With an explosive intro that leaves dozens of gangsters dead aboard a cargo ship, we learn the only survivor is Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) a crippled conman. Kint narrates the history of how the heist got planned for us, and why not? He has total immunity from the after delivering his testimony to the cops. Agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) has followed Kint and crew to LA to try to bust one of their gang: ex cop Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne). As time winds down until Verbal’s release Kujan gets Kint to tell the whole story from start to finish, including the goods on fellow goons McManus (Stephen Baldwin), Hockney (Kevin Pollak), and Fenster (Benicio Del Toro). But one of the immigrant crew that was nearly wiped out wakes up from their injuries and starts blabbing about the ship being hit by a ghost like figure known as Keyser Söze. The only thing Kint is scared of is Söze’s wrath, and perhaps not even the cops can save him from that.
The Production: 5/5
27 years past its first release and TUS has never looked or sounded better, probably not even on first show. This new scan is crystal clear, punchy and detailed both sonically and visually. There are only two real problems holding this from being one of the best catalog drops in years: Star Spacey’s legal troubles over allegations of groping and rape, and an absolute zero on supporting behind the scenes extras. There is a recycled director’s track if you want to count that, but I do not. Oh sure there are a bunch of other extras if you check the included bluray but those are all recycled too.
TUS really got me on first viewing with it’s intricate back and forth between the cops putting pressure on him and Kint’s unreliable narration of the tale. It has only grown and been emulated, parodied and praised ever since. I had to hold my nose at watching Spacey but I do my best to separate the ugly real lives of participants from the artistry created by hundreds of collaborators. There is no question about the greatness of this film and to let it fall off the earth because one of its stars was and is a felon would be too much, even for me.
Video: 5/5
3D Rating: NA
Truly delicious to see the film look this good. I’ve seen some griping by folks about the color timing but this version is approved by the cinematographer so I take them at their word that this version looks like it is supposed to, regardless of what other versions may have shown, even in the theatrical release. Detail, color, sharpness all come together with a perfect cleanup.
Audio: 5/5
For a mid budget 1995 era film the sound is top notch too. Guns and explosions all hit perfectly and there’s a number of pans that hold up even today. The music is also eerie and fantastic, led by John Ottman’s chilling noir orchestration.
Special Features: 1/5
Zero Point Zero on the 4k disk. There’s also mostly repeats found only on the bluray. To be fair there is a new 16 minute interview with Cinematographer Sigel there but I have yet to dig it out. Perhaps watching that will talk about the color timing controversy?
-Audio Commentary by Director Bryan Singer and Writer Christopher McQuarrie
-Audio Commentary by Editor/Composer John Ottman
-The Devil in the Details: NEW Interview with Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel (16:32)
-Pursuing the Suspects (24:57)
-Doin’ Time with the Suspects (26:46)
-Söze: Lie or Legend (18:36)
-Interview with John Ottman (17:43)
-Original EPK Making-of Featurette (6:40)
-Heisting Cannes with The Usual Suspects (4:14)
-Deleted Scenes – Hosted by John Ottman (9:23)
-Gag Reel with Intro (7:11)
-Cast & Crew Interview Outtakes (3:01)
-U.S. Theatrical Trailer with Intro by John Ottman (3:45)
-International Trailer (2:23)
-TV Spots (3:25)
Overall: 4.5/5
The Usual Suspects remains a classic, THE example of how Noir survived and was reborn in the 90s and is still celebrated today. Even its own start falling from grace can’t dampen the fact that it was and is the complete package: Looking great, sounding great, making you think and great performances. I just wish they had been able to pull the surviving cast back to get some more new extras in there. Oh well!
The Usual Suspects (4KUHD)
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Sam is both a moderator and reviewer at Home Theater Forum and is the voice behind Home Theater United, the Home Theater Forum Podcast which he started with cofounder Brian Dobbs. Sam has long advocated modest, best “bang for the buck” theater components and is loving every minute of this golden age of home audio-visual magic. Sam is a software engineer, a former volunteer firefighter, a current planning commissioner, leader of a large board gaming group and the personal servant of two tuxedo cats.
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