New York, New York Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "New York, New York" presents a 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.66:1, offering a unique but inconsistent visual experience. Intentionally designed to emulate the Technicolor process, the film achieves vibrant reds and rosy skin tones, yet this results in increased grain throughout the picture. Scene transitions like dissolves and wipes exacerbate the issue, doubling grain due to old optical methods. Some viewers may find this distracting, especially when paired with the halo type softness likely caused by a Pro-mist filter. Despite these complications, black levels during night scenes remain deep, and contrast is well-maintained. Print damage is minimal, though occasional specks and dirt persist.

The source material for this film is in relatively good condition compared to other MGM releases from the same period. While there is some graininess and slight instability in certain sequences—most notably during Francine's rendition of "But the World Goes Round," which involved elaborate rear projection—the overall integrity of the visual elements is maintained. Colors are rich and varied without oversaturation or blooming, and black levels retain sufficient detail for night scenes. The Blu-ray's triumph lies in conveying the stylized artificiality of the sets and costumes, supporting Scorsese's vision of an old-style studio film. This effort brings an elaborate charm to scenes that feature distinctly unreal settings such as soundstage forests and clearly artificial street scenes.

Ultimately, this Blu-ray transfers Scorsese’s intention well, emphasizing a period feel akin to classic Technicolor musicals, though this comes at the cost of heavy grain and occasional image softness. Colors are lush and vibrant, particularly the bold reds, while close-ups offer commendable clarity without reaching the razor-sharp quality of contemporary high-definition transfers. Though not a flawless restoration, this release serves as an authentic representation of the film's original look, balancing artistic intention with technical limitations.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "New York, New York" maintains a front-centric soundstage, consistent with Scorsese's objective to replicate the auditory aesthetics of Forties and Fifties films. This choice results in a predominantly mono-like experience with a wide front presence. Dialogue is consistently clear and anchored centrally, ensuring intelligibility, although some volume adjustments may be necessary for optimal clarity. The musical numbers showcase spaciousness but lack substantial stereo separation, rendering a somewhat flat and restrained performance. Notably, Liza Minnelli's vocals are well-recorded, preserving their pleasant tonality.

Atmospheric effects, such as crowd noise in party scenes, occasionally bleed into the rear channels, providing limited surround activity. The subwoofer adds modest oomph during musical numbers but fails to infuse the audio with the dynamic range and fidelity one might expect. While the jazz instrumentals from the soundtrack possess certain moments of vibrancy, they generally lack the desired warmth and dimension. Despite some instances where the music reaches stirring heights, like the climax of the title tune, the overall impact remains workmanlike rather than noteworthy.

In summary, while free from hiss, snap, or distortion that could detract from the listening experience, the audio track lacks the dynamism and enveloping surround experience typically anticipated from a 5.1 mix. It's a respectable but unremarkable effort that serves the film's nostalgic intent but may leave audiophiles longing for a more enriching auditory spectacle.

The Blu-ray extras for "New York, New York" provide a deep dive into the making of this classic film, capturing both historical context and technical insights. Martin Scorsese's commentary, combined with film critic Carrie Rickey's academic perspectives, offers a comprehensive analysis that delves into thematic elements and Scorsese's unique directorial approach. Additional interviews with Liza Minnelli and cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs provide personal anecdotes and technical discussions, such as lighting complexities and improvisational challenges. Despite the absence of a main menu and bookmarking functionality, the supplements ported over from previous editions ensure a rich viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Martin Scorsese and Carrie Rickey: Insightful discussion on the filmmaking process and influences.
• Introduction by Martin Scorsese: Overview of artistic goals.
• Alternate Takes/Deleted Scenes: Improvisational scenes highlighting actors' flexibility.
• The New York, New York Stories (Part One & Two): Comprehensive making-of documentary.
• Liza on ‘New York, New York’: Liza Minnelli's personal and professional experiences.
• Commentary on Selected Scenes by Laszlo Kovacs: Technical details on specific challenging shots.
• Theatrical Trailers: Original marketing materials.

Martin Scorsese's "New York, New York" on Blu-ray delivers a mixed technical presentation that may disappoint film enthusiasts. The transfer is framed in a 1.66:1 widescreen aspect ratio and utilizes 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoding, but the resultant image is grainy and lacks clarity, particularly around scene transitions. This graininess is especially intrusive, detracting from the attempt to emulate the vivid visual style of three-strip Technicolor. On the audio side, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound track effectively enhances the musical numbers, with dialogue predominantly channelled through the center speaker and ambient effects, like crowd noise, utilizing the surround channels.

The film itself is an ambitious endeavor that fuses Golden Age Hollywood musical aesthetics with '70s-era gritty realism. Scorsese’s effort to combine emotionally charged acting with artificial studio settings results in a uniquely dichotomous experience that oscillates between entrancing and frustrating. Robert De Niro's portrayal of the brash saxophonist Jimmy Doyle contrasts sharply with Liza Minnelli's performance as USO singer Francine Evans, both acting within an atmosphere of exaggerated Technicolor and vintage soundstages. Despite the film’s stylistic ambitions, it suffers from a meandering script and uneven pacing, which can make its nearly three-hour runtime feel bloated.

"New York, New York" remains a polarizing piece, often misunderstood yet gaining appreciation over time. It chronicles the turbulent relationship between Jimmy and Francine amid the evolving post-war music scene. The juxtaposition of meticulously recreated musical set pieces with intense, improvisational acting underlines the film's exploration of a darker, more realistic narrative within an otherwise idealized genre. For aficionados of classic Hollywood musicals and students of film history, Scorsese’s work offers a rich tableau of artistic intention and homage, though casual viewers might find its unconventional blend less palatable.

The Blu-ray release of Martin Scorsese's "New York, New York" represents a significant upgrade over prior home video versions, offering a balanced and authentic experience that aligns with the director’s vision. Earlier releases allowed viewers to appreciate the characters and performances but failed to convey the meticulously crafted, ornately artificial surroundings crucial to understanding Scorsese’s design. The Blu-ray corrects this imbalance, presenting an accurate rendition of the film’s aesthetic intricacies. This technical fidelity ensures that audiences can assess the film on its intended merits, devoid of previous distortions.

The film itself, a lavish tribute to Hollywood musicals of yesteryear, elicits diverse reactions—ranging from admiration to indifference and even disdain. Despite some structural weaknesses, "New York, New York" stands as a meticulously crafted narrative on romance, ambition, and personal growth. Performances by Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli are commendable and add depth to this visually rich but somewhat uneven Scorsese endeavor. The Blu-ray edition provides good quality video, decent audio, and a respectable collection of supplemental materials for deeper engagement.

Of one thing I'm certain: The Blu-ray of "New York, New York" is the first home video version that provides a fair opportunity to experience the full extent of what Scorsese was attempting to accomplish. Prior versions allowed you to experience the characters and the performances well enough, but not the ornately artificial surroundings in which they played out their ill-fated romance. But since the elaborate decor must receive equal emphasis for Scorsese's frame to make sense, all prior versions gave a lopsided presentation. The Blu-ray restores the balance. That doesn't necessarily mean you'll like the film, but at least you'll be judging it on its own merits. As an accurate representation, the Blu-ray is recommended. As a film, enter at your own risk.