The New York Ripper Blu-ray Review

Blue Underground's Blu-ray presentation of Lucio Fulci's "The New York Ripper," encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, shines with an exquisite 1080p transfer. The new 4K restoration is praiseworthy, showcasing exceptional delineation, clarity, and depth, particularly when viewed on a larger screen. The color grading is remarkable, featuring lush primaries and nuanced ranges without any issues from digital manipulation like degraining or sharpening. The film retains a tremendous organic appearance, free from age-related anomalies, and ensures compatibility across all regions.

The astonishing resolution and texture highlight the effort invested into this restoration, especially considering the film's low-budget origins. Saturation excels, though it occasionally pushes boundaries. The presentation glows vibrantly, balancing organic flesh tones with brilliant blue skies. Despite a subtle digital grading aesthetic, the contrast maintains a high-grade consistency across varying lighting conditions, with stable black levels preserving the film’s tonality. The grain structure remains intact, with transparent encoding managing compression effectively even during scenes dominated by intense reds or greens.

Detail fidelity is outstanding, particularly in facial details, which are remarkably precise for a genre film of this nature. The camera negative displays no notable issues, allowing the full range of visual fidelity to manifest clearly. Overall, this Blu-ray release by Blue Underground sets a new benchmark for the restoration of genre films, delivering a stunning visual experience that enhances Lucio Fulci's gripping narrative through impeccable technical execution.

The Blu-ray release of "The New York Ripper" features an array of audio tracks including English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0, French Dolby Digital 1.0, and Spanish Dolby Digital 1.0. Optional English SDH, French, Spanish, and English (for the Italian track) subtitles are included, appearing within the image frame. The multitude of tracks provides both archival and modern sound experiences, suitable for a wide range of listening preferences.

When comparing the English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track with the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, a notable difference emerges. The Mono track offers a thinner audio profile with weaker dynamic nuances, reflecting the era's technological limitations. Conversely, the 7.1 track delivers a rebalance that enhances smoothness and richness, despite minor unevenness due to overdubbing. The surround mix spreads the score across the soundstage effectively, amplifying high frequencies and occasionally featuring distinct separation during moments like subway scenes or outdoor ambiance. Dialog clarity is consistently maintained across all tracks, a crucial aspect considering the film’s heavy reliance on dubbing.

While the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix may seem excessive to some purists, it aligns with Blue Underground's tradition of immersive remastering. Despite occasional overextensions, there is no evident distortion to detract from the viewing experience. Both audio options provide a unique listening journey – from the nostalgic authenticity of the Mono to the enveloping precision of the 7.1 surround, catering to diverse auditory tastes.

The Blu-ray release of "The New York Ripper" includes a robust array of extras that will satisfy any fan of Lucio Fulci's controversial giallo. These features offer comprehensive insights from various creative angles, contextualizing the film's production intricacies and its lasting impact. Noteworthy inclusions are detailed interviews with key cast members like Howard Ross and Cinzia de Ponti, as well as deeper dives into the thematic and stylistic aspects led by experts such as Stephen Thrower. The commentary by Troy Howarth is particularly illuminating, offering an authoritative perspective on Fulci’s methodologies and the film’s cult status. Additional engaging content includes visual comparisons of key NYC locations and a substantial collection of promotional materials.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A remastered trailer for "The New York Ripper."
• The Art of Killing: Dardano Sacchetti discusses his collaboration with Lucio Fulci.
• The Fingers of Violence: Howard Ross describes his intense scenes and Fulci’s direction style.
• The Second Victim: Cinzia de Ponti details her film industry debut and role in the movie.
• The Broken Bottle Murder: Zora Kerova recounts her explicit scenes and Fulci’s personality.
• I'm an Actress: Zora Kerova discusses her Prague years and filming challenges.
• The Beauty Killer: Stephen Thrower analyzes the film’s conception, style, and Fulci’s career.
• Paint Me Blood Red: Enzo Sciotti talks about his poster art contributions.
• NYC Locations Then and Now: Visual comparisons of 2009 New York with scenes from the film.
• Commentary: Troy Howarth examines the film’s tone, style, and evolution.
• Poster and Still Gallery: A global collection of promotional materials.

Lucio Fulci's "The New York Ripper" (1982) is a dark, gritty exploration of a seedy New York City plagued by a brutal serial killer. This film stands as one of Fulci’s most notorious works, famous for its graphic violence and unsettling atmosphere. The narrative follows detective Fred Williams (Jack Hedley) as he investigates a series of murders, piecing together clues with the help of psychotherapist Dr. Paul Davis (Paolo Malco). The tension ratchets up as the killer, identifiable by his disturbing duck-like voice, continues his spree, leaving viewers in a constant state of dread.

Critically, the film succeeds in creating an oppressive atmosphere. Each murder is prefaced by unique, tension-filled buildups that serve as cinematic foreplays—intensifying the terror and highlighting Fulci's ability to evoke fear. These scenes are a testament to the movie's deeply unsettling tone. The explicit violence, which includes close-up shots of extreme brutality such as a nipple being split by a razor blade, has drawn criticism for its misogynistic undertones. Yet, it’s this very unflinching portrayal that roots the film in a raw and unapologetic depiction of cruelty.

Despite its controversial aspects, "The New York Ripper" offers an incisive commentary on societal decay and hypocrisy. Fulci’s perspective is unmistakably cynical, reflecting his Marxist background and disillusionment with capitalist society. The film captures the grime and moral deterioration of 1980s New York, using handheld footage to immerse the audience in its squalor. Supported by Francesco De Masi’s eclectic soundtrack, including jazzy tunes and trippy psychedelica, the film’s auditory landscape complements its grim visuals. Performances are uneven, with moments of choppiness and less convincing improvised scenes, further adding to the film’s uncanny aura. Nonetheless, for those who appreciate giallo’s visceral impact, "The New York Ripper" stands as an unforgettable piece of genre cinema.

The New York Ripper Blu-ray showcases a meticulously crafted 4K restoration that brings out Lucio Fulci's brutal vision with vivid clarity and precision. The visual richness and sharpness elevate the gritty streets of New York to near-tangible levels, while the stark, often disturbing imagery demonstrates Fulci's unapologetic critique of societal malaise. Audiophiles will appreciate the rich DTS-HD Master Audio track, which ensures every unsettling sound is rendered with stark purity, amplifying the film's harrowing atmosphere. Additionally, viewers can delve into an array of insightful bonus materials, including featurettes and interviews, providing a deeper understanding of Fulci's filmmaking process and thematic intentions.

The supplementary content fortifies this release. Insightful director commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage, and in-depth analyses contribute to an enriched viewing experience. Also, notably included is the entire original soundtrack on a separate CD, a valuable addition for any collector or music enthusiast. Blue Underground has truly outdone itself in curating an exhaustive array of special features that highlight the film's historical context and artistic significance.

The folks at Blue Underground have produced another definitive release of a famous Lucio Fulci film. It is basically a Zombie 2.0 case -- yet another stunning 4K restoration, great technical presentation, excellent selection of bonus features, and the entire original soundtrack placed on a separate CD. It is a fantastic package, and there is no doubt in my mind that at the end of the year it will appear on many different lists that fans and critics create to recognize quality releases. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.