Taxi Driver Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Taxi Driver" benefits enormously from a pristine 4K digital restoration, supervised by renowned cinematographer Michael Chapman and acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. This 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer captures the film’s intricate period colors naturally, presenting vivid textures and rich primaries without over-emphasis. The restoration showcases lifelike fleshtones with mildly warm essences that appear realistic and rosy without becoming unnaturally pinkish. The enhanced resolution provides noticeable detail and sharpness, highlighting delineation and texture in clothing, physical features, and onscreen objects. Long-range visuals feature above-average clarity and depth, amplifying the film’s exceptional cinematography. With contrast spot-on and blacks exhibiting excellent dynamic range, even mixed content on screen pops. Dark sequences display appreciable dimension and shadow detail, augmenting depth perception. The grainy texture remains undisturbed and occasionally more emphasized but never detracts from the viewing experience.

The meticulous restoration ensures an inherent grit remains intact, befitting the film's dark tone and setting in 1970s New York City. The city’s vibrant details are rendered with marvelous clarity, stunning depth, and realistic hues. The source material appears clean and vibrant with no visible blemishes. Colors like the reds in Palantine's political office and the yellows of Bickle’s cab maintain boldness without artificiality, while black levels are inky and deep, brimming with well-defined details even in nighttime sequences. Whites remain cool yet avoid harshness, with close-ups revealing every skin blemish and hair follicle clearly. The wonderful texture enhancing each frame authenticates the high-definition experience while preserving the original celluloid feel. Sony's careful avoidance of edge enhancement, noise reduction, or fine-tuning elements ensures banding and mosquito noise are non-existent in this exemplary transfer.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Taxi Driver" is a standout feature, reappearing consistently across various editions since its initial 2011 release. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, faithfully reproduced, excels in delivering exceptional fidelity and dynamic range. Bernard Herrmann’s iconic score, rich in both dramatic and jazzy elements, retains its original allure and clarity, enhancing the film's immersive quality. While the film does not rely heavily on surround activity, the subtle nuances of New York City's streets, gunfire bursts, and voiceover narrations are conveyed with impressive clarity and presence.

The audio format includes English 5.1 DTS-HD MA and a variety of Dolby Digital 5.1 languages, offering a comprehensive range of subtitles from English SDH to Turkish. The lossless soundtrack perfectly complements the video transfer, seamlessly blending Herrmann’s music with the film's sound design. The low-frequency extension provides warm and weighty bass tones that enhance the overall audio experience without overwhelming the listener. The dialogue remains clean and clear, even in softly spoken or offhand moments, ensuring that viewers never struggle to understand the words. The track is free from distortion and surface defects, maintaining an immersive and pleasing auditory experience throughout.

The surround sound presentation is perfectly balanced with center-focused dialogue and well-integrated score and ambient sounds utilizing all additional channels effectively. Every aspect of the sound design registers optimally, providing a full-bodied and engaging audio experience that parallels the visual excellence of this Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "Taxi Driver" offers an extensive set of extra features, combining new and previously available material for a comprehensive exploration of the film. Notable is the inclusion of a new Q&A from the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, featuring key cast and crew discussions on various aspects of production, with interesting anecdotes and insights. The three audio commentaries remain essential, each providing unique perspectives, standout being the original Scorsese-Schrader track from 1986. Other highlights include featurettes covering the film's production, influence, and legacy, as well as detailed examinations of character development and storyboarding techniques. Enthusiasts of the film will find these extras both engaging and enlightening.

Extras included in this disc:

• 2016 Tribeca Film Festival Taxi Driver Q&A: Cast and crew discuss the making of the film.
• Original 1986 Audio Commentary with Scorsese and Schrader: Insights from the original Criterion Collection release.
• Audio Commentary with Professor Robert Kolker: Analytical perspective on the film.
• Audio Commentary with Schrader: Recent reflections by the screenwriter.
• Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver: Director discusses the film’s genesis and style.
• Producing Taxi Driver: Producer’s insights into the film's production.
• God’s Lonely Man: Examination of Travis Bickle's character.
• Taxi Driver Stories: Real NYC cabbies reflect on their experiences.
• Travis’ New York: Insights into the city’s atmosphere during filming.
• Travis’ New York Locations: Comparative look at NYC locations from 1976 to 2006.
• Making Taxi Driver: Comprehensive documentary on the filmmaking process.
• Introduction to Storyboards by Martin Scorsese: Director’s approach to storyboarding.
• Storyboard to Film Comparisons: Visuals comparing storyboards to final scenes.
• Galleries: Various behind-the-scenes photos and artwork.

Martin Scorsese's 1976 classic "Taxi Driver" is expertly preserved in this 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray, ensuring both new viewers and long-time fans can appreciate the film in its historical context and technical brilliance. The urban nightmare of Manhattan’s steamy streets, capably captured by cinematographer Michael Chapman, is presented in a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer that remains faithful to the film’s original visual aesthetic. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track sustains Bernard Herrmann’s haunting score, seamlessly intertwining it with the film’s atmospheric soundscapes. Advanced as it is for its time, the restoration retains the gritty realism that forms the backbone of Scorsese's storytelling.

At its core, "Taxi Driver" explores the disturbing psychological portrait of Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), an ex-Marine haunted by insomnia and societal alienation. His nocturnal cab rides through New York City’s underbelly shine as both a character study and a critique of urban decay. De Niro's portrayal is mesmerizing, deftly navigating the fine line between sympathy and revulsion for Travis’ deteriorating sanity. Supporting performances by Cybill Shepherd, Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, and Albert Brooks further enrich the narrative, each bringing depth and nuance to their roles. The interaction between Travis and his environment unfolds methodically, allowing viewers to get under his skin and experience his isolation and mounting paranoia.

Scorsese’s direction partnered with Paul Schrader's screenplay crafts an absorbing, if unsettling, tale ripe with social commentary. The film’s climactic violence may overshadow its subtleties, but it's these nuances that ground the story in emotional authenticity. The imagery of New York's seedy locales combined with Herrmann’s final score hypnotizes the audience as much today as it did at its premiere. While newly added features like the 40-minute Q&A from the Tribeca Film Festival build on the film’s legacy, this release underscores how "Taxi Driver" remains a timeless piece that questions societal norms and delves into the complexity of the human psyche.

The 40th Anniversary Blu-ray release of "Taxi Driver" is a significant offering for newcomers to this timeless classic, presenting the best video and audio quality to date. Martin Scorsese's iconic film, starring Robert De Niro as the unforgettable Travis Bickle, continues to captivate audiences with its powerful performances and provocative themes. The new edition includes an essential sit-down with key cast and crew, enhancing the experience for first-time viewers. However, for those who own the 2011 Blu-ray edition, which boasts superior packaging and similar transfer quality, the decision to upgrade may be less compelling despite the additional content.

Although the 40th Anniversary Edition features stellar technical presentations, akin to its predecessor, and comprehensive supplements, it falls short by not providing a UHD release. This omission might deter current owners from purchasing it again. Nevertheless, the absence of flashy packaging does not significantly detract from the value this edition offers, particularly for those who prioritize digital copies or have not yet experienced the film in high definition.

In conclusion, while the 40th Anniversary Edition of "Taxi Driver" may not justify an upgrade for long-time collectors, it stands as the definitive Blu-ray release for newcomers. The excellent audio-visual quality and extensive extras make it a worthy addition to any film enthusiast's library. Sony has set a high bar in preserving the legacy of this landmark film, ensuring that its influence will continue to resonate for years to come.