Sudden Death 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 74
from 5 reviewers
Review Date:
Kino Lorber's 4K UHD Blu-ray of Sudden Death delivers impressive visuals and audio, revitalizing a classic Van Damme actioner from its prime era.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
DTS-HD MA
Video: 78
Sudden Death's 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a commendable enhancement with a new 4K master from the original camera negative, augmented by Dolby Vision HDR grading. This release ensures richly dark sequences and vibrant details, though slightly darker than expected. The overall presentation is significantly improved, offering a filmic texture with depth and vibrant color balance.
Audio: 81
Sudden Death's 4K UHD Blu Ray offers punchy audio with DTS-HD Master Audio tracks in 5.1 and 2.0, effectively capturing action-packed sequences with a lively surround experience. While the 2.0 track is satisfactory, the 5.1 mix shines, delivering clear dialogue, dynamic effects, and engaging explosions, making it the preferred choice.
Extra: 59
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Sudden Death" offers a standout new audio commentary by Mike Leeder and Ross Boyask that delves into the film's context and Van Damme's career. While extras are limited, they include archival interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and vintage trailers, providing insights for action enthusiasts.
Movie: 69
Peter Hyams' Sudden Death balances its Die Hard-inspired thrills with sly humor, engagingly delivering Van Damme’s athletic action against a backdrop of imaginative plot twists, like the ludicrous mascot fight and explosive hockey scenes, on Kino Lorber's 4K Blu-ray enhanced by Dolby Vision.
Video: 78
Kino Lorber's 4K UHD release of "Sudden Death" presents a meticulously crafted visual upgrade, derived from a new 16-bit 4K master sourced from the original camera negative. The presentation is framed in the theatrical 2.39:1 aspect ratio, skilfully incorporating Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, which significantly enhance Peter Hyams' characteristic dark cinematography. Known for his use of shadow and practical lighting, Hyams’ moody aesthetic is excellently realized with this transfer. The Dolby Vision grade intensifies the depth of the film’s dark scenes with inky blacks, while brighter scenes, such as the brilliantly lit hockey sequences, punctuate the visuals with gleaming clarity. In indoor or nighttime sequences, there is a noticeable tonal darkness which some report as slightly excessive, though resolvable within the refined setups of HDR.
The detailed quality of this release is evident in the nuanced textures and fine grain that retain the film's original cinematic feel. While not always razor-sharp due to the inherently softer source cinematography, the restoration certainly surpasses any previous Blu-ray renditions in definition and clarity—especially evident in wide shots of Pittsburgh. Although color saturation is modest, moments saturated in red or blue offer striking contrasts that pop without causing over-saturation. The color balance maintains health and precision across primary tones, even as flesh tones occasionally hint at a digital warmth.
Overall, image stability is robust with no noticeable degradation or artifacts, ensuring "Sudden Death" benefits substantially from this 4K presentation. While some find the HDR application occasionally darkening to certain sequences, the rich detail and vibrant dynamics on display exhibit a marked enhancement over prior releases, making it a worthy addition for enthusiasts of classic mid-nineties action cinema.
Audio: 81
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Sudden Death" provides a robust audio experience that caters to action enthusiasts through its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks. The 5.1 track, echoing the theatrical release, vividly captures the dynamic energy of live stadium effects, from the boisterous audience cheers to the tactile crunch of hockey players hitting the boards. The mix showcases aggressive directionality, with potent helicopter rotors and fireworks explosions that bring a sense of immersive realism to intense sequences. Although the low-end response can feel flat in certain scenes, such as during body checks or face punches, the explosive soundscapes of parking lot car blasts and rocket launchers are undeniably impactful.
Conversely, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, suitable for simpler setups like stereo soundbars or TV speakers, maintains clarity in dialogue and sufficient engagement with John Debney's score. However, it lacks some of the oomph found in its 5.1 counterpart. This suggests it might be a fold-down of the 5.1 mix rather than a true reflection of the original theatrical sound, as evidenced by the absence of certain boom effects. Nonetheless, this stereo option still effectively conveys the film’s tension and action-packed sequences for viewers without surround sound capabilities.
Ultimately, the 5.1 track is the standout choice for those seeking a fully enveloping auditory experience. The sound design engineers’ enthusiasm shines through with constant rear speaker activity and frequent LFE presence, ensuring an exhilarating ride that makes full use of the surround system’s potential. From explosive shootouts to grounded hockey game hits, this powerful mix elevates "Sudden Death" into a high-octane audio adventure.
Extras: 59
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of "Sudden Death" is complemented by a notable audio commentary by film historians Mike Leeder and Ross Boyask, who dive into the film's context, Jean-Claude Van Damme's career trajectory, and Peter Hyams's filmography. Despite limited extras, the disc offers rich archival content, enhancing the viewer's understanding of the film's production and impact. The featured commentary is distinguished by its blend of factual discourse and personal insights, revealing the commentators' genuine appreciation for the subject matter. Additional archival footage includes interviews with principal cast and crew, providing perspectives on character development and filming experiences. The inclusion of behind-the-scenes footage further enriches this collection, although it primarily resides on the Region A-locked Blu-ray.
Extras included in this disc:
- NEW Commentary: Mike Leeder and Ross Boyask discuss the film's impact and Van Damme's career.
- Interview Clips: Discussions with cast/crew on "Sudden Death."
- Behind the Scenes Footage: Raw shooting footage.
- Trailer: Original U.S. theatrical trailer.
- TV Spots: Vintage promotional TV spots.
Movie: 69
Peter Hyams' "Sudden Death" (1995), now presented in 4K UHD Blu-ray, exemplifies the quintessential '90s action cinema. Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, the film is a homage to the era's Die Hard-inspired action thrillers. With the visceral energy of its lead and a penchant for over-the-top action, "Sudden Death" serves as a gaudy yet entertaining vessel for Van Damme's martial arts charisma. The use of the Pittsburgh sports arena as a backdrop provides an unusual but effective setting, transforming a hockey game into a frantic hostage scenario involving the Vice President. Van Damme, portraying firefighter-turned-arena security guard Darren McCord, channels both earnest heroism and campy bravado as he maneuvers through terrorists, disarms bombs, and improbably blends into the game itself.
The film's narrative, while a clear Die Hard derivative, distinguishes itself through its unapologetic embrace of absurdity. Initially conceived as an action parody, traces of tongue-in-cheek humor remain. The infamous mascot fight scene, featuring Van Damme's bizarre yet memorable tussle with Iceburgh, epitomizes the film's balance between sincere action and ridiculous spectacle. Powers Boothe as antagonist Joshua Foss is diabolically charismatic, making his presence captivating amidst the chaos. However, the script occasionally falters with clichéd dialogue trying to masquerade as gritty realism.
Hyams' direction keeps the pace thrillingly relentless, leveraging dramatic action sequences such as crane-dropped helicopters and exhilarating ice hockey intermissions to maintain tension and engagement. Despite relying on predictable tropes and heavy back-screen effects that sometimes detract from realism, "Sudden Death" remains a guilty pleasure within Van Damme's filmography. It is an entertaining archetype of its genre - a film that invites viewers to indulge in its bombastic action without taking it too seriously. Thus, this 4K release offers both nostalgia-soaked fun for fans of ’90s action films and an example of Van Damme in his prime cinematic years.
Total: 74
"Sudden Death" in its 4K UHD Blu-ray release receives a laudable transformation courtesy of Kino Lorber. This mid-'90s action-thriller, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, epitomizes the era's cinematic penchant for high-energy, derivative action tropes. The film, positioned as a "Die Hard" homage, succeeds in delivering relentless action, driven by Van Damme's physical prowess and Powers Boothe's memorable villainy. The new 4K transfer showcases a vibrant visual enhancement and dynamic audio quality, elevating the viewing experience to newfound technical heights, albeit devoid of extensive additional features.
While some may dismiss "Sudden Death" for its formulaic approach, it remains an essential entry in Van Damme's filmography. While echoing the thrills of similar genre films of its time, it carves its niche with its engaging pace and spectacle. The comparison to contemporaneous works such as "Final Score" underscores the durable appeal and fulfilling nostalgia inherent to this action classic. Fans rejoicing at this pristine version will find much to celebrate as it effectively illuminates the film's 1990s action sensibilities.
In conclusion, Kino Lorber's 4K release serves as an invitation to revisit a film that captures both mainstream entertainment and Van Damme's action star appeal. Those familiar with his work will appreciate the technical enhancements, even if the film itself remains unchanged in narrative depth. For long-time fans, and those curious about this period of action cinema, this release is a recommended cinematic journey.
avforums review by Casimir HarlowRead review here
Video: 80
And be clear about the fact that this 4K - and probably more obviously the Dolby Vision HDR grade - absolutely revels in this, and laps up all those inky, infinitely deep, blacks....
Audio: 80
a couple of punchy options John Debney's score is pretty serviceably decent for this kind of fare, helping build the tension and keep the momentum going for the duration, with dialogue given priority (and...
Extras: 60
Sudden Death only sports one new extra - which makes it to the 4K disc itself, with the remainder mostly archival fluff on the accompanying, Region A-locked Blu-ray disc....
Movie: 70
, it was Van Damme and Hyams who massaged the story into shape as an action vehicle, making the most of the unusual locale (the stadium's retractable roof being a high point), and the convenient inconvenience...
Total: 80
The same concept has been used for two remakes - the Dave Bautista-starring Final Score, and the Michael Jai White comedy-actioner, Welcome to Sudden Death - both of which should only remind of everything...
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 90
Some shadow nuances there look dated, so even with the darkening, they are better balanced on the new 4K master....
Audio: 90
However, there is a lot of intense action throughout the film that benefits from the 5.1 track....
Extras: 70
4K BLU-RAY DISC Commentary - in this exclusive new audio commentary, critic Mike Leeder and critic and filmmaker Ross Boyask discuss the exact period in which Sudden Death appeared and the general expectations...
Movie: 70
After the Vice President's personal bodyguards are killed, Foss announces that he will blow up the building unless the U.S. government transfers a billion dollars to his multiple private accounts before...
Total: 80
However, despite being an R-rated film, Sudden Death was conceived to be a big crowd pleaser, so it prioritizes flashy action rather than unique characters....
The Digital Bits review by Stephen BjorkRead review here
Video: 90
Sudden Death is actually the second Hyams film to be released in 4K after Narrow Margin, although there’s a significant difference this time....
Audio: 85
While there would have been a matrixed 2.0 surround track for theatres that weren’t equipped for digital sound, It’s not clear if this 2.0 track is that theatrical mix, or a fold-down of the 5.1....
Extras: 70
They also talk about screenwriter Gene Quintano, and detail the many revisions that the script passed through before it finally reached the screen in 1995....
Movie: 70
Their earlier films usually emphasize fighting, but after a while, the fighting ends up becoming secondary to conventional gunplay action....
Total: 79
Hyams and Van Damme still bring enough to the table to make it worth watching, but like nearly any “Die Hard on a” film, it’s not exactly Die Hard....
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 60
Sudden Death doesn’t have a lot of saturation to play with, an aside for certain moments like the red underground area JCVD hides in partway through....
Audio: 80
That said, the cars erupting in the parking lot make for a dated if potent boom, helicopter rotors have a potent sound, and fireworks bring force with their explosions....
Extras: 60
The Blu-ray also includes eight minutes of interviews with the cast/crew, seven minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, and trailers....
Movie: 60
Without its hero to generate energy, Sudden Death falls back on Powers Booth, a preposterous villain who downs cigarettes, shoots innocent people, and spews responses that sound more like something a Hollywood...
Total: 65
...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
The film is sharp in detail with wonderful color realization, and since it was shot on film, there is a fine layer of grain throughout....
Audio: 80
It’s clear from listening that the sound designer and engineers are having so much fun with the surround sound mix....
Extras: 40
This disc also boasts vintage interview clips, behind-the-scenes footage and a whole slew of trailers for action flicks like Hard Target, The Emerald Forest, etc....
Movie: 80
If you can think of a famous sequence from Die Hard, Sudden Death will have something similar—whether it’s our hero dangling and swinging from high up above, or a shot of a villain falling to their death,...
Total: 80
Kino Lorber’s release may not have a wealth of features, but it crashes the net with its technical stats, providing an amazing visual presentation and an audio mix that goes over the top in all the right...
Director: Peter Hyams
Actors: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Powers Boothe, Raymond J. Barry
PlotDarren McCord, a former fireman haunted by a tragic event, works as a fire inspector at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. During the Stanley Cup Finals game, he takes his two children to the arena, hoping to enjoy the game. However, their evening turns into a nightmare when a group of terrorists led by the ruthless Joshua Foss seizes control of the arena, taking the Vice President of the United States and several others hostage in an executive suite. Foss demands a hefty ransom and plants explosives throughout the building, threatening to detonate them if his demands are not met.
As chaos ensues, Darren discovers his daughter's kidnapping by the terrorists. Driven by desperation and his firefighting training, he stealthily moves through the arena, thwarting the terrorists' plans and deactivating explosives. Darren faces numerous challenges and fights intense battles to disrupt Foss's scheme and protect his children and the stadium's occupants. His resourcefulness and courage are put to the ultimate test as he races against time to prevent a catastrophic disaster.
Writers: Karen Elise Baldwin, Gene Quintano
Release Date: 22 Dec 1995
Runtime: 111 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English