Streets of Fire Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray release for "Streets of Fire" by Shout Factory showcases a commendable 2K remaster that captures the film's gritty and stylistic essence. The AVC-encoded transfer, presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, delivers notable improvements in contrast, black levels, and color saturation. This edition stands out when compared to previous releases from Koch Media and Second Sight. The differences are evident in the consistent grain structure, stable color reproduction, and improved contrast. While minor issues such as occasional white speckles, dust, and brief frame scratches persist, these flaws do not significantly detract from the viewing experience. The overall print of the film is in excellent condition.

Visually, the transfer excels in clarity and detail, with sharpness that highlights every texture—from the creases in Raven's leather outfit to the neon-lit smoky nightclubs. The 1080p resolution ensures a rich and vibrant presentation, with colors like Diane Lane's deep red lipstick popping off the screen. Depth and dimensionality are effectively rendered with a strong sense of spacing and smooth character movement. Black levels are deep and accurate without resulting in heavy grain, which is notable for a film of this vintage.

Overall, the Blu-ray's video quality represents a significant upgrade over previous versions. The light veneer of film grain adds to the aesthetic without appearing overly processed. While the transfer could have benefited from further digital clean-up to address minor speckling, the results still offer a visually pleasing experience. Shout Factory has succeeded in delivering a version that does justice to the film’s unique visual style, making it a worthwhile addition to any collection.

The audio presentation of "Streets of Fire" on Shout! Factory’s Shout Select Blu-ray is a standout feature, offering both a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. The 5.1 track is particularly impressive, encoded at a substantial 4707 kbps with a bit depth of 24, ensuring an outstanding listening experience. This high bitrate supersedes other releases like Koch's BD 5.1 (2253 kbps, 16-bit) and Second Sight's 5.1 (2478 kbps, 16-bit), resulting in superior sound quality. The film's soundtrack, extracted possibly from the original 70mm 6-track mix, maintains clarity with powerful loudness. Sound effects resonate with discrete detail in the rear channels, while dialogue remains crisp and free of distortions.

Both audio tracks excel in fidelity, beautifully preserving Ry Cooder's score and the numerous diegetic songs. Although some dynamic range issues are noted, with bass and explosion sounds appearing somewhat shallow, the overall mix provides an enveloping and concert-like ambiance. Significant scenes, such as those involving shotgun blasts and motorcycle revs, demonstrate notable bass impact that veritably bounces the floor, thanks to proficient LFE activity. Despite occasional flatness in sound effects during quieter moments, the balance between vocals, music, and effects is meticulously well-handled, providing an immersive viewing experience.

In summary, Shout! Factory’s Blu-ray offers an exceptionally well-produced audio presentation for "Streets of Fire". While some limitations are inherent to the film's vintage nature, the superior encoding and careful balancing of elements make this release highly satisfying. The retention of high fidelity across explosions and dialogue alike stands out as a testament to the quality of this audio presentation, making it a top choice for enthusiasts and audiophiles alike. English SDH subtitles are included for accessibility.

The Blu-ray extras for "Streets of Fire: Collector's Edition" are a comprehensive and meticulously curated selection that significantly enhances the home viewing experience. The standout features include two extensive, feature-length documentaries. "Shotguns & Six Strings: The Making Of A Rock N Roll Fable" offers in-depth interviews with key crew members including director Walter Hill and actor Michael Paré, while "Rumble on the Lot: Walter Hill's Streets Of Fire Revisited" revisits similar territory but with unique insights from different contributors. Additionally, a suite of vintage featurettes, music videos, theatrical trailers, on-air promos, and an extensive still gallery provide a rich, nostalgic exploration of this cult classic's production and enduring legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Shotguns & Six Strings: The Making Of A Rock N Roll Fable: Detailed documentary with interviews covering various production aspects.
• Rumble on the Lot: Walter Hill's Streets Of Fire Revisited: Comprehensive documentary featuring cast and crew discussing the film's making.
• Vintage Featurettes: A series of short clips addressing different production elements like costumes, crowd choreography, and set design.
• Music Videos: Selected music videos produced during the film’s release.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• On Air Promos: Studio-produced promotional clips for broadcast.
• Still Gallery: Collection of production stills and behind-the-scenes photos.

"Streets of Fire" is an audacious mashup of rock 'n' roll fervor and neo-noir aesthetics crafted by Walter Hill. Set in a fantastical "Another Time, Another Place," the narrative captures the rescue attempt of rock diva Ellen Aim (Diane Lane) by her ex-boyfriend Tom Cody (Michael Paré), accompanied by Amy Madigan’s scrappy sidekick, McCoy, and Rick Moranis as Ellen's sleazy manager, Billy Fish. This pseudo-post-apocalyptic setting throbs with vibrant 1980s rock and chaotic violence. Hill's direction, bolstered by Andrew Laszlo’s dystopian cinematography, constructs a hyper-stylized world reminiscent of gritty Westerns and rebellious youth biker flicks, enhanced by the stark undercurrents of film noir and graphic novel sensibilities. Stirring introductory sequences, especially involving Willem Dafoe's villainous Raven Shaddock, firmly set the tone.

The film pulses with a cohesive yet eclectic musical backbone. Composer Ry Cooder and iconic songwriters like Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty enrich the landscape with tracks that drive the plot. Jim Steinman’s bombastic anthems "Nowhere Fast" and "Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young" amplify this delirious rock fable. Even though the narrative is linear and occasionally simplistic, offering more visual and auditory flair than depth, it remains wildly engaging due to Hill’s visionary direction and the film’s self-aware penchant for exaggerated machismo and nostalgia. Michael Paré embodies the reticent antihero archetype but significantly lacks the magnetism required for such a role, often eclipsed by Dafoe's menacing and charismatic presence.

Despite its narrative and character inconsistencies, "Streets of Fire" endures as a seminal cult classic. Its unconventional blending of genres—rock musical, Western, neo-noir—paired with meticulously crafted urban nightmare visuals make it a vivid cinematic collage. Features like a $1.2 million daytime shoot tarp and Universal Studios backlot setups speak to its ambitious production values. Though critically overlooked upon its release, this Blu-ray presents an apt revival, reaffirming the film’s underrated charm and influence on subsequent pop culture narratives.

Shout Factory's two-disc Collector’s Edition of "Streets of Fire" is an essential release for fans of this cult classic. The high-definition transfer is near flawless, though some minor print damage is evident. The film's visual and audio fidelity significantly benefits from the ample bitrate afforded by dedicating the primary disc solely to the feature. Accompanying the sterling video quality are expertly encoded DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 audio tracks, with Shout's authoring and encoding work ensuring an immersive experience.

The supplementary disc is a treasure trove for enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive suite of vintage extras as well as new in-depth retrospective documentaries featuring interviews with key personnel. These extensive extras delve into the creation and enduring appeal of the film, enriching the viewer’s appreciation for Walter Hill’s rock musical set on the cusp of the MTV era. The inclusion of two full-length documentaries is particularly notable, providing a detailed look back at the movie's production and legacy.

In conclusion, Shout Factory has delivered a simply amazing two-disc collector’s edition for "Streets of Fire." While not entirely perfect due to minor print damage, the overall package more than compensates with an excellent transfer and a wealth of insightful supplements. This release stands out as one of Shout Factory's most impressive efforts, making it a must-own for fans of Walter Hill and cult films alike. Highly recommended.