Synopsis:
STEALING. CHEATING. KILLING. WHO SAYS ROMANCE IS DEAD? In 1993, action movie supremo Tony Scott teamed up with a hot new screenwriter named Quentin Tarantino to bring True Romance to the screen, one of the most beloved and widely-quoted films of the decade. Elvis-worshipping comic book store employee Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) is minding his own business at a Sonny Chiba triple bill when Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette) walks into his life – and from then on, the two are inseparable. Within 24 hours, they’re married and on the run after Clarence is forced to kill Alabama’s possessive, psychopathic pimp. Driving a Cadillac across the country from Detroit to Hollywood, the newlyweds plan to sell off a suitcase full of stolen drugs to fund a new life for themselves… but little do they suspect that the cops and the Mafia are closing in on them. Will they escape and make their dream of a happy ending come true? Breathtaking action set pieces and unforgettably snappy dialogue combine with a murderers’ row of sensational performances from a stunning ensemble cast in Scott and Tarantino’s blood-soaked, bullet-riddled valentine, finally restored in dazzling 4K with hours of brilliant bonus features.
What We Thought:
I know I should absolutely love True Romance. I’m a big fan of its director Tony Scott. It has a fantastic cast from its leads Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette to its supporting cast like Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, James Gandolfini and the iconic Brad Pitt stoner character. It’s violent and dark. All those are things that should make it one of my all-time favorite movies like a lot of people. But it’s not. To be honest with you I hadn’t seen it in over 20 years because I was never a fan of it. I got this new 4K release and decided to give it another shot after all this time.
What did I think? I still don’t love it, but I don’t mind it now. The acting is top-notch. The leads are your classic Romeo & Juliet meet Bonnie & Clyde. The supporting cast is filled with mobsters, actors, gangsters and everyone you meet on the way. The pacing is fast and intense thanks to Scott. You are introduced to these characters and it spins out quickly from there. In a matter of time you go from Detroit to Los Angeles after a violent incident that forces them out of town. It’s 100% a Tony Scott film.
The problem is its writer. I’ve never been a fan of his work. I only like one of his movies (as a director) and have skipped others because of him. Before he became an award worthy filmmaker, this was the movie that put him on the map. People love his dialogue and style. I don’t. He’s wordy and hip and brings dialogue that you understand why these characters would use, but I still don’t love it. His fanboys will crucify me for not liking him and it’s why I haven’t even typed his name. It’s mentioned above so you know who I mean. It’s what keeps me from loving this movie.
All that being said, True Romance has never looked better in a home release. This new 4K is without a doubt worth its price between the restoration and its slew of bonus features. You could spend an entire weekend going through everything that comes in this release from countless commentaries, to interviews and the booklet. If you are a fan of True Romance than this is absolutely for you. Even though I don’t love the movie the bonus features are a film class in their own right.
Bonus Materials
- New 4K restorations of both the Theatrical Cut and the Director’s Cut from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films
- Limited Edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck
- 60-page perfect-bound collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Kim Morgan and Nicholas Clement, a 2008 Maxim oral history featuring interviews with cast and crew, and Edgar Wright’s 2012 eulogy for Tony Scott
- Double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck
- Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of both cuts
- Original uncompressed stereo audio and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
- Audio commentary by director Tony Scott
- Audio commentary by writer Quentin Tarantino
- Audio commentary by stars Christian Slater & Patricia Arquette
- Audio commentary by critic Tim Lucas
- Select scene commentaries by stars Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Brad Pitt and Michael Rapaport
- Brand new select scene commentaries by stars Bronson Pinchot and Saul Rubinek
- New interview with costume designer Susan Becker
- New interview with co-editor Michael Tronick
- New interview with co-composers Mark Mancina and John Van Tongeren
- New interview with Larry Taylor, author of Tony Scott: A Filmmaker on Fire
- Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Tony Scott
- Alternate ending with optional commentaries by Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino
- Electronic press kit featurettes, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Tony Scott, Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper and Gary Oldman
- Trailers and TV spots
- Image galleries
The Nerds Templar 