Fit to Kill Blu-ray Review

"Fit to Kill" makes its Blu-ray debut with an impressive AVC encoded image presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, featuring a 4K widescreen restoration. The results elevate the film considerably from previous VHS and DVD releases, offering a bright, clear viewing experience that does justice to Andy Sidaris's colorful vision. Details are satisfactory, sharply rendering costumes, skin surfaces, and scenic locations. Hawaiian tour scenes particularly benefit from the enhanced dimension, enriching the film's travelogue feel. Colors are bold with strong primaries that favor beachwear and cocktail dresses, while greenery appears distinct. However, day-for-night shots exhibit some limitations, transitioning to purple tones and solid fields. Grain management is inconsistent, leading to varied intensities and occasional 'zombiefied' stretches. Source material shows moderate wear, including speckling and scratches, with some flashing during a mid-movie party scene.

Despite its low-budget origins from 1993, "Fit to Kill" enjoys appreciable improvements in texture and overall detail in this Blu-ray release, free of detrimental processing. This marks a film-like presentation that enthusiasts will find worthy of HD viewing. The film benefits immensely from Mark Morris's bright cinematography and vibrant video attributes. The elements have been preserved well, boasting healthy colors and warm flesh tones. Employing extensive day-for-night filming, some interior scenes suffer from crushed black levels, though exteriors display rich depth and cinematic definition. The 93-minute main feature is encoded in transparent AVC on a BD-50 disc, maintaining excellent parameters in 1080P resolution at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, closely aligning with the intended 1.85:1 dimensions. Overall, this release represents a significant upgrade for fans of the genre and the director alike.

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix for "Fit to Kill" is functional, offering a coherent auditory presentation adequate for appreciating the film's dialogue and atmospheric elements. While not a layered track, it delivers necessary components with fair balance. Dialogue exchanges are clear and allow recognition of performances, despite a significant issue at the 23:56 mark where a line from Chang is missing, indicating a possible flaw inherent in the original material. Synth clarity and the presence of tinny percussion in the scoring add to the overall feel, while gunfire and explosions are rendered with sufficient force to maintain a credible experience. The sound effects, though limited, register effectively within the film’s context.

Additionally, the dynamics of the audio track, although okay, are somewhat muted at the top end, showing a stark contrast to more dynamically rich Hollywood action films of the same era. Clean reproduction of dialogue helps offset the minimal dub issues that occasionally crop up. The score supports the mood adequately, though it does not offer significant enhancement to the overall auditory impact. Despite these limitations, atmospherics perform acceptably, capturing the expansiveness of open-air sequences. Optional English SDH subtitles are included in a readable white font, aiding accessibility without detracting from the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray of "Fit to Kill" offers a robust collection of extras, providing insight into the production and behind-the-scenes activities of this 1993 film. Noteworthy is the commentary by writer/director Andy Sidaris and producer Arlene Sidaris, where they recall details from filming and shed light on the creative process. Julie Strain's introduction adds personal anecdotes, enriching the viewer's connection to the film. The behind-the-scenes featurette delivers a comprehensive look into the making of "Fit to Kill," showcasing archival interviews, location scouting, and critical production insights. This blend of content ensures that fans and film enthusiasts gain a profound appreciation for Sidaris's work.

Extras included in this disc:

• Intro: Julie Strain shares memories from the set.
• Commentary: Andy and Arlene Sidaris discuss production details.
• Behind the Scenes: Seven featurettes with archival footage and interviews.
• Trailer: Promotional trailer in HD.

"Fit to Kill," the eighth installment in Andy Sidaris's Malibu Bay Films universe, epitomizes the director's signature low-budget thrillers that blend action, exotic locales, and gratuitous nudity. This 1993 sequel stars Julie Strain, Dona Spier, and Roberta Vasquez as bikini-clad security agents tackling nefarious villains in sun-drenched settings. The storyline is an ambitious yet convoluted mix, with Agent Donna (Spier) and her team aiming to thwart longtime enemy Kane (Geoffrey Moore) from acquiring the storied Alexa Diamond.

Essential to Sidaris's oeuvre is the regular infusion of titillation every few minutes, and "Fit to Kill" adheres strictly to this formula. Whether it's poolside posing or topless briefings at Molokai Cargo, fans get exactly what they anticipate. The action sequences are punctuated by refreshingly kitschy RC helicopter battles, which mesh perfectly with the movie's B-movie aesthetics while allowing for surprisingly entertaining moments. These elements help mitigate the often incoherent plot, which sees characters like Chang (Aki Aleong) delivering expository monologues on World War II while sporting tight dresses and shooting staged dogfights with plastic toys.

Richard Lyons' Super Nintendo-synth score underscores the ludicrous yet enjoyable action, rife with comedic overtones and stunning scenery from Las Vegas and Hawaii that lend a light-hearted charm. Julie Strain's performance as Blu Steele stands out, invigorating the narrative with her charismatic presence. Though laden with subpar acting and sporadic narrative coherence, “Fit to Kill” remains an enduring cult classic. Sidaris’s unique blend of sensuality and low-cost action is uncompromising, offering a quintessential trip to a parallel universe where storytelling takes a backseat to sheer entertainment value.

Andy Sidaris’s “Fit to Kill” is a distinctive entry in the B-movie genre, blending enticing elements with a dose of enjoyable absurdity. The film unabashedly emphasizes sex and scheming villains, offering an array of titillating sequences that cater to its core audience's desires. The feature doesn't bother much with the intricacies of its diamond-centric plot, instead choosing to focus on seductive fantasies and high-energy, albeit exaggerated, action scenes. Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of an actual Playmate photo shoot, which highlights the production’s inclination to capitalize on its strengths, providing a unique layer of engagement.

Julie Strain’s memorable debut adds a vibrant touch to the film, positioning it as one of the more entertaining contributions from Sidaris and his team. Characterized by its commitment to playful objectification and lighthearted mayhem, “Fit to Kill” stands out within its niche. Sidaris’s adept management of his thematic fetishes imbues the runtime with moments that resonate well with viewers seeking straightforward entertainment. The blend of exaggerated action sequences and frequent erotic interludes ensures that the movie never takes itself too seriously, maintaining a consistent level of amusement.

“Fit to Kill” isn't packed with thrills and spills, as Sidaris is happy to slow the picture down to deal with sex, scheming villains, sex, and some more sex. There are fantasy sequences too, including an actual photo shoot for the Playmate cast, with the production clearly playing to personal strengths. The diamond stuff really doesn't matter, but the actors and the battery-powered action does, keeping “Fit to Kill” enjoyable on a Sidaris-style level of engagement, watching a filmmaker manage his fetishes with relative ease.