Tough Guys Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image presentation of "Tough Guys" on Blu-ray delivers a visually engaging look that adheres well to its 80s roots. Displayed in a 2.34:1 aspect ratio, the transfer features exaggerated but cleanly represented colors, capturing bold primaries from ornate costuming and graffiti with hearty reds and blues. The palette also includes bright neons, vivid reds, and purples typical of the era, balanced with natural skintones. Detail levels are sharp and crisp, accurately delineating facial features, fibrous suits, and set decoration. Unexpected textures, such as Douglas's toned physique, display with notable sharpness, enhancing the overall clarity.

Additionally, the Blu-ray’s black levels are commendable, providing a sense of inky depths along with excellent shadow separation and dimension. Grain is fine and filmic, preserving an authentic cinematic feel. The source material is evidently in good shape; however, the main titles do exhibit a few thick scratches and slight speckling, though these imperfections are isolated to the opening credits. Once the film progresses beyond the titles, it maintains superior visual quality throughout. This recent 1080p transfer ensures that distance and frame information are preserved with secure delineation, making for an overall enjoyable viewing experience.

The audio presentation of the "Tough Guys" Blu-ray is skillfully executed, leveraging a robust English DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix that perfectly complements the film's action-comedy essence. While favoring clear, sharp dialogue, the mix also showcases potent sound effects that create an immersive experience. This is evident in scenes featuring train crashes and physical altercations, where both loud and deep sound effects deliver a genuine punch. The background atmospherics further enhance environments such as bars, gyms, and exterior settings, maintaining a clear sense of spatiality and presence.

Moreover, the mix ensures that bursts of activity do not push the limits to shrill extremes, preserving a well-balanced audio track. The occasional heavy-handed sound effects reminiscent of typical 80s action films—like canned punches and gunfire—are rendered naturally and evenly dispersed throughout the soundstage. Notably, even complex audio scenes, such as the dynamic ambience of a concert with music and crowd noise, are handled adeptly without overshadowing the dialogue or cluttering the mix.

Overall, this DTS-HD MA 2.0 soundtrack is virtually flawless for its genre. Levels remain consistent without requiring frequent adjustments, making for a comfortable listening experience from start to finish. The audio presentation undoubtedly elevates the film, delivering a clear and engaging auditory experience that remains faithful to its period sound while ensuring modern audio fidelity.

The Blu Ray release of "Tough Guys" offers a well-rounded set of extras that cater to enthusiasts of the genre. The highlight is an engaging audio commentary by director Jeff Kanew, providing invaluable insights into the filmmaking process. Although the disc doesn’t include a theatrical trailer for "Tough Guys," it compensates with a robust selection of trailers for other classic films, offering a nostalgic glimpse into cinema history. This comprehensive package enriches the viewing experience, presenting both informative content and nostalgic value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Jeff Kanew: Director's insights and perspectives.
• The Indian Fighter: Trailer
• The Vikings: Trailer
• Run Silent, Run Deep: Trailer
• Cast A Giant Shadow: Trailer
• The Scalphunters: Trailer
• The Unforgiven: Trailer
• The Devil's Disciple: Trailer

Tough Guys (1986) reunites Hollywood veterans Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster in a charming, if slightly uneven, comedy from director Jeff Kanew. The film thrives on the palpable chemistry of its leading duo, who effortlessly revive their practiced dynamic for this tale of aging gangsters adjusting to a modern world. Douglas and Lancaster play Harry and Archie, career criminals just released from a 30-year stint in prison, now confronting a drastically changed Los Angeles. The essence of their roles leverages their Hollywood legacy, blending drama and light-hearted action as they attempt to recapture their old spirit in a new, often bewildering environment.

The screenplay, penned by James Orr and Jim Cruickshank, presents intriguing scenarios as Harry and Archie navigate a city that has moved on without them. The film's core appeal lies in the pair's interactions, from humorous encounters with street gangs to awkward adjustments to modern inventions like weightlifting machines and customer service jobs. While Lancaster's subtler portrayal is affected by his recent health issues, Douglas’s energetic performance provides a counterbalance, injecting vigor even in overtly gratuitous scenes showing off his physique. These comedic moments, highlighted by Dana Carvey's starstruck parole officer and Eli Wallach’s bungling hitman, offer an enjoyable if not profound viewing experience.

Despite its charm, Tough Guys occasionally struggles with aimlessness and an overly saccharine tone, partly due to Lancaster's condition following a major surgery. Still, the film maintains a robust "fish-out-of-water" energy that makes the journey entertaining. It benefits greatly from strong supporting performances by Charles Durning and Carvey, who add depth to the predictable plot. While it may fall short of its full potential, Tough Guys is ultimately a delightful showcase of Douglas and Lancaster’s enduring star power and mutual respect, making their final collaborative effort a nostalgic and pleasurable watch.

"Tough Guys" is a nostalgic action-comedy that brings together silver screen legends Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster in a final hurrah. The film embraces its character-driven narrative, effectively capturing the endearing chemistry and playful banter between Douglas and Lancaster. Their portrayals of aged crooks adjusting to life outside prison add depth to the humor and underscore the inevitable clash with modernity. The storyline reaches its zenith with a riveting train heist sequence, providing an engaging mix of action and character development. However, some moments of introduced violence feel more perfunctory than essential, occasionally detracting from the film's organic charm.

The supporting cast bolsters the film's entertainment value, adding layers to the central narrative without overshadowing the main duo. The visually appealing Blu-ray presentation by Kino Lorber Studio Classics highlights the era's aesthetics with robust A/V quality, ensuring a visually clear and audibly crisp experience. The inclusion of an engaging audio commentary adds value, providing insights that enrich the viewing experience for aficionados of classic cinema.

In conclusion, "Tough Guys" may not be the most groundbreaking entry in the filmographies of Douglas and Lancaster, but it masterfully blends humor, action, and nostalgia into an entertaining package. The Blu-ray release is highly recommended for enthusiasts of these iconic actors, offering both technical excellence and nostalgic charm worth revisiting.