The Sting Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Sting" boasts an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Prime colors, particularly during the Chicago sequences, are notably vibrant, with striking reds and yellows contrasting well against Newman’s piercing blue eyes. Despite this, there's a persistent softness, occasionally impacting focus throughout many scenes. The intentional soft focus is evident in significant moments, such as Hooker's face while he’s seated, overshadowed by sharper surroundings. Although the clarity and sharpness have seen improvement since its DVD counterparts, issues like edge blur and slight framing distractions still persist.

The earth-tone palette remains solidly represented, adding to the film's nostalgic ambiance. However, black levels are inconsistent, with darker areas often absorbing finer details—an area that could deserve a closer technical enhancement. The inclusion of some artifacting—such as shimmer and aliasing, especially on checked clothing—proves to be a minor distraction. An example includes the shimmering effect on Redford's tweedy jacket in particular scenes.

DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) appears dialed back compared to previous Universal releases, presenting a middle ground. While grain structure remains apparent and somewhat stabilized, certain sharp-eyed enthusiasts might find the moving grain unnaturally distracting. Nonetheless, despite these imperfections—whether inherent from the source material or technical constraints—the improvement in color vibrancy and overall presentation quality positions this Blu-ray edition of "The Sting" as the finest appearance of the film yet in home video format.

The Sting's lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix delivers an engaging and consistently immersive auditory experience. The track excels with its discrete channelization effects and meticulous attention to ambient environmental details. Notable scenes, such as Redford's initial meeting with Newman in the funland, showcase realistic echoes of voices and footsteps, while the elevated railway's rumble pans impressively from right to left, producing substantial LFE. Dialogue is clean and clear, maintaining a high degree of fidelity, and Marvin Hamlisch's Oscar-winning adaptation of Scott Joplin tunes sounds fantastic, with dynamic range that is notably wide.

However, the high fidelity of effects and music can sometimes highlight the disparity with flat-sounding ADR dialogue, making the mix slightly unbalanced. An optional English Mono track could have potentially provided a more unified auditory experience. Throughout the film, Hamlisch's arrangements beautifully fill the surround soundscape, particularly during the opening credits where the clarity of the piano and the subwoofer's enhancement of drumbeats stand out. Surround channels are deftly utilized not just for musical scores but also for environmental sounds, such as trains and cars moving across the sound field, enriching the film's sonic atmosphere.

The extras on the Blu Ray of "The Sting" provide an in-depth and enriching viewer experience, augmenting the film's charm with a blend of retrospectives and historical perspectives. "The Art of The Sting" is a comprehensive and insightful documentary divided into three sections: The Perfect Script, Making a Masterpiece, and The Legacy, featuring extensive interviews with the principal cast and crew. Additionally, several featurettes celebrating the 100th anniversary of Universal Studios offer general insights into the studio's storied history, with particular attention to the 1970s. These pieces, like "Restoring the Classics", "The 70s" and "The Lot", provide informative and nostalgic glimpses into Universal’s impactful moments, enhancing appreciation for the era and the landmark films it produced. Finally, there's a theatrical trailer that highlights its re-release following Oscar success.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Art of The Sting: An expansive retrospective documentary in three parts featuring interviews with cast and crew.
• Theatrical Trailer: Post-Oscar re-release trailer.
• 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics: Promo piece on Universal's restoration efforts.
• 100 Years of Universal: The 70s: Featurette on Universal’s impactful 1970s era.
• 100 Years of Universal: The Lot: Overview of Universal Studios' backlot history.

David S. Ward's screenplay for "The Sting," winner of one of the film’s seven Academy Awards, masterfully constructs a multi-layered narrative that captivates from start to finish. Set in 1936 Illinois, the plot introduces grifter Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford), whose initial successful con provokes a deadly retaliation from New York mobster Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). To avenge his murdered mentor, Hooker teams with veteran con man Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to orchestrate an elaborate ruse against the formidable Lonnegan.

Ward’s script artfully maintains suspense through its complex plot and unexpected twists. Even seasoned viewers or those attempting to predict the film’s direction will find themselves consistently surprised. Notably, the screenplay does not suffer from common pitfalls typical of “twist” movies; rather, it carefully constructs its deceptions, engaging the audience in a thoroughly satisfying reveal. The dynamic between Newman and Redford, revitalized from their earlier collaboration in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," enhances the narrative with a mix of chemistry and camaraderie.

Director George Roy Hill's choice to incorporate Scott Joplin's ragtime music, reinterpreted by Marvin Hamlisch, provides an anachronistic yet surprisingly fitting soundtrack that enriches the film's vibrant atmosphere. Combined with meticulous production design and period costumes, Hill's direction brings a palpable sense of joy to the proceedings, making "The Sting" not just a film but a celebration of cinematic storytelling. The ensemble cast, including notable performances from Eileen Brennan and Harold Gould, further elevates the film, ensuring that every beat of this enjoyable con caper resonates with audiences both visually and emotionally.

The Sting has achieved a near-perfect balance of storytelling, performance, and directorial style, creating an effortlessly enjoyable cinematic experience. The film's strength lies in David S. Ward's intricately woven screenplay, which serves as a masterclass in misdirection and character development. The chemistry between stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford is palpable, while Robert Shaw delivers a compelling antagonist. George Roy Hill's direction complements the script with a subtle yet impactful flair, ensuring that each scene contributes meaningfully to the narrative's buildup.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray presentation of "The Sting" is commendable. The video transfer is generally solid, capturing the film's vibrant 1930s aesthetic despite some areas falling short of modern high-definition expectations. The audio track is robust, delivering Scott Joplin's iconic ragtime tunes with clarity and depth, which significantly enhances the overall viewing experience. However, fans might find the bonus features somewhat lacking in new or exclusive content centric to the film, which could have elevated the release further.

When was the last time you had fun at the movies? The Sting flies by like a pleasant breeze, despite running around two hours, and once you've watched it once, chances are you'll want to see it again fairly soon afterward just to catch all the little moments that lead up to the film's wonderful set of surprises. This is one of those rare collaborations where just about everything went right. David S. Ward's screenplay is a marvel of misdirection and fine character beats, the performances are all top notch, and George Roy Hill directs with unobtrusive but very effective flair. Add in the colorful music of Scott Joplin, and you simply have a near-perfect entertainment. This Blu-ray will probably come in for the typical Universal catalog bashing, but overall the transfer is very solid, the audio is stellar, and while some new Sting-centric supplements would have been appreciated, what's here is fine. Highly recommended.