Blow Out Blu-ray Review

The Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray release of "Blow Out" impresses with its stunning visual presentation. Presented in a 2.4:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, this 1080p high-definition transfer was meticulously created from the original 35mm camera negative. Supervised by director Brian De Palma and processed on a Scanity Datacine in 2K resolution, the restoration involved extensive cleanup operations, including MTI’s DRS system and Pixel Farm’s PFClean system for removing dirt, debris, scratches, and other imperfections. Additionally, Digital Vision’s DVNR system was employed for small dirt, grain, and noise reduction. The result is a remarkably pristine image with a healthy layer of grain that enhances the filmic quality without becoming obtrusive.

Color reproduction in this release is particularly noteworthy, with vibrant and accurate hues that pay homage to Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography. Black levels are deep and well-defined, preserving detail in shadow-delineated scenes. The palette boasts rich and dynamic tones that could have easily faltered without meticulous color correction. Although inferior to the more recently available 4K UHD version, this Blu-ray edition still delivers remarkable clarity, contrast, and texture. Close-ups reveal intricate details, while background elements remain discernible, contributing to the immersive visual experience.

Overall, Criterion's effort to restore "Blow Out" for this Blu-ray release results in a first-class rendering of a cinematic classic. The presentation is nearly spotless, maintaining the film's original grain structure while eliminating significant stability issues and noise reduction artifacts. This Blu-ray stands as an engaging showcase of director Brian De Palma's meticulous craftsmanship and remains a must-have for fans of visually compelling cinema.

Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of "Blow Out" boasts an impressively remastered audio track that preserves the film's intricate soundscape. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 surround track, remastered from a 35mm magnetic track with Dolby A noise reduction, exhibits significant clarity and balance. Every nuance, from Pino Donaggio’s evocative score to the various subtle sound effects, is meticulously presented. The soundtrack pays homage to the original 2.0 surround format; however, enabling Dolby Pro Logic decoding on your receiver will optimize playback. While the absence of a 5.1 mix may be noticeable to some audiophiles, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track ensures that every dialogue line remains crisp and stable, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.

The moody flute, sax solos, and stings from Donaggio’s composition are rendered with pristine fidelity, filling the room with a rich and immersive aural ambiance. Additionally, the sound effects — from rustling leaves and croaking frogs to the intricate clicks of recording equipment — are vividly clear and engaging. The front-based aural presentation is anchored by impeccable stereo separation across front channels and occasional bleeds to rear channels, creating a wider soundscape. The dynamic range is commendable, providing adequate power to impactful sounds such as Jack's final scream and percussive elements of the score while maintaining gentle finesse for subtler ambient noises.

Dialogue consistently emerges as clear and coherent, despite competing with complex layers of music and effects. This consistency is achieved without any distortion, hiss, or crackle, which ensures an uninterrupted listening experience. Overall, although lacking a modern 5.1 surround option, Criterion’s technical execution in preserving and enhancing this 2.0 track ensures that "Blow Out" remains an undeniably captivating auditory experience.

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of "Blow Out" boasts an impressive suite of extras that delve deep into the film’s production with great professionalism and technical detail. The highlight is the exclusive and extensive one-hour interview where Brian De Palma discusses every aspect of Blow Out, from its conception—drawing influences from Blow-Up and The Conversation—to technical challenges, like the theft and reshooting of several reels. Actress Nancy Allen’s 25-minute interview provides valuable insights into her collaboration with De Palma and John Travolta, alongside her unique character approach. Renowned Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown’s interview offers technical demonstrations of the equipment and reminisces about its usage in the film. The extras are further enriched by a collection of on-set photographs by Louis Goldman and De Palma’s experimental feature Murder à la Mod. This package is rounded off with the original theatrical trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Noah Baumbach Interviews Brian De Palma: Extensive discussion on various production aspects.
• Nancy Allen Interview: Insights into her role, collaboration, and filming experiences.
• Garrett Brown Interview: Demonstrations and discussions on using the Steadicam.
• Louis Goldman Photographs: Collection of 24 on-set and publicity stills.
• Murder à la Mod: Brian De Palma's 1967 experimental feature film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer of Blow Out.
• Booklet: Essay by Michael Sragow and Pauline Kael’s original review.

Brian De Palma’s "Blow Out" exemplifies the intricacies of a multi-layered thriller that intertwines political conspiracy with personal drama, forging an immersive cinematic experience. Through its engaging narrative, the film captures the tension and mistrust emblematic of seventies-era cinema. John Travolta’s portrayal of Jack Terry, a meticulous sound-effects specialist, elevates the plot as he inadvertently records a car accident that reveals a sinister assassination. The authentic character performances by Nancy Allen and John Lithgow accentuate the suspense, while Vilmos Zsigmond's exemplary cinematography and Pino Donaggio’s evocative score augment the psychological undercurrents of paranoia throughout the film.

The Criterion Collection Blu-ray release of "Blow Out" offers an impressive array of technical and supplemental features. The video transfer is director-approved, remastered at 1080p/AVC MPEG-4, showcasing the film’s visual finesse with clarity. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Surround accurately preserves the movie’s critical sound design elements. Admirable extras include De Palma’s early experimental film "Murder a la Mod," exclusive interviews, and an illustrated booklet containing insightful essays and critiques. This package serves both aficionados and new viewers, presenting "Blow Out" not just as a suspenseful tale but as a technically accomplished and thematically rich cinematic gem, resonating with contemporary themes of political corruption and media manipulation.

Brian De Palma's Blow Out often draws comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock and Michelangelo Antonioni's work, particularly Blow-Up, yet it stands firmly on its own with a unique voice and message. The film strikingly captures America's deep-seated fixation on political scandals, conspiracies, and violence, offering a gripping study of idealism gone awry. Criterion’s Blu-ray release impeccably presents this modern classic with an exceptional 1080p transfer that highlights De Palma's refined craftsmanship and artistic mastery.

The narrative intertwines elements from various filmmaking greats like Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation, yet De Palma reaches a creative pinnacle with Blow Out that encapsulates the best of cinema. The Blu-ray edition truly does justice to the film’s visual and auditory brilliance, featuring a meticulously restored picture and an outstanding soundtrack. Moreover, it includes insightful supplemental materials, enhancing the viewing experience and providing deeper context to the film’s rich thematic layers.

In conclusion, Criterion's release of Blow Out is an extraordinary offering that remains both dazzling and relevant four decades after its original release. The technical quality of the transfer, combined with comprehensive bonus features, makes it an essential addition to any cinephile’s collection. This Blu-ray edition is not one to be overlooked and earns our highest recommendation.