Do the Right Thing 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

In this 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Do the Right Thing," Universal has masterfully balanced fidelity to the original film’s visual aesthetic with the enhanced capabilities of modern home video technology. The leap in quality from the previous Blu-ray versions is immediately apparent, with a 2160p resolution that elevates the film’s picture to breathtaking heights. The application of HDR broadens the visual canvas, allowing for a more dynamic representation of the film's diverse color palette, from deep, immersive blacks to vibrant reds and blues that pop with life. The grain structure is preserved, maintaining the filmic texture that Director Spike Lee and Cinematographer Ernest Dickerson intended, ensuring a visual experience that is as authentic as it is stunning.

The meticulous remastering process, supervised by Dickerson himself, ensures that every frame benefits from increased detail and texture. This is especially evident in the Brooklyn setting, where street exteriors reveal a new level of intricacy in brickwork, pavement, and storefronts. The color grading and HDR treatment amplify the heat and tension inherent in the film’s narrative, using a mix of warm hues to simulate the swelter of summer and cooler blues to signify the night, all the while enhancing flesh tones and ensuring deep, naturalistic shadow details. The fine grain and flawless compression highlight the exemplary work done in maintaining the integrity of the original film stock, free from any print degradation or encoding artifacts.

Universal’s 4K UHD release sets a benchmark for how classic films should be treated for contemporary home video formats. It not only showcases significant technical improvements over previous releases but does so in a way that remains true to the film’s original cinematic vision. From the calibration of black levels to the nuanced increase in overall resolution and depth, this version articulates a clearer, more detailed viewing experience. Additionally, aspects like the improved visibility within darker scenes and the vibrant presentation of colors serve to deepen the engagement with Lee’s seminal work, making it an essential upgrade for fans and cinephiles alike.

The newly released DTS:X mix of "Do the Right Thing" offers an exemplar audio presentation, enhancing the film's audial experience without compromising its original essence. The mix adeptly utilizes the entire soundstage, expanding it with off-camera sounds and low-level ambience to create a more immersive experience. With precise object versus channel-based mixing, the sound design does not overwhelm but rather enriches the film's thematic elements. Music, a central element within the narrative, is presented with added depth, seamlessly integrating into various scenes and moments, such as the intense “Fight the Power” opening and the duel between boomboxes, displaying exceptional clarity and low-end strength for a profound auditory impact.

The soundtrack, dynamic and meticulously balanced, engages the listener with its detailed and vibrant presentation. Key moments like the use of overhead speakers during a fire hydrant scene demonstrate an impressive command of spatial audio, immersing the viewer in the bustling streets of Bed-Stuy. This attention to environmental sounds, from street noise to crowd dynamics in the film’s climax, alongside Bill Lee’s jazz-infused score and varied music tracks, are given new life with terrific fidelity and robust bass. The dialogue remains crystal clear, ensuring that every word is heard amidst the rich tapestry of sounds, symbolizing a significant upgrade in audio quality that complements the visual enhancements of the 4K UHD Blu-ray.

Moreover, the incorporation of Spanish and French DTS 5.1 audio tracks, alongside English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles, broadens accessibility, ensuring a wider audience can appreciate the intricacies of this enhanced audio mix. The DTS:X mix does not merely elevate the film's original audio but transforms it into an immersive sonic experience that is both impressive and respectful of its source material, proving to be a worthwhile improvement for enthusiasts seeking depth and immersion in their auditory experience.

Universal’s 4K UHD release of "Do the Right Thing" not only enhances the visual and audio experience but significantly enriches it with a comprehensive array of extras, perfectly blending past and present insights into the film's creation and impact. This edition notably includes a new introduction by Spike Lee, providing fresh perspective alongside the meticulously preserved features from the 2009 release. Highlights include the deep-dive documentaries "Making Do The Right Thing" and "Do The Right Thing: 20 Years Later," offering unparalleled access to the thoughts and reflections of the cast and crew. The inclusion of both 20th Anniversary audio commentary by Spike Lee and the archival commentary featuring key production members adds invaluable context. Moreover, the disc's array of deleted and extended scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and the Cannes 1989 press conference invites fans into the film's meticulous crafting process and its celebrated unveiling. Additionally, the package is elevated by its embossed slipcover and digital copy code, though it falls short of encompassing all Criterion exclusive features, presenting a choice for collectors between comprehensive content and this edition’s unique offerings.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW! Spike Lee Intro: Fresh insights from the director.
• Do The Right Thing: 20 Years Later: A retrospective documentary.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Eleven scenes not included in the final film.
• Behind the Scenes: Spike Lee’s personal footage from the set.
• Making Do The Right Thing: In-depth exploration of the film's creation.
• Editor Barry Brown Interview: Insights from the film's editor.
• The Riot Sequence: Storyboard gallery.
• Cannes, 1989: Coverage of the film at Cannes Film Festival.
• Trailers: Original theatrical trailer and TV spots.
• 20th Anniversary Edition Feature Commentary with Director Spike Lee: Director’s insights on the film's impact.
• Audio Commentary with Director Spike Lee, Director of Photography Ernest Dickerson, Production Designer Wynn Thomas, and Actor Joie Lee: A collaborative look back at the making of the film.

Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing," presented in the 4K UHD Blu-ray format, encapsulates an intensely vibrant and restless Brooklyn during the scorching summer of 1989. Universal's upgrade to 2160p/HDR video and a DTS:X soundtrack marks a significant enhancement, offering a visual and auditory experience that is as sharp and dynamic as the societal tensions it portrays. The movie, a kaleidoscopic exploration of a racially diverse neighborhood on the verge, benefits immeasurably from these technical enhancements. Every drop of sweat, strand of hair, and grimace of frustration is rendered with painstaking clarity, drawing the viewer deeper into the simmering conflict at the heart of Sal's pizzeria.

At the center of this conflict is the Wall of Fame, devoid of African American heroes in a predominantly black community, a potent symbol of the racial tensions brewing. As temperatures soar to the hundreds, so too do the tempers of the film’s characters, each richly drawn and complex. Mookie (Spike Lee), struggling to navigate his way through life's responsibilities; Sal (Danny Aiello), whose paternalistic benevolence masks a deeper refusal to engage with changing times; and Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), whose demands for representation kickstart a confrontation that escalates into tragedy. Their stories unfold against a backdrop of a neighborhood teetering on the edge, captured brilliantly with Lee's masterful direction and now enhanced by state-of-the-art visual and audio remastering.

"Do the Right Thing" remains a relentless, uncompromising reflection on racial discord and community cohesion. Through the enhanced clarity and depth of the 4K UHD presentation, viewers are invited into the heart of Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy area, experiencing the heat, tension, and complexity of emotions up close. This format does justice to Lee’s vibrant tableau, thrusting its audience into a world where every gesture and word carries the weight of history and the potential for change. As much about the characters as it is about their environment, this edition underscores the film's enduring relevance, ensuring its message - and challenge - is as potent and immediate as ever.

Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" has traversed over three decades, emerging as an ever-pertinent commentary on racial tension and societal issues, its relevance undiminished in the light of contemporary events. This is accentuated in its transition to 4K UHD Blu-ray by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, delivering a pristine audiovisual experience that breathes life into the vibrant and gritty streets of Bed-Stuy. The Ultra HD video restoration is paired with a novel DTS:X immersive sound mix, enhancing the cinematic journey while maintaining the film's original grit and message. The inclusion of both new and legacy bonus content provides a comprehensive look into the making and lasting impact of this cinematic masterpiece, satisfying long-time fans and newcomers alike.

The 4K release stands out as not just a technological upgrade, but a necessary acquisition for cinephiles, offering the best possible viewing experience contrasted against previous formats. The flawless picture quality and impeccable audio are complemented by meaningful carryover content found on the UHD disc, providing thorough insights into the film's creation and themes. This release, devoid of new extras but brimming with significant carryover content, gets lauded as the definitive way to experience "Do the Right Thing,” meriting the highest recommendations.

In conclusion, Spike Lee's “Do the Right Thing” in its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation is a cultural artifact that has not only stood the test of time but has also gained additional layers of significance in today’s context. This release is more than a mere enhancement in picture and sound quality; it's an invitation to revisit, reflect, and reengage with a piece of cinema that remains as compelling, challenging, and essential as ever. Both visually stunning and emotionally resonant, it is a must-have for film enthusiasts eager to experience the best iteration of Lee’s unparalleled vision. Very highly recommended, this release ensures that the pivotal messages of “Do the Right Thing” persist, ideally serving as a reminder of past struggles as society moves towards understanding and change.