‘Blow Out’ 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray [Criterion Collection] Review: Brian De Palma’s Hitchockian thriller is a audiovisual feast in 4K. 

Brian De Palma has never been shy about using homages in his films, but for his 1981 thriller Blow Out he took this approach to the next level. Equal parts Hitchcock’s Vertigo and Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow Up, it’s a fever dream conspiracy thriller that sees the filmmaker at the height of his powers.

In perhaps his best (and most underrated) performance, John Travolta stars as Jack Terri, a sound recordist slumming it by providing sound effects for low-budget slasher knockoffs. After a director complains that he needs new sounds, Terri goes out to a park to record some wind blowing, but when she spots a car crashing into a lake, he attempts a rescue.

What he finds is a presidential candidate murdered, and a woman that he barely saves from drowning. Soon he discovers that Sally (Nancy Allen) was the man’s mistress, and that some behind-the-scenes political fixers wants her to keep her lips sealed, by force if necessary.

Things get even more complicated as Jack uses his sound expertise to try and crack the murder, all while he and Sally are pursued by a sociopathic assassin (played by a young John Lithgow). Things build to a fever pitch ending in a shocking finale.

‘Blow Out’ was released to mixed reviews and sluggish box-office, with critics and audiences souring on its bleak ending and uncompromising tone. But time has proven kind to De Palma’s movie, and it’s now regarded as an essential 80’s Neo-noir and one of De Palma’s best films. And now Criterion celebrates its legacy with a new 4K release (out September 6).

So let’s dive into the new edition and see if its worth your money.

Video:

The video release is mastered from a new 4K track, and while Criterion’s 2011 Blu-ray release of the film looked stellar, the film certainly warrants an upgrade. The colors pop amidst the overall dark tone, with Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography in all its vibrant and decadent glory.

Scenes like the firework illuminated finale look simply gorgeous, and the mostly nocturnal film’s saturated blacks and neon-lit cityscapes look as pristine as possible. For those who can access Dolby Vision, the film pops with subtle elevations in image quality that make it an even more sumptuous visual feast.

Audio:

If there’s any film that deserves superb audio, it’s certainly Blow Out, given sound is such a crucial element of the plot. And the audio for the most part delivers.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. track sounds virtually identical to the one on Criterion’s 2011 Blu-ray release, and while its not as beefy as modern cinema sound, it has clarity, balancing the dialogue, sound effects and Pino Donaggio’s avant-garde score with aplomb.

Extras:

For owners of the 2011 release, the special features portion of the film may feel barren, as all the extras are ported over form that Blu-ray (which is included in the set). That being said, for newbs they will be highly enjoyable and provides illuminating insight into the film and its director.

Included is a lengthy and illuminating interview between Noah Baumbach and De Palma, who mentions fun tidbits, including how it was working with the sound designer on Dressed To Kill that inspired the plot from Blow Out.

Perhaps the most fascinating extra is an interview with Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown who discusses his camerawork on the film and how he created the game-changing cinematic tool.

Also included are interviews with Nancy Allen, De Palma’s 1967 experimental film Murder à la Mod, a collection of on-set photo stills, original trailer, and an booklet featuring an essay by critic Michael Sragow along with late critic Pauline Kael’s original review.

Final Verdict:

For fans of uncompromising, dark cult classic thrillers, Blow Out is a must-see, and for De Palma obsessives it’s also a must-own. It belongs in any discerning film buff’s collection, and Criterion’s 4K upgrade is the impeccable rendition that this movie deserves. Criterion once again proves why it’s the pinnacle of film restorations.

Special Features (ported over from 2011 Blu-ray release):

• Interview with director Brian De Palma, conducted by filmmaker Noah Baumbach
• Interview with actor Nancy Allen
• Murder à la Mod, a 1967 feature by De Palma
• Interview with cameraman Garrett Brown on the Steadicam shots featured in the film within Blow Out
• On-set photographs by Louis Goldman
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by critic Michael Sragow and Pauline Kael’s original New Yorker review of the film