Rumble Fish Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and granted a 1080p transfer, Francis Ford Coppola's "Rumble Fish" arrives on Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment. Unfortunately, this release reveals significant issues in its high-definition transfer, evidently sourced from Universal Studios' available master. Close-ups often lack depth and basic fluidity, while panoramic shots exhibit a thick electronic look. Color grading during nighttime sequences is particularly disappointing, with blacks and grays collapsing frequently. Moreover, the presentation suffers from overwhelming sharpening and filtering corrections, resulting in prominent edge-enhancement patterns and compromised daylight sequence details.

Regrettably, the film lacks a proper grain structure, stripping it of an organic appearance and lending an over-processed, artificial feel. Despite these drawbacks, the presentation does maintain stability throughout the film. However, the overall video quality remains underwhelming and falls short of expectations for a Blu-ray release. Notably, this is a Region-B locked Blu-ray disc, necessitating a Region-B or Region-Free player to access its content.

The audio presentation of the "Rumble Fish" Blu-ray offers two primary options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, along with a music & effects DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. Eureka Entertainment has also included optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. The English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track provides a commendable dynamic amplitude and maintains a substantial depth, particularly enhancing Stewart Copeland's score. Dialog clarity is exceptional, ensuring that every word is crisp and understandable.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track further enriches the viewing experience by opening up the ambient qualities of the film, though the overall dynamic range does not significantly surpass that of the 2.0 track. Both tracks are free from any significant audio abnormalities such as pops, cracks, or dropouts. To optimize your experience, it is advisable to experiment with both audio tracks to determine which one aligns best with your audio preferences.

The Blu-ray extras for "Rumble Fish" are comprehensive, providing a deep dive into the film's production, music, and conceptualization. The "On Location in Tulsa" featurette is particularly enlightening, offering raw behind-the-scenes footage and insightful commentary from Francis Ford Coppola and the cast. Equally notable is "The Percussion-Based Score," which explores the film's innovative soundtrack through interviews with Stewart Copeland and the sound design team, complete with footage of 1983's experimental scoring sessions. Fans will also appreciate the six deleted scenes, each presenting intriguing character moments that didn’t make the final cut. The original theatrical trailer, longstanding audio commentary by Coppola, and an elaborate booklet with archival imagery round out this impressive selection. Each feature is presented in English without subtitles, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the film's creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• On Location in Tulsa: Behind-the-scenes featurette with pre-production footage.
• The Percussion-Based Score: Discussions on the soundtrack with footage from scoring sessions.
• Deleted Scenes: Six scenes offering additional character insights.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• Commentary: Audio commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola.
• Booklet: Features writings by Coppola and rare archival imagery.

Francis Ford Coppola's "Rumble Fish" (1983) is a visually arresting, atmospheric adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, brought to Blu-ray by Eureka Entertainment. Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the narrative follows Rusty James (Matt Dillon) as he navigates a tumultuous life, haunted by the absence of his idolized older brother, Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke). Upon Motorcycle Boy’s return, the siblings’ relationship is explored through poignant conversations and existential ruminations, set against the backdrop of gang conflicts and family dynamics. The supporting cast boasts future stars such as Nicolas Cage, Chris Penn, and Laurence Fishburne, amplifying the film’s intrigue with their early performances.

The film’s strength lies in its visual composition and stylistic choices. Shot entirely in dramatic black and white by renowned cinematographer Stephen H. Burum, "Rumble Fish" evokes a classic French New Wave sensibility reminiscent of Claude Chabrol’s "Le beau Serge." This aesthetic is complemented by the raw, expressionistic dynamism seen in the choreographed gang fights. The soundtrack, an innovative piece by Stewart Copeland of The Police, further enhances the film's dreamlike quality. These elements combine to create a unique cinematic experience that eschews conventional narrative structures for an evocative exploration of emotions and identity.

Despite its many triumphs, "Rumble Fish" exhibits certain shortcomings. The film's art-house style leads to protagonists that sometimes feel too detached, grappling with dilemmas that seem overly abstract for the story’s context. Additionally, its low-key minimalism occasionally falls short of achieving the immersive atmosphere seen in Jim Jarmusch’s works like "Stranger Than Paradise." Nevertheless, Coppola’s ambitious stylistic experiment results in a fascinating, though uneven, film that continues to captivate with its rich visuals and compelling performances.

Rumble Fish, Francis Ford Coppola's visually striking film, finally debuts on Blu-ray. In keeping with Eureka Entertainment's commitment to presenting films in their rawest form, the Blu-ray release utilizes a high-definition transfer supplied by Universal Studios. Regrettably, the technical quality of this transfer leaves much to be desired. The image is often marred by noticeable grain and occasional instances of blurring, suggesting that Universal Studios may not possess a superior master for this film.

From an audio perspective, the Blu-ray disc provides a serviceable experience but falls short of delivering an exceptional one. The included DTS-HD Master Audio track is competent, capturing the film’s ambient soundscapes and dialogue effectively, but it lacks the dynamic range and immersive quality that could have elevated it. The soundtrack remains true to its original presentation but does not capitalize on the potential enhancements that high-definition audio can offer.

In summary, while the arrival of Rumble Fish on Blu-ray is noteworthy for Coppola enthusiasts, the technical flaws in both the visual and audio presentation are significant drawbacks. Fans might find it worth renting to revisit the film, but those seeking a definitive edition may need to wait for a future remaster.

This Blu-ray release, while anticipated, ultimately fails to meet expectations due to its subpar technical execution. While Eureka Entertainment’s policy to present films as authentically as possible is commendable, it appears that Universal Studios currently lacks a better-quality master for Rumble Fish. As such, it is advisable for potential buyers to consider their desire for authenticity versus technical quality before making a purchase. RENT IT.