Clockers Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Clockers," presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, offers a 1080p transfer that reflects its sources' mixed qualities. Sourced from an outdated master provided by Universal Pictures, some significant drawbacks persist. The stylization used for dramatic impact results in an overly harsh and smeary appearance, loss of fine details, and prominent black crush in darker scenes. Contrast levels are inconsistently boosted, leading to scattered instances of crushed highlights that were part of the original cinematography. The color scheme also suffers due to these issues, though image stability remains commendably high. Overall, the presentation is marred by a need for rebalancing and restoration to match its potential visual fidelity.

Despite these drawbacks, "Clockers" benefits from a largely colorful and detailed transfer that does justice to its film stock variations. The movie, shot on both 16mm and 35mm, features a fluctuating grain structure that enhances its filmic quality—providing a gritty 16mm texture in some scenes while maintaining cleaner, more nuanced visuals in others. This combination works well to support Malik Hassan Sayeed's impactful cinematography, crucial for the film’s intense character interactions. Generally, details hold up well, exhibiting only occasional softness. Colors are vivid and primary hues stand out, further aiding visual engagement. Deep, inky black levels contribute a notable three-dimensionality to the imagery, making the presentation mostly satisfactory despite the mentioned issues.

Overall, while the 1080p transfer and solid image stability offer a dynamic viewing experience enhanced by vivid colors and deep blacks, there are undeniable flaws due to the aged source material. A comprehensive restoration could significantly enhance these visual elements, overcoming its current limitations and providing a more balanced cinematic experience that better serves the film's stylistic intentions.

The audio presentation on the "Clockers" Blu-ray is highly commendable, offering two options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Both tracks excel in delivering a clean and clear audio experience, but the lossless 5.1 track stands out due to its immersive sound quality. Dynamic intensity during action scenes is solid, showcasing excellent clarity, sharpness, and depth. Terence Blanchard's score also benefits significantly from the 5.1 mix, spreading through the channels and enhancing the overall viewing experience.

While the film is not heavily reliant on action scenes, the 5.1 track deftly supports atmospheric elements, with side and rear channels engaging sporadically to enrich the soundstage. The 2.0 mix, though less expansive, still provides a robust auditory presentation, making it an equally viable choice depending on user preference. Dialogue remains consistently clean and intelligible in both tracks, accompanied by well-placed sound effects without any noticeable anomalies or level imbalances. Optional English SDH subtitles further complement the audio tracks for comprehensive accessibility.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Clockers" offer a mixed bag, predominantly centered around an insightful audio commentary by film critic Kameron Austin Collins. Collins provides a comprehensive overview of the film's origins, including Martin Scorsese's initial involvement, and delves deeply into the narrative themes, casting decisions, and musical choices that define the movie. However, the bonus content falls short by lacking more direct input from director Spike Lee himself. This omission is felt keenly given Lee's distinctive vision and impact on the film. In addition to the commentary, the disc includes a collection of vintage and additional trailers. While useful for those seeking more context or nostalgic appeal, these extras might not satisfy those hoping for richer behind-the-scenes content or interviews.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Film Critic Kameron Austin Collins on film origins and themes.
• Trailer: Vintage trailer for "Clockers."
• Additional Trailers: For "Mo' Better Blues," "Jungle Fever," "Crooklyn," "Summer of Sam."

Spike Lee's "Clockers" (1995) delves deep into the gritty realities of urban life and the harsh socio-cultural barriers that define it. The film, adapted from Richard Price's acclaimed novel, centers on the aftermath of a drug-related murder and the ensuing investigation by two seasoned detectives, Rocco Klein (Harvey Keitel) and Larry Mazilli (John Turturro). The narrative intricately explores the dynamics of survival in the projects through the story of Strike Dunham (Mekhi Phifer), a young drug pusher under the wing of kingpin Rodney Little (Delroy Lindo). The complexity of relationships and life within the projects is poignantly portrayed, emphasizing the cyclical nature of poverty and crime.

Spike Lee's authentic portrayal of the inner city is both a strength and a potential weakness. While some critics argue that the film glamorizes the grittiness of Richard Price's novel, it nonetheless delivers a visceral representation of street life. The film deftly examines the psychological barriers imposed on residents by societal isolation and the relentless grip of drug culture. The contrast between Strike's perilous profession and his brother Victor's (Isaiah Washington) honest albeit low-paying work accentuates the limited pathways available to those trapped in such environments.

The murder mystery at the heart of "Clockers" sets the stage for a nuanced exploration of justice and morality. Detective Rocco Klein, in particular, emerges as a compelling character whose pursuit of truth goes beyond mere professional duty, touching on his personal quest for meaning in a desensitized world. Despite minor criticisms regarding the predictability of certain plot twists, Lee's direction, coupled with standout performances from the cast, makes "Clockers" a thought-provoking and engaging film. Supported by an evocative soundtrack featuring artists like Seal, KRS-One, and Chaka Khan, "Clockers" is a noteworthy addition to Spike Lee's filmography and a significant commentary on life in the inner city.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Clockers" presents a mixed bag for fans of the film and collectors. The film itself, directed by Spike Lee, may not be his magnum opus of the 1990s but remains a compelling thriller that skillfully blends murder mystery elements with potent social commentary. The stellar cast, featuring Mekhi Phifer, Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Keith David, Delroy Lindo, and Isaiah Washington, delivers performances that justify revisiting this film.

On the technical side, Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Clockers" falls short of expectations. While the video transfer is solid, it doesn't meet the standards one would hope for in a modern Blu-ray release. The master provided by Universal Pictures is riddled with issues that detract from the film's visual fidelity. This type of master may have passed for a decent DVD release in the past but is inadequate by today's Blu-ray quality standards. Despite these shortcomings, the audio mixes are commendable, providing a balanced and immersive auditory experience.

In conclusion, "Clockers" on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber is a release that ultimately leaves much to be desired. The film's inherent worth and the excellent performances from the cast make it a compelling watch, but the technical deficiencies of this Blu-ray iteration cannot be overlooked. Clockers desperately needs a proper makeover so that it actually looks like film. The current master that Universal Pictures handed to Kino Lorber for this Blu-ray release has so many issues that I actually don't think it is suitable even for a DVD release. There are plenty of old masters that have produced decent releases, but this master isn't good enough. So, my advice is to skip this Blu-ray release and use your savings to pick up another title for your collection. AVOID.