True Romance 4K Ultra HD

"True Romance" tells the ultra-violent tale (courtesy of Quentin Tarantino) of two unlikely lovers who meet when Alabama (Arquette) is hired as a "call girl" to seduce the geeky, comic-book-infatuated Clarence (Slater). They immediately fall in love and get married in the hopes of starting a new life together. But when Clarence tries to retrieve Alabama's belongings from her ruthless pimp (Oldman), his simple task goes terribly awry, and the couple are on the run with a mistaken suitcase full of valuable mob cocaine. (Suzanne Hodges)

Both the 4K restorations of the Theatrical Cut (01:58:14) and the Director's Cut (02:00:36) from the originl camera negatives are available. Special features include commentary by Actors Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette; commentary by Director Tony Scott; commentary by Screenwriter Quentin Tarantino; commentary by critic Tim Lucas; new select scene commentaries by Stars Bonson Pinchot and Saul Rubinek; select scene commentaries by Stars Dennis Hopper,Val Kilmer, Brad Pitt and Michael Rapaport; 11 deleted and extended scenes with commentary by Scott (SD 29:19); an alternate ending with commentary by Scott and Tarantino (HD 06:22); new interview with Co-Composers Mark Mancina and John Van Tongeren (HD 11:36); new interview with Larry Taylor, author of Tony Scott: A Filmmaker on Fire (HD 06:44); new interview with Costume Designer Susan Becker (HD 09:57; new interview with Co-Editor Michael Tronick (HD 11:13); double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck; electronic press kit featurettes, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Tony Scott, Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper and Gary Oldman; reversible package sleeve and a 60-page color booklet.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/Dolby Vision picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed on Eastman color film in anamorphic Panavision® using the Arriflex 35-III, Panavision Panaflex Lightweight, Panavision Panaflex Platinum and Panavision Panaflex Gold II camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture is outstanding and tromps in every parameter the previously reviewed Blu-ray, DVD and LaserDisc, as early as Issue 7. Colors are wonderfully vibrant and vivid with deep, solid blacks and accurate flesh tones. Hues are strongly saturated but the imagery is extremely natural, with warm hues that pop. Facial features are revealing of fine lines on faces and well defined hair. Clothing is nicely defined as our objects such as Clearance's purple Cadillac. HDR contrast is wide with natural blacks, revealing shadows, and bright white levels. The picture is sharp and detailed, with excellent shadow detail. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited throughout.. Contrast is superbly balanced, and the picture is absolutely pristine. This is a very vibrant visual experience, as is the cinematography, with a superb color palette that jumps off the screen. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack, as with the previous Blu-ray and DVD Dolby Digital remastered 5.1-channel soundtrack reviewed in Issue 66, delivers a holosonic® soundfield, with aggressive surround effects and a music score that envelops the viewer. The music frequently shapes the soundtrack's spatial character, projecting a wide, engulfing presence all around. The audio presentation is substantial in overall volume, tending to sound rather loud and forward. Deep bass is at times extended to below 25 Hz, sometimes with substantial .1 LFE levels. Sound effects are quite strong, such aa the sound of rubber laid on the streets of Los Angeles and Intense gunfire that ricochets around the soundfield. Foley sound effects enhance the realism and are in perfect sync with the picture. Atmospherics also enhance the realism. The soundtrack is deficient and problematic with dialogue presentation, which sounds far forward and lacks spatial integration. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo soundtrack had no major differences in general amplitude and fidelity. This is a high energy soundtrack that dramatically delivers. (Gary Reber)