Blu-Ray Review: Criterion Launches Blu-Ray Division With 1990s Independent Hits

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGO – Criterion made their debut on the next-gen format this month with a series of imports from standard to Blu-Ray, the first film by a regular for the Collection, Wes Anderson’s “Bottle Rocket”, and the movie that introduced Wong Kar-wai to the world, “Chungking Express”.

“The Third Man” and “The Last Emperor” were two of the most lauded releases on standard DVD for The Criterion Collection, so their inclusion in the first wave of Criterion Blu-Ray titles makes sense, but making “Bottle Rocket” and “Chungking Express” two of Criterion’s premiere HD titles was an unusual choice from a company known for doing things a little differently.

It begs an obvious question - Was anyone dying to see the low-budget debut of the Wilson brothers in stunning 1080p High-Definition? Even “Chungking Express”, with the accomplished visual sensibility of the great Wong Kar-wai, doesn’t seem like the obvious choice to take full advantage of the format.

I’m sure Criterion would argue that every movie they choose deserves the best possible treatment, something they’ve been pioneers in on standard DVD. After all, “The Criterion Collection is dedicated to gathering the greatest films from around the world and publishing them in editions of the highest technical quality, with supplemental features that enhance the appreciation of the art of film.” Every film deserves HD.

Bottle Rocket was released by The Criterion Collection on December 16th, 2008.

“Bottle Rocket”

Considering the massively enjoyable Criterion releases of “Rushmore”, “The Royal Tenenbaums”, and “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”, choosing Wes Anderson’s debut film to be in the first wave of Criterion Blu-Ray releases does make a bit of sense (although “The Darjeeling Limited” might have made a little more.) As Anderson says in the excellent “The Making of Bottle Rocket”, there are a lot of people, some of them famous, who truly adore “Bottle Rocket” and the Blu-Ray release of it will certainly satisfy them in every way.

Based on a 13-minute short film that Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, and Wes Anderson made when Owen and Wes were roommates at the University of Texas, “Bottle Rocket” may only hint at the potential that Anderson (and Owen as a writer) would drastically improve on with the brilliant “Rushmore” but it does have some charm of its own. Luke and Owen play best friends Anthony and Dignan, two lovable losers who stage a ridiculous robbery and go “on the lam”. Anthony falls for a sweet South American housekeeper named Inez (Lumi Cavazos) and the gang gets involved with a famous thief named Mr. Henry (James Caan).

Bottle Rocket was released by The Criterion Collection on December 16th, 2008.

“Bottle Rocket” is a little inconsistent, but it was a film that instantly put three names - the Wilsons and Wes Anderson - on the movie map and holds a very special place in their fan’s hearts.

The 1996 cult hit has been remastered to a nearly flawless HD picture and accompanied by a DTS-HD Master Audio stereo 5.1 track. The film is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. As with nearly all Criterion standard editions, the video is unimpeachable and the audio is appropriate for the film. The video is a new transfer that was supervised and approved by director Wes Anderson and director of photography Robert Yeoman.

The director-approved special features that accompany “Bottle Rocket” include a charming new commentary by Anderson and Owen Wilson. Neither of the gentlemen seem to have seen the movie in years and barely remember making it. It’s been a long twelve years for both of them and listening to them watching “Bottle Rocket” is like peeking in on someone watching old home movies.

“The Making of Bottle Rocket” is an HD documentary made in 2008 with interviews with both Wilson brothers, Anderson, the producers of the film, including James L. Brooks, and even James Caan, who hilariously compares his three-day shoot to being as difficult as taking left-corner on “Hollywood Squares”. The original 13-minute short film is included alongside eleven deleted scenes, anamorphic test, storyboard, location photos, behind-the-scenes photograph by Laura Wilson, “The Shafrazi Lectures, No. 1: Bottle Rocket”, and “Murita Cycles”, a 1978 short film by Barry Braverman that inspired the film.

Criterion always includes something interesting in the packaging as well and “Bottle Rocket” not only comes in a nice, eco-friendly, cardboard slip case but includes a booklet with essays by Brooks and a well-known admirer of the film, Martin Scorsese.

‘Bottle Rocket’ is released by The Criterion Collection and stars Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Robert Musgrave, Lumi Cavazos, and James Caan, and was written by Owen Wilson & Wes Anderson and directed by Anderson. It was released on December 16th, 2008.

Chungking Express was released by The Criterion Collection on December 16th, 2008.

“Chungking Express”

My personal memory of seeing “Chungking Express” on a rainy day in London in the mid-’90s is one of my most shockingly vivid movie-going memories. “Chungking Express” was something completely new for this lover of cinema who was stuck in the rut of junk being released in 1995 and it introduced me to Wong Kar-wai, a visionary director who would go on to make even more beloved films with “In the Mood For Love” and “2046”. It’s a defining work by one of the most creative voices to come out of the international movie scene in the ’90s.

Chungking Express was released by The Criterion Collection on December 16th, 2008.

“Chungking Express” is about two heartsick cops (Takeshi Kaneshiro and Tony Leung) who have both been jilted by their ex-lovers. They cross paths late at night at the ‘Midnight Express’, a take-out restaurant stand run by the gorgeous Faye (Faye Wong). “Chungking Express” is about fate, romance, longing, and that feeling that even in a city of millions, you’re still alone. It’s a heartsick masterpiece that has not only stood the test of time, but improved with it.

“Chungking Express”, which Wong Kar-wai made during a break in the interminable post-production period for “Ashes of Time,” was first released on a standard Criterion DVD last month, so the jump to HD has been a quick one. The film has been restored with a gorgeous high-definition digital transfer with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack supervised by director Wong Kar-Wai. Like most WKW films, “Chungking” has the feeling of a dream, so the vividness of HD is a perfect fit for any of his works.

The special features on the Blu-Ray release of “Chungking Express” are a bit disappointing. One of the best accompaniments to the film is the booklet featuring a new essay by critic Amy Taubin and the commentary by noted Asian cinema critic Tony Rayns is worth a listen. Otherwise, all that’s included is a 1996 episode of the British television series “Moving Pictures” with interviews with Wong and the great cinematographer Christopher Doyle. There’s not a single special feature which includes new interviews with anyone involved with the production. It’s a minor complaint for a great movie on Criterion Blu-Ray.

‘Chungking Express’ is released by The Criterion Collection and stars Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung, Faye Wong, and was written and directed by Wong Kar-Wai. It was released on December 16th, 2008.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
tracker