Rent-a-Cop Blu-ray Review

Rent-a-Cop's Blu-ray video presentation is a commendable effort by Kino Lorber, offering viewers a solid visual experience. Presented in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer, the source material has benefited significantly from a new 4K master derived from the original camera negative. This meticulous restoration effort is evident in the organic and vibrant appearance of the film. The color balance maintains its integrity throughout, showcasing as much vibrancy as possible within the 1080p range. Although a wider color gamut could potentially enhance this further, the video impressively balances density and stability, ensuring a visually pleasurable experience without notable anomalies.

The Blu-ray's impressive clarity and contrast bring out details in various scenes with precision. The film, originally shot on 35 mm by director of photography Giuseppe Rotunno, showcases superior image delineation. Examples include intricate details such as billowing cigarette smoke, glitzy costumes at a disco, and intricacies of stone masonry. The visuals extend their excellence to more dynamic elements like a glistening knife blade and the vivid costumes worn by Della. Nighttime aerial views of Chicago provide a tranquil backdrop under the opening credits, enhancing the authenticity of the Chicago locations during winter. These visuals avoid any artificiality, enhancing the viewer's immersion in the film's narrative and setting.

Overall, the video quality on this Blu-ray release should satisfy fans of Rent-a-Cop. However, note that this is a Region-A locked release, necessitating a compatible player to enjoy the high-quality restoration at home.

The Blu-ray release of "Rent-a-Cop" is equipped with a singular English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, supported by optional English SDH subtitles. From a technical standpoint, this audio presentation impresses with its dynamic capability, especially in several action sequences, which serve as an effective test for audio systems. The dialog is consistently clear and distinct, ensuring seamless comprehension throughout the film. Furthermore, no encoding anomalies were detected during playback, indicating a stable and well-managed audio transfer.

Jerry Goldsmith's musical score significantly enhances the auditory experience, delivering a lush atmosphere that complements the film’s varied tones. The soundtrack effectively balances the energetic action elements with quieter, more romantic scenes, particularly those featuring Reynolds and Minnelli. This coexistence of vibrant and subdued audio elements enriches the film's narrative and emotional arcs through sound. Notable sound effects, such as machine gun and hand gun fire, small explosions, and ambient disco noise, are rendered with precision, contributing to the film’s immersive quality.

The Blu-ray extras for "Rent-a-Cop" provide a compelling look at the film’s production and thematic elements. The included audio commentary by Richard Masur and critic Lee Gambin is insightful, highlighting the film as a unique example of the ’80s "oddball buddy movies." It delves into Jerry Goldsmith’s playful score and the dynamic between Liza Minnelli’s vibrant character, Della, and Burt Reynolds’ subdued performance. Insights into director Jerry London’s skillful blend of comedy and action are provided, as well as thoughtful reflections on the film's production, including anecdotes about shooting locations and casting influences from Richard Masur. The commentary effectively contextualizes "Rent-a-Cop" within its cinematic landscape, providing a deeper appreciation for the film’s nuanced storytelling and engaging performances.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring actor Richard Masur and critic Lee Gambin discussing film production, score, and cast insights.
• Trailer: A vintage U.S. trailer for "Rent-a-Cop," available in English.

Rent-a-Cop (1987), directed by Jerry London, makes its Blu-ray debut through Kino Lorber. Known for helming successful TV hits in the 1970s like Kojak and The Rockford Files, London's foray into this crime dramedy promised genre appeal but unfortunately falters significantly. The film unravels a story where Tony Church (Burt Reynolds), a cop turned disgraced mall security guard, teams up with call girl Della Roberts (Liza Minnelli) after a harrowing drug bust turns into a massacre, leaving them the sole survivors. However, the weak chemistry between Reynolds and Minnelli is immediately apparent and detrimental; their supposed dynamic entirely fails to ignite.

The movie's narrative ambition is hindered by its inability to cohesively engage multiple genres, resulting in an amalgamation that lacks a definitive identity. Rent-a-Cop attempts to balance crime, comedy, and romance but instead offers a diluted experience that often feels contrived or forced. Furthermore, the Chicago setting is severely underutilized; excluding the notable aerial prologue shots over Lake Shore Drive, the cityscape offers little more than a backdrop and could have easily been exchanged for any other locale. James Remar tries to make an impression as the enigmatic masked killer, but even the intriguing premise with the city’s potential remains untapped and ultimately overlooked.

Supporting roles are filled by capable actors like Bernie Casey and Robbie Benson, yet they add little memorable weight to the storyline. The ensemble fails to bolster the lead duo's shortcomings or elevate the script beyond its faltering execution. Despite promising lead actors and a notable director, Rent-a-Cop remains an obscure entry best viewed as a curio from its time rather than a successful genre blend.

"Rent-a-Cop" on Blu-ray offers a mixed experience, merging the traditional elements of a police crime drama with attempts at dynamic chemistry between its leads. The most glaring issue is the ineffective rapport between Burt Reynolds and Liza Minnelli. Despite Minnelli infusing her trademark eccentricity and vibrant energy into the role, their connection fails to ignite the requisite spark necessary for engaging narrative tension. The film's deviation from the conventional cop storyline, aiming to capitalize on Minnelli's character's pivotal role in the plot, falls flat due to this lackluster chemistry.

From a technical standpoint, Kino Lorber's release uses an immaculate 4K restoration sourced directly from the original camera negative, resulting in superior visual quality. This meticulous transfer renders crisp visuals, enhancing the viewing experience markedly over previous versions. Although the movie doesn't classify as a cult-favorite or enjoy a reputation as 'so-bad-it's-good,' its high-definition presentation is notable, providing a visually engaging format for aficionados or collectors.

In conclusion, "Rent-a-Cop" is marred by a disappointing synergy between its main actors, detracting from its potential appeal. While Liza Minnelli's performance injects sporadic vitality into the film, it doesn’t counterbalance the underwhelming dynamic with Reynolds. Unfortunately, the engaging moments are overshadowed by the film's significant structural shortcomings. However, Kino Lorber’s release ensures that if one were to indulge in its nostalgic value, they would be treated to a strikingly pristine visual experience.