Cruising 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Cruising" from Arrow Video is an impressive display of meticulous restoration work. Utilizing a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative, this transfer is encoded in HEVC (H.265) with a resolution of 3840 x 2160p in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The disc incorporates High Dynamic Range (HDR) with Dolby Vision, enhancing depth and realism in primary colors while preserving the photographic style's harsher tones. Clarity is exceptional, revealing fine details from skin textures to the gritty textures of New York's streets. The black levels are particularly noteworthy, handling low-light scenes with precision, whereas whites offer striking prominence, particularly in highlights.

Despite some typical graininess in darker scenes due to low light, the film retains a compelling organic and filmic appearance. Both shadow detail and color grading, notably the blue to purple hues, have seen significant enhancements compared to previous 1080p releases. This results in more vibrant palettes and a marked improvement in nighttime scenes and club sequences. The grain field is consistently resolved without any digital compressions artifacts, ensuring that the original filmic look is meticulously preserved.

This stunning visual presentation reflects Arrow Video's dedication, as detailed in an extensive essay by James Pearcey and James White included with the release. While there are minor instances of crush in the darkest materials, these are outweighed by the overall clarity and vibrancy achieved through this state-of-the-art restoration process. This edition demonstrates technical proficiency in translating the gritty, dark aesthetic of "Cruising" into a visually captivating experience for 4K UHD audiences.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Cruising" provides a distinctive and immersive experience with three DTS-HD Master Audio options: 1.0 mono, 2.0 stereo, and 5.1 surround sound. The original mono track delivers remarkable clarity and precision, maintaining an authentic theatrical experience with its crisp midrange that gives the dialogue a slightly edgy yet natural feel. This track's limited field remains mostly bass-neutral but doesn't sacrifice the underlying depth needed to keep low-frequency output active.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo track offers a more robust soundscape, characterized by a thicker and bolder audio profile. It accentuates the bass while maintaining effective left/right separation, making it louder and fuller compared to the mono track. Although this enhances the overall auditory presence, it slightly diminishes the authentic ‘being there’ feeling intrinsic to the mono experience. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track further expands the surround experience by incorporating ambient and stereo effects with considerable separation through side and rear channels. It captures street and club noise effectively, maintaining a layered but somewhat ‘thick’ sound, particularly in dialogue delivery.

Overall, while both the stereo and surround offerings remain consistent with previous iterations from the 2007 remaster, the audio mix choices present an engaging toggling experience where users can sense soundstages expanding in vibrance and depth. Despite little deviation from past versions, dialogue across all tracks is delivered cleanly and clearly. English subtitles are available for added accessibility. Restoration efforts were led by Bad Princess Productions with additional support from Þorsteinn Gíslason, ensuring the integrity of this legacy film's audio representation.

The 4K UHD Blu Ray of "Cruising" delivers a comprehensive array of technical and diverse bonus content, both archival and newly produced, enriching the overall viewing experience. The extras delve deep into the film's contentious history, with several audio commentaries featuring director William Friedkin and insights from key contributors like film critic Mark Kermode. The alternative "Heavy Leather" score, a feature-length electronic pop and industrial soundscape from Pentagram Home Video, offers a fresh auditory take. The disc includes deleted scenes, original on-set audio, archival featurettes exploring the film's origins and controversies, and an extensive photo gallery. The package is further complemented by engaging interviews, a visual essay on cultural symbolism within the film, and a robust collector's book.

Extras included in this disc:

• Ultra HD Audio Commentary: With director William Friedkin (archive)
• Audio Commentary: With William Friedkin moderated by Mark Kermode (archive)
• Alternate Musical Score: "Heavy Leather" by Pentagram Home Video
• Deleted Scenes: And alternative footage
• On-set Audio: Club scenes and protest coverage
• Brand-New Interviews: Featuring Karen Allen, Randy Jurgensen
• Visual Essay: Breaking the Codes by David McGillivray
• Archival Featurettes: History and controversy of "Cruising"
• Extensive Image Gallery: Featuring promotional material and sketches
• 120-page Collector's Book: With articles and essays related to the film's context

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of "Cruising," directed by William Friedkin, revisits a film that has generated considerable controversy since its original release in 1980. Loosely based on Gerald Walker's novel, this film delves into the crime thriller genre with Al Pacino starring as Steve Burns, an undercover police officer exploring New York's homosexual club scene to catch a serial killer. The film's narrative struggles with a lack of clear direction, as it touches on but never fully explores crucial character developments, such as Burns' potential self-discovery and psychological stress. Some viewers find Pacino's performance lacking depth, perhaps due to conflicting dynamics on set or the film's challenging subject matter.

Friedkin’s signature style is evident, with a raw and unvarnished portrayal of the urban landscape and the underground club scene, focusing significantly on gritty realism. The director doesn't shy away from portraying the violence and intense atmosphere inherent to the storyline, an approach that sparked significant backlash from the LGBT community at the time for its depiction of gay culture. Despite its intentions of showcasing a specific subculture, the film leaves viewers yearning for more empathetic character engagement and a narrative coherent enough to engage with the deep themes it hints at.

Technically, this 4K restoration from original 35mm camera negatives brings new life to Friedkin’s controversial work. It offers enhanced visual fidelity that accentuates the film's grimy aesthetic while maintaining the cinematography's coarse textures. The release is complemented by comprehensive supplemental content that may provide context for this provocative piece. While opinions on the narrative's execution vary, "Cruising" remains an enduring component of Friedkin’s filmography, with its new release presenting an opportunity to reflect on its misunderstood legacy.

William Friedkin's 'Cruising' remains a polarizing piece of cinema, imbued with controversy and confusion. Though originally criticized for its obscure narrative and lack of empathetic character portrayal, the film has acquired a niche following over time. While some view it as a curious artifact that shockingly explores dark subject matter within an unrepresentative segment of the homosexual world, others find its provocative depictions exploitative. Despite the mismanaged storytelling, the film continues to intrigue viewers, largely due to its enigmatic final scene.

The 4K UHD re-release from Arrow Video elevates 'Cruising' both technically and contextually. The native 4K scan offers precise detail with robust coloring, deep blacks, and potent whites that maintain the filmic texture. Audio is presented across three tracks—original 1.0 mono and remixed 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround—with many preferring the authenticity of the original mix. This edition is not just about enhanced visuals and sound; it’s replete with extensive new and classic supplementary materials that significantly enhance the viewing experience, making it an enticing proposition for collectors and completists alike.

In conclusion, whether or not you appreciate 'Cruising' narratively, this release is undeniably well-crafted in terms of technical merits and supplementary content. It stands as a testament to Arrow Video's commitment to reviving classic films for modern audiences. For aficionados of Friedkin's work or Al Pacino’s eclectic performances, this edition is an essential piece, whilst inviting new engagement with its controversial legacy.