Hit Man Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive’s 1080p Blu-ray presentation of "Hit Man" is sourced from a recent 4K scan of the original camera negative, showcasing a notable step forward in restoration quality. The transfer benefits from meticulous manual cleanup, allowing the film to maintain its original, gritty, film-like texture while achieving an impressive level of image stability. Color grading is remarkably accurate and natural, delivering authentic tones throughout. Fine detail is consistently notable; though not overtly texture-driven, the presentation still provides solid levels of crispness and strong shadow detail. Black levels hold up well even in underlit or nighttime sequences—scenes that, given the film’s low-budget production, could easily falter if not handled with expert care.

While some darker moments exhibit light noise and minor artifacting, this remains a contained issue and never overshadows the larger fidelity of the visuals. The widescreen framing is honored, preserving compositions faithful to the original theatrical experience. The overall image demonstrates a high degree of cleanliness and dimensionality that elevates this release above typical catalog title expectations. Despite being a product of its era, "Hit Man" looks exceedingly robust and natural thanks to this updated transfer, making it not only a pleasing revisit for longtime fans but also a technically commendable release from Warner Archive.

The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix for "Hit Man" offers a faithful presentation of the film’s original mono soundtrack, skillfully preserved in a split-channel format. This mix maintains a crisp and stable character throughout, effectively balancing dialogue, score, and ambient effects without introducing unnecessary enhancement or artificiality. The soundtrack handles the film’s tonal shifts and various environments with marked clarity, ensuring that dialogue remains clear and intelligible at all times.

The musical score, composed by H.B. Barnum in his feature debut, is presented with satisfying fidelity, allowing its nuanced contributions to shine alongside the film's sound effects. This audio restoration exemplifies a clean, unobtrusive approach: it avoids exaggeration and instead remains focused on delivering an authentic vintage experience. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are provided for the main feature, supporting accessibility needs. Ultimately, the audio presentation is technically robust, offering an experience aligned with high standards for classic film restorations.

The Blu-ray edition of "Hit Man" arrives in a standard keepcase featuring poster-inspired cover art and presents a minimal selection of extras. The supplementary content is notably sparse, focusing exclusively on the film’s Theatrical Trailer. No featurettes, commentaries, or behind-the-scenes materials are included, making the bonus content limited in scope and appeal for collectors or those interested in in-depth production insights. The inclusion of the trailer serves as a basic promotional archive rather than an enriching or informative supplement.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional spot for the film.

George Armitage’s Hit Man (1972) stands as an underappreciated yet engaging entry within the blaxploitation and crime genres, borrowing its narrative roots from Ted Lewis’ influential novel, previously adapted as the Michael Caine-led Get Carter just a year prior. Bernie Casey anchors the film with a compelling performance as Tyrone Tackett, a former cop who returns to L.A. to investigate his brother’s suspicious death. The story introduces an array of colorful figures, including Bhetty Waldron’s Irvelle, Don Diamond’s mob boss Nano Zito, an early turn from Pamela Grier, and other distinct personalities populating the seedy LA underbelly. The script is dense—sometimes unwieldy—but maintains a brisk pace by mixing elements of melodrama, camp, and action while leaning heavily into time-capsule appeal through its vivid depiction of 1970s Los Angeles.

While Hit Man never ascends to genre-defining status and struggles with a somewhat tangled narrative, it compensates with raw energy and a continually entertaining rhythm. Tyrone operates in typical “God mode” fashion, confidently navigating threats both criminal and romantic with equal ease, delivering the kind of bulletproof protagonist common to the era. Armitage’s direction blends a breezy tone with moments of grit, resultantly creating a film that does not redefine the crime template but reliably satisfies fans of low-budget, urban ‘70s cinema. The cast chemistry, pulpy dialogue, and distinctly American take on a famously British source give Hit Man its own identity, making it an enjoyable if not essential experience for genre enthusiasts.

George Armitage's "Hit Man" stands as an often overlooked but worthwhile entry in the blaxploitation genre, providing audiences with a distinctive take on Ted Lewis' novel Jack's Return Home—a story more famously adapted as "Get Carter." The film delivers engaging, humorous performances and offers a vivid snapshot of early 1970s Los Angeles, lending it both entertainment value and strong period atmosphere. While some cast members leave only a modest impression, there are notable highlights: Roger E. Mosley's memorable and charismatic turn as a derby-wearing henchman, Pam Grier's reliably magnetic presence, and Lisa Moore's charming performance as Tyrone’s ally, whose career arc feels unjustly limited in retrospect.

Technically, Warner Archive's Blu-ray presentation sets a new standard for the film. The transfer is a marked improvement over prior home video editions, offering robust audio-visual quality that captures the film’s gritty aesthetic and vibrant location work to great effect. Both seasoned collectors and newcomers will appreciate the enhanced clarity, accurate color grading, and stable sound reproduction. This upgrade succeeds in revitalizing the movie’s visual punch and auditory authenticity, making a compelling case for existing DVD owners to transition to this edition.

In conclusion, while "Hit Man" may occupy a niche within the broader crime thriller landscape, its stylized execution, nostalgic appeal, and refreshed Blu-ray debut recommend it as an essential watch for fans of the genre and film history alike. The blend of capable performances, particularly from Mosley, Grier, and Moore, alongside the elevated technical presentation, makes this release a standout and deserving addition to any curated home collection.