Dressed to Kill Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer of "Dressed to Kill" impresses with a consistently commendable video quality, preserving the film's inherent aesthetic while significantly improving clarity and detail compared to previous standard definition releases. The print is in excellent condition, with very few white specks and the complete absence of scratches, hairs, or stains. The film's 35mm grain structure remains intact, showing no signs of overzealous digital noise reduction, though grain can appear heavy in some scenes. Despite this, it maintains a pleasing texture without becoming abrasive or harsh. Notably, edge enhancement is not a concern. Improved sharpness ensures that fine details in facial features, clothing textures, and other areas are apparent.

The film's intentional soft focus and dreamy haze, achieved through diffusion filters, are faithfully reproduced. The encode's 2.35:1 aspect ratio captures the cinematography's controlled softness and slightly flared highlights. Given the stylistic choices made during filming, contrast is naturally limited but well-balanced, allowing for adequate clarity and detailed visibility. Blacks are deep and true, partnered with strong shadow delineation. Colors show bright, natural saturation in primary hues, maintaining skin tones that appear consistent and natural. While minor splotchiness in certain color gradients can be detected, major compression artifacts are commendably minimal.

Overall, the heavily-stylized images are presented exceptionally well on this Blu-ray, making it the finest video presentation of Brian De Palma's classic thriller to date. Fans should understand that while this transfer offers significant improvements over DVD releases, it respects the original artistic choices, making it the best visual rendition available while preserving the film's unique visual style.

The audio presentation of "Dressed to Kill" on Blu Ray features a re-engineered DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that strikes a commendable balance between respecting the original monaural recording and enhancing it for contemporary multi-channel systems. MGM has taken considerable efforts to leverage the rear channels effectively, adding substantial immersion with ambient sounds such as the relentless pounding of shower water, the bustling noise of New York City traffic, the rhythm of subway cars, and the dynamic weather elements like wind and rain during storms. One particularly noteworthy auditory experience is the scene where Peter eavesdrops on a cop's conversation, with tinny voices channeled from front speakers while ambient police station noises enrich the surrounding audio field. Pino Donaggio's orchestral score is delivered with rich, clear highs and robust lows, maintaining its emotional impact.

Nevertheless, the alterations to the original mono mix have not been without critique. Some specific elements—voices, car traffic, birds chirping—stand out as artificially loud and localized, slightly detracting from the intended naturalism. Despite these concerns, the overall soundfield is generally more immersive, with front soundstage atmospherics showing strong channel separation and precise dialogue clarity. Dynamics and acoustics remain stable and well balanced, with lower frequencies contributing significant depth and weight to the experience. Although purists may regret the absence of a lossless original mono track, the high-resolution mix largely compensates with a satisfactory auditory presentation that complements the film's narrative and visual elements. The disc also includes a French Dolby Digital mono dub and optional subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish for broader accessibility.

The Blu-ray edition of "Dressed to Kill" includes a comprehensive and engaging set of extra features that will captivate any fan of Brian De Palma's work. Highlights include "The Making of a Thriller," an exhaustive 44-minute documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew members, although Michael Caine is notably absent. Another intriguing feature is "A Film Comparison: The 3 Versions of Dressed to Kill," which showcases the variances between the unrated, R-rated, and TV versions of key scenes. The film's editing challenges are addressed in "Slashing Dressed to Kill," with De Palma, Nancy Allen, and Keith Gordon discussing the alterations needed to obtain an R-rating. Keith Gordon also offers a personal reflection on De Palma's brilliance in "Dressed to Kill: An Appreciation." The disc is rounded out by an engaging photo gallery and the original theatrical trailer in HD.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of a Thriller Documentary: Comprehensive retrospective with cast and crew interviews.
• A Film Comparison - The 3 Versions of Dressed to Kill: Differences between unrated, R-rated, and TV versions.
• Slashing Dressed to Kill: Interview on cuts made to avoid an X-rating.
• Dressed to Kill: An Appreciation by Keith Gordon: Director Keith Gordon's analysis of the film.
• Photo Gallery: Collection of stills for fans.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: The film's original preview.

Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill is a provocative thriller that meshes Hitchcockian suspense with the stylistic excesses of Italian giallo cinema. The 1980 film opened to controversy due to its explicit content and perceived negative stereotypes, but also garnered admiration for its technical craftsmanship. The narrative centers on Kate (Angie Dickinson), a sexually dissatisfied housewife who gets embroiled in a dangerous game after a museum encounter spirals into violence. De Palma's direction leverages elaborate camera movements, split-diopter shots, and long Steadicam sequences to create a visually captivating experience, although some may find his techniques overtly showy.

The film starts with a jarring shower scene that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, positioning the viewer in the role of voyeur. This theme continues as Kate navigates the Metropolitan Museum in an elaborate, nearly dialogue-free sequence reminiscent of Hitchcock's Vertigo. De Palma's homage to Hitchcock is clear, particularly in the recurring motifs of voyeurism and psychological tension. However, unlike Hitchcock's suggestive style, De Palma opts for full-frontal nudity and graphic violence, ensuring the audience is both shocked and intrigued.

Character performances are a mixed bag. Angie Dickinson convincingly portrays the frustrated Kate, while Michael Caine brings his dependable gravitas to Dr. Elliott. Keith Gordon's role as Kate’s tech-savvy son adds a layer of ingenuity, albeit with limited screen presence. Nancy Allen and Dennis Franz provide adequate support, with Franz's sarcastic cop offering a touch of levity. Despite its convoluted plot and controversial themes, Dressed to Kill stands out for De Palma's masterful craft and commitment to creating an atmosphere of tension and eroticism. While its narrative plausibility and character portrayals might falter, the film remains a compelling exercise in style over substance, capturing both the sleaze and allure of its late 1970s New York setting.

Dressed to Kill, directed by Brian De Palma, remains an intriguing and stylish entry in the thriller genre. The film features captivating performances by Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, and Nancy Allen, and showcases De Palma's signature Hitchcockian influences with its meticulous composition and suspenseful narrative. Though it may not carry the same shock value as when it first premiered, its blend of sleaze and grand guignol shocks still provides a stimulating experience.

The Blu-ray release from MGM delivers a notable improvement in both video and audio quality. The visuals are crisp and vibrant, bringing De Palma's inspired camerawork to life, although some may find parts of the audio presentation somewhat artificial. Crucially, this edition includes all the special features from the DVD release, offering fans a comprehensive package despite the relatively small collection of extras.

In conclusion, while 'Dressed to Kill' might not surpass classics like 'Scarface' in intensity, it holds its own as an enjoyable and well-crafted thriller. With its upgraded Blu-ray presentation making it even more compelling for both new watchers and long-time fans, this release is unquestionably recommended.