Amos & Andrew Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Amos & Andrew," encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and delivered in 1080p resolution, maintains an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. While the encoding could have been more refined to mitigate occasional grain fluctuations, the overall organic appearance remains consistent, even on large screens. The master, though not new, is relatively recent and free of significant digital manipulations, preserving the film's fundamental visual qualities such as definition, clarity, depth, and fluidity. However, there is room for improvement in color reproduction, particularly in darker scenes where shadow definition can be lacking. Nevertheless, this Blu-ray release marks a noticeable upgrade over its earlier DVD version.

Clarity and detail in this release appear slightly above average. The film's inherent visual aesthetic has always been somewhat murky, but the current presentation manages to enhance detail without excessive sharpness. Depth is average with movements maintaining a cinematic quality and minimal blur. Black levels are generally rich, avoiding major crushing, albeit some details do get obscured in shadows. Colors retain a lifelike quality and appear bold with commendable blue hues. Skin tones remain natural and consistent across scenes, enhancing close-up details such as stubble and wrinkles. Minor artifacts like grain and occasional specs of dirt are present but do not significantly detract from the viewing experience.

This Blu-ray is Region-A locked, necessitating a Region-A or Region-Free player for access. Overall, despite minor areas for enhancement, this release offers the best visual quality available for "Amos & Andrew" to date.

The Blu-ray release of "Amos & Andrew" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, presenting an active sound design that handles the film's audio requirements proficiently. While it is apparent that the soundtrack has not undergone remastering, the essentials are in commendably good condition, offering excellent clarity, sharpness, and overall balance throughout. Importantly, the audio presentation is devoid of any pops, cracks, dropouts, or digital distortions, standing as a testament to the well-maintained quality of the original track.

Dynamics are well-represented within the stereo mix, performing the essential task without any particular aspect standing out excessively. The balance is effectively managed, ensuring a consistent auditory experience. Dialogue reproduction is notably clean and clear, facilitating easy understanding of conversations amidst the film's events. However, it is worth noting that the audio track lacks a low-frequency extension and surround sound presentation, which would typically enhance the immersive quality in a home theater setup. Despite these limitations, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track provides a solid and reliable audio experience for "Amos & Andrew."

The Blu-ray release of "Amos & Andrew" disappointingly lacks any supplemental features, which diminishes the overall value for fans and collectors. Previous releases of the film included various extras such as behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, and director's commentary that provided insightful context and enriched the viewing experience. Given the film's age and cultural significance, the absence of these materials on this Blu-ray edition feels like a missed opportunity to deliver a comprehensive package.

Extras included in this disc:

None: No supplemental material or bonus features are included.

"Amos & Andrew," directed by E. Max Frye and now available on Blu-ray through Olive Films, stars Samuel L. Jackson and Nicolas Cage. The film tackles themes of racial bias and systemic hypocrisy, elements that remain glaringly relevant today. Samuel L. Jackson plays Andrew Sterling, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist whose new home in a white suburban enclave becomes a battleground for prejudice when he's mistaken for a burglar almost immediately upon arrival. The local police, led by Chief Cecil Tolliver (Dabney Coleman), seize the opportunity to leverage the situation for political gain by coercing small-time thief Amos Odell (Nicolas Cage) into prolonging the faux-hostage scenario.

While intended as a layered action comedy, the film often struggles with the tonal balance between humor and social commentary. The premise feels contrived, and the narrative stumbles through its attempts at satire, resulting in a somewhat clunky execution. Despite this, the performances by Jackson and Cage are commendable; Jackson brings gravitas to his role as the beleaguered newcomer, while Cage injects a dose of unpredictability and eccentricity that adds flavor to his otherwise dubious character.

Cinematography by Walt Lloyd, known for his work on "Short Cuts" and "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," does offer some visual distinction, but it can't entirely lift the film from its structural shortcomings. The screenplay features several sharp one-liners but could have benefited from more incisive dialogue to drive its points home. Overall, "Amos & Andrew" may appeal primarily to dedicated fans of Jackson and Cage or those interested in a nostalgic look at the early '90s cultural landscape, but it falls short of being an essential revisit for broader audiences.

E. Max Frye’s "Amos & Andrew" is an early '90s buddy comedy that features Nicolas Cage and Samuel L. Jackson in leading roles, a noteworthy curiosity given their later prominence. The film attempts to blend action and comedy, producing a mix that offers some entertaining moments but largely feels dated by today's standards. Olive Films has done a solid job with the Blu-ray release; its technical presentation is commendable with a clear picture and balanced audio, catering well to an enjoyable viewing experience.

Despite these attributes, the Blu-ray edition falls short in areas that might attract collectors or fans looking for more depth. It lacks any supplementary features, commentary tracks, or behind-the-scenes footage that could have enriched the understanding of the film's context and creation. This omission may leave potential buyers feeling somewhat shortchanged, especially those who value additional content as much as the film itself.

In conclusion, while "Amos & Andrew" might stir some nostalgic appeal and provide a few laughs thanks to its lead actors' early performances, the overall package from Olive Films doesn't offer anything beyond a competent rendition of the original movie. For die-hard fans of the film or those nostalgic for early performances of Cage and Jackson, it is recommendable. However, others might find it lacking in substance beyond its basic presentation.