Risky Business Blu-ray Review

Risky Business's transition to Blu-ray, commemorating its 25th anniversary, showcases the film in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p transfer that leverages the VC-1 codec. While the film has never been lauded for visual spectacle, given its modest budget at the time of release, the transition to high definition is notably improved over its previous DVD iterations. The remastering effort has enhanced detail remarkably, particularly in scenes capturing the gritty Chicago exteriors and the nuanced textures of the film's iconic party sequences. Despite these improvements, viewers should temper their expectations; the film inherently exhibits a flat image profile and a grainy texture, remnants of its original production values and stylistic choices.

The restoration reinvigorates the film's color palette, albeit within the constraints of its original cinematography which naturally tends towards muted tones. Blacks are deepened, contributing to the film's stylistic noir elements, without sacrificing the integrity of its shadow details. However, the overall appearance remains somewhat subdued due to the intentional drabness of its shooting style and a persistent thin layer of grain that speaks more to its age and source quality than to the transfer process. This Blu-ray edition does its best to honor the visual intention of Risky Business while navigating the limitations posed by its source material.

Warner Brothers' dedication to preserving Risky Business in high definition is evident in this release. The improvement in fine details, color fidelity, and overall cleanliness of the source material offers the best home viewing experience of the film to date. This Blu-ray may not rival the flawless visuals of contemporary HD releases, but it significantly surpasses earlier versions, providing fans with a version that respects both the film's aesthetic and its cultural legacy.

Warner's new English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround mix for "Risky Business" garners mixed feelings among aficionados and newcomers to the film alike. On one hand, it undoubtedly elevates the audio experience with its clear and precise dialogue delivery, eliminating the need for any manual adjustments—an aspect that appeals to viewers prioritizing verbal clarity. In addition, the track's fidelity enriches the film's iconic score by Tangerine Dream, offering a presentation that’s both immersive and reflective of the score's innovative nature. The bass is firm and the ambiance it creates is almost ethereal, bringing a new dimension to what is fundamentally a dialogue-driven movie.

However, the remix is not without its issues. Despite the clarity of dialogue and the elevated presentation of the score, the surround sound usage is disappointingly sparse, kicking in only during specific scenes like car chases or ambient moments, without truly engaging the rear channels in a consistent manner. This leads to a lack of atmospheric depth that one might expect from a 5.1 Surround mix. Furthermore, the music sometimes dominates overly, overpowering scenes instead of complementing them, thus detracting from the film’s intended emotional impact—most notably in how Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight" overwhelms rather than builds upon the scene's sexual tension.

The efforts to update the film’s audio onto a 5.1 platform appear to be somewhat undermined by an inconsistent approach to sound placement and a sometimes forceful integration of music, leading to a soundscape that occasionally feels incongruous with the action on-screen. While the score moves effectively around the soundstage and dialogue remains crisp throughout, the overall execution falls short of creating a fully immersive auditory experience, particularly in terms of dynamic range and surround sound innovation. Warner's attempt at remastering "Risky Business" into Dolby TrueHD showcases a clear improvement in certain areas but ultimately reflects a missed opportunity to thoroughly revitalize the film's audio landscape.

The Blu-ray re-release of "Risky Business" impresses with a suite of extras that seamlessly blend nostalgia and insightful behind-the-scenes content, elevating the film’s 25th anniversary celebration. Gratifyingly comprehensive, this collection offers a judicious mix of material, including the much-anticipated alternate ending preferred by director Paul Brickman, a testament to the release's commitment to showcasing varied creative visions. The featurette "Risky Business: The 25th Anniversary Retrospective" stands out, offering fresh interviews with key figures such as Tom Cruise, Rebecca DeMornay, and Cameron Crowe, despite feeling slightly superficial in its exploration of the film’s impact. Conversely, the screen tests are a unique highlight, providing an intimate glimpse into the casting process, with upconverted SD footage enhancing its authenticity. The inclusion of a Picture-in-Picture commentary featuring Cruise, Brickman, and producer Jon Avnet, although lacking an audio-only option, is lauded for its seamless integration and engaging perspective on the filmmaking process. Additionally, the digital copy and original theatrical trailer round out the extras, ensuring fans have ample material to appreciate. This package smartly combines essential extras with unique offerings, making it a notable addition for both new viewers and longtime fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Risky Business: The 25th Anniversary Retrospective: A featurette with new interviews reflecting on the film’s making and impact.
• Screen Tests: Audition footage that offers a rare look at Tom Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay's early performances.
• Alternate Ending: Director Paul Brickman’s preferred conclusion to the story, providing an interesting contrast to the theatrical release.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer in high definition.
• Picture-in-Picture Commentary: An insightful commentary track featuring key contributors, enhancing the viewing experience without detracting from the film itself.

"Risky Business" stands out as a seminal piece of 80s cinema that successfully subverts the teen genre with its intelligent script, stylish direction, and compelling performances. At the heart of the film is Tom Cruise in his breakout role as Joel Goodsen, a high-strung high schooler whose encounter with a prostitute named Lana, played with alluring complexity by Rebecca DeMornay, catapults him into a whirlwind of adolescent crises and moral dilemmas. Unlike the vast majority of teen comedies that cater to lowbrow humor and superficial party antics, "Risky Business" treats its audience to a mature and nuanced portrayal of the teenage psyche, balancing its comedic elements with a darker, more dramatic tone that resonates with adult viewers alike.

The film's depth is further accentuated by its vibrant score from Tangerine Dream, which complements the narrative's suspenseful and often introspective moments, making it as much a character in the film as the glittering cityscape of Chicago itself. Paul Brickman's direction and literate script do not shy away from exploring themes of ambition, corruption, and the loss of innocence, positioning "Risky Business" not just as a teen flick, but as a sharp social commentary on the Reagan-era ethos of greed is good. The duality of Joel's journey to manhood—marked by his entanglement with Lana and her menacing pimp, Guido (Joe Pantoliano)—plays out against this backdrop, inviting audiences to question the true cost of success and pleasure.

"Risky Business" remains a compelling watch decades after its release, due to its clever blend of humor, drama, and an iconic soundtrack. Its status as a classic is well-earned, offering a critique of its time while providing a thoroughly entertaining experience. The film not only launched Tom Cruise's stellar career but also set a high standard for teen-centric films by daring to address the complexities of youth with authenticity and purpose.

The Blu-ray release of "Risky Business," a seminal early '80s film, offers a significant enhancement in both audio and visual quality from its previous home format editions, despite inherent limitations due to its original production quality. The remastering process has notably improved the picture, presenting it in the best light possible and closer to the director's original vision, though some flaws inevitably persist. The audio experience has been elevated with a Dolby TrueHD track that excellently foregrounds the film's distinctive soundtrack and dialogue, albeit with occasional disappointments in sound quality that detract from the overall experience.

This edition shines with its comprehensive package of extras, which includes rare features such as a video commentary by Tom Cruise and the film's original ending, adding considerable value to the release. These additions, alongside the film's restored visual and audio components, significantly enhance the appreciation of "Risky Business" as not only an entertaining and suspenseful narrative but also an insightful commentary on '80s consumerism and moral ambiguity. The film's status as a teen movie classic is reaffirmed by this release, appealing to both long-time fans and new viewers alike.

In conclusion, while this Blu-ray release of "Risky Business" may not completely dazzle with its technical aspects, due to limitations from the original source material, it represents a considerable upgrade over past editions. The inclusion of a robust set of extras further enriches the viewing experience. For enthusiasts of the film or collectors seeking to experience this quintessential '80s movie in the best possible presentation, purchasing this Blu-ray is a sound decision. This release underscores the film's enduring relevance and charm, securing its place in the libraries of cinephiles and confirming its status as a cultural fixture worthy of preservation.