8 Million Ways to Die Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "8 Million Ways to Die" presents an AVC encoded image with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, diverging from the original theatrical ratio of 1.85:1. This transfer, presumably provided by 20th Century Fox, offers a generally pleasant viewing experience, although it is evident that the presentation shows its age. The HD mastering is somewhat vague, and there are notable imperfections, particularly around the opening credits where dirt and debris are conspicuous. However, these issues become less intrusive as the movie progresses. Textural details are satisfactorily rendered, especially in close-ups of characters like Jeff Bridges, where facial particulars and emotional nuances are clearly visible.

Color reproduction is satisfactory, with costume hues and the L.A. atmosphere well-represented, providing natural skin tones and a reliable portrayal of blue skies and greenery. The film retains its grain structure, maintaining a film-like quality that aficionados will appreciate. The overall delineation protects the integrity of the frame information, ensuring that both foregrounds and backgrounds remain distinct. While black levels are adequate and ensure darker scenes avoid becoming overly murky, some scenes do exhibit a flatter appearance, which is typical of transfers from this era.

The source material for this Blu-ray appears to be in reasonably good shape, minus occasional speckling and minor artifacts such as a vertical piece of dirt appearing momentarily. Overall, while this transfer does not deliver outstanding image quality, it meets the basic expectations for Blu-ray releases of 1980s films under the Kino Lorber label. The balance of detail, color accuracy, and minimal noise ensures that viewers can enjoy a relatively immersive viewing experience that holds up against similar aged-film releases.

The audio presentation of "8 Million Ways to Die" on Blu-ray features a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track that, while not exceedingly dynamic, delivers a competent and faithful rendering of the film's soundscape. Dialogue exchanges are secure, handling everything from intense screaming matches to softer, more intimate moments without distortion. The track is properly mixed, ensuring the spoken word remains clear and never overpowered by other elements, despite not achieving a crisply pristine level. The overall sound quality preserves the film's 1980s atmosphere admirably, offering a clean synth vibe laden with strong instrumentation, which underscores the action effectively.

James Newton Howard's score, a quintessential blend of electronic and orchestral music typical of 80s cop dramas, is a highlight. The audio mix allows it to shine through prominently, enhancing its classic appeal. Ambient sounds, including street life and echoed interiors, are preserved with precision, adding a layer of authenticity to the sonic environment. Gunfire and explosions are handled adequately; while they do not leap out with dynamic force, they integrate well within the scene, contributing to an evenhanded audio experience.

In essence, this track achieves a solid balance between dialogue, score, and sound effects, ensuring that viewers can immerse themselves comfortably in the film's narrative without audio distractions. While it may not offer the grand dynamism some audiophiles might hope for, it maintains a professional level of clarity and fidelity appropriate for its genre and period. Subtitles are available in English SDH, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.

The Blu-ray release of "8 Million Ways to Die" boasts a robust assortment of extras that provide an in-depth look at the film’s production and legacy. Film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson offer an insightful audio commentary, covering the movie’s history, source material, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Noteworthy interviews include Rosanna Arquette's candid reflections on her role and interactions with director Hal Ashby, Andy Garcia's detailed recounting of his audition and creative process, and Alexandra Paul's honest appraisal of her challenging experience on set. Author Lawrence Block also shares his literary journey and initial reactions to the film adaptation. Collectively, these features offer a comprehensive and engaging supplementary exploration of a controversial yet intriguing project.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary by Film Historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson: Thorough discussion of the film's history, direction, acting, and script.

Interview with Rosanna Arquette: Actress shares memories about on-set drama and her experiences with co-stars and Hal Ashby.

Interview with Andy Garcia: Actor provides insights into his audition process and creative divergence from the script.

Interview with Alexandra Paul: Actress expresses her dissatisfaction with the initial release and elaborates on her unique audition strategy.

Interview with Lawrence Block: Author discusses his Matt Scudder book series and his limited involvement in the adaptation.

Trailers: A collection of six trailers for other Kino Lorber releases.

Hal Ashby's final directorial effort, 8 Million Ways to Die, reflects the troubled legacy of his later career, marred by creative and legal disputes with the studio. Although Ashby was a significant figure in 1970s cinema, his 1980s ventures, particularly this film, suffered from behind-the-scenes chaos that ultimately saw Ashby removed from the project. The post-production editing is notably poor, making an incoherent mess out of what could have been a compelling story. Adapted from a Lawrence Block novel by Oliver Stone, the movie falls short due to fragmented character arcs and an inconsistent script that deviates into ad-libbing.

The plot centers on Matt Scudder, played with gritty realism by Jeff Bridges. Scudder is an alcoholic former cop spiraling into self-destruction after killing a drug dealer in front of the dealer's family. His life further unravels into a chaotic pursuit to solve the murder of a prostitute named Sunny. This drags him into the orbit of another sex worker, Sarah (Rosanna Arquette), and the villainous drug kingpin Angel Moldonado, brought to life with menacing charm by Andy Garcia. The narrative is clunky and haphazardly jumps between scenes that lack coherence or continuity. The most significant aspect of Scudder’s character—his struggle with alcoholism—is introduced but never meaningfully explored, leaving his motivations murky at best.

Despite its flaws, the film is partially redeemed by strong performances from Bridges and Garcia. Bridges portrays Scudder’s intoxicated descent with intensity, while Garcia’s portrayal of the menacing, Sno-Cones-loving Angel adds a layer of unexpected entertainment. However, their dynamic struggles to salvage a story plagued by disjointed editing and unclear direction. The chemistry between the two leads provides sporadic moments of energy in an otherwise lethargic film. Hence, 8 Million Ways to Die remains an intriguing case of what might have been—a lost opportunity more memorable for its behind-the-scenes drama than for its onscreen narrative.

8 Million Ways to Die is a mixed bag that ultimately delivers an entertaining yet flawed experience. The Blu-ray release showcases the film's striking visuals and vibrant 1980s aesthetic well, but the limitations of the source material are evident. The restoration work is commendable, presenting a sharp and colorful transfer that enhances the L.A. backdrop and nocturnal atmosphere that director Hal Ashby aimed for. However, despite the visual excellence, the film's narrative structure leaves much to be desired, straddling the line between noir detective drama and improvised character study without fully committing to either.

Jeff Bridges' performance stands out as a highlight, providing depth to a story that wavers between coherence and confusion. His portrayal of a deeply flawed detective navigates the film's uneven pace, lending it a sense of gravitas even when other elements falter. The supporting cast, including Rosanna Arquette, deliver solid performances, but their efforts are often undermined by a disjointed script and lacklustre direction. The film’s attempt to emulate a Miami Vice-style aesthetic falls short, hampered by less inventive choreography and an uninspired soundtrack that fails to elevate the onscreen action.

In conclusion, 8 Million Ways to Die offers glimpses of brilliance through its performances and atmospheric visuals but stumbles in its execution. Whether intended as a noir drama or a character study, it never quite finds its footing, resulting in a film that's intriguing for its behind-the-scenes history as much as for its content. For fans of Jeff Bridges or Hal Ashby, this Blu-ray is worth a look, though it's unlikely to become a standout within the library of '80s crime dramas.