The Long Kiss Goodnight 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of The Long Kiss Goodnight by Arrow Video promises a visually enthralling experience, meticulously restoring the film from its original 35mm camera negative. Presented in its native 2.39:1 HEVC 2160p format, this release capitalizes on HDR10 and Dolby Vision to amplify its visual depth. The careful color grading by Duplitech emphasizes vibrant primary colors, particularly reds and blues, providing them with striking vividness. While some aspects, such as prison suits, may appear more saturated than expected, the overall palette contributes to the film's memorability. The transfer preserves intricate details with clarity, as depicted in elements like Samuel L. Jackson's tweedy cap. The overall grain is resolved finely, although certain sequences—namely the opticals in dream scenes—do exhibit an increase in graininess and reduced detail.

In comparison to earlier 1080p versions, which were criticized for issues such as banding and color oversaturation, this 4K UHD version provides a marked improvement. This newer version, supervised by Harlin himself, eradicates previous flaws, offering a pristine viewing experience devoid of problematic artifacts. The resolution enables consistent excellence in detail throughout the majority of the film. The Atmos audio mix rounds out the package by supporting the film’s rich visual content with engaging sound performance, a testament to Arrow Films’ commitment to restoring it with high fidelity. Overall, this release stands as a testament to the efforts of Arrow Films to deliver an immersive cinematic experience, preserving both the artistic integrity and technical quality of this 1996 action classic effectively.

The audio presentation on the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Long Kiss Goodnight" features Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and 2.0 stereo mixes. The Dolby Atmos track delivers a largely immersive experience with an effective introduction of verticality via strategic placement of sounds, especially during high-intensity moments like the climactic explosions. Subtle atmospheric contributions are noticeable, as demonstrated in quieter scenes such as the early jailhouse encounter where ambient prison noises are accentuated above. However, some reviewers note a lack of consistent height awareness in certain sequences.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is closely competitive with Atmos, maintaining a strong dynamic range with well-distributed sound channels fostering an engaging auditory environment. The LFE elements are selectively impactful, offering punches of deep bass that enhance specific action sequences, although they could benefit from increased depth for a more immersive effect.

Across all tracks, dialogue reproduction is consistently clean and clear, ensuring intelligibility without distortion or clipping. This robust clarity is essential for maintaining engagement through the film’s dialogue-driven sections. The inclusion of optional English subtitles aids accessibility and comprehension throughout the audio presentation. Overall, each audio option provides its own distinct appeal, offering viewers adaptive sound environments that accommodate different preferences in audio fidelity and immersion.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of "The Long Kiss Goodnight" is notable for its extensive collection of extras, expertly curated for fans and newcomers alike. The package includes a mix of new interviews and archival footage, offering a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at various aspects of the film's production. The commentaries by Walter Chaw and Joshua Conkel with Drusilla Adeline provide in-depth insights into the film's context and creative decisions. The inclusion of newly recorded visual essays by film scholars and exclusive interviews with cast and crew members adds significant value, appealing especially to those interested in film analysis and production techniques. Additionally, the visual presentation of the extras maintains high-quality standards, enhancing the overall viewing experience. This edition is a collector's asset, featuring reversible sleeve artwork and other limited edition-themed goodies.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Walter Chaw: In-depth analysis from a film critic.
• Commentary by Joshua Conkel & Drusilla Adeline: Insightful perspectives on the film.
• Image Gallery: Compilation of stills from the film.
• Girl Interrupted: Interview with actress Yvonne Zima.
• Symphony of Destruction: Interview with stunt coordinator Steve Davidson.
• Long Live the New Flesh: Dialogue with make-up artist Gordon J. Smith.
• Amnesia Chick: Visual essay on identity themes by Josh Nelson.
• The Mirror Crack'd: Essay on domesticity by Kevin Marr and colleagues.
• A Woman’s World: Discussion on roles for older women actresses by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.
• Deleted Scenes: Previously unseen scenes in UK/US releases.
• Promotional Interviews: Archival interviews with cast and crew.
• Making Of: Vintage promotional featurette.
• Behind the Scenes: Archival filming footage.

"The Long Kiss Goodnight," directed by Renny Harlin and scripted by Shane Black, shines in its 4K UHD release with a sharp re-scan from the original camera negative, complemented by immersive Dolby Atmos audio. The film, released in 1996, stars Geena Davis as Samantha Caine and Samuel L. Jackson as Mitch Henessey. Initially overlooked at the box office, it has since developed a cult following for its clever dialogue, strong performances, and energetic pacing.

Geena Davis delivers a stellar performance, deftly navigating between her character's dual personas: the gentle schoolteacher Samantha and the lethal assassin Charly Baltimore. Davis’s portrayal brings depth to these transformations, marked by a fierce physicality and emotional range. Her co-star, Samuel L. Jackson, infuses the film with his iconic charisma, serving as both comedic relief and moral compass. Their scenes together bring a dynamic energy, with Jackson's impeccable timing enhancing their interplay.

Harlin’s direction emphasizes intense action sequences, such as a gripping snowy car chase and an adrenaline-pumping diner fight, truly capitalizing on Davis' impressive physical performance. Unlike many of its contemporaries, the film is unafraid to present Charly as a genuinely dangerous character, showcasing her skills with unflinching realism. Shane Black's script enhances this with witty dialogue and unexpected plot twists, offering a thoughtful exploration of identity alongside high-paced thrills. His trademark humor provides a balance to the storyline's violence, making the film both engaging and thought-provoking.

In retrospect, "The Long Kiss Goodnight" stands out as a forward-thinking action film that deftly combines humor, pathos, and pulse-pounding sequences—an understated gem truly deserving of its newfound appreciation in this 4K presentation.

The newly released 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Long Kiss Goodnight" by Arrow Video provides an exceptional viewing experience for fans of high-octane thrillers. Directed by Renny Harlin and penned by Shane Black, the film is known for its intense action sequences and witty dialogue, featuring a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. This restoration amplifies its thrill factor with a stunning HEVC 2160p resolution that offers vibrant imagery, supported by Dolby Vision HDR. The Dolby Atmos audio track further enhances the cinematic impact, creating an immersive audio experience that complements the powerful visuals.

This edition includes an impressive suite of features that capture the essence of the film’s original charm while upgrading it for contemporary home viewing. With English Dolby Atmos compatible with Dolby TrueHD 7.1, along with secondary audio tracks in DTS-HD MA 5.1 and DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo, the Blu-ray ensures sound quality that matches the high-definition video. The use of HDR10 brings out the film’s vivid contrast and color depth, with metadata boasting a MaxLL of 787 nits and MaxFALL of 517 nits for true cinematic brilliance.

In conclusion, Arrow Video's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Long Kiss Goodnight" presents a technically superior version of this cult classic, warranting attention for its elevated visual and audio fidelity. It is a testament to how well this high-energy thriller stands the test of time and technology. Once again Arrow is offering fans of a cult film (and/or cult director) a veritable smorgasbord of solid technical merits and really appealing supplements. With plot elements akin to "The Bourne Identity" and even "Overboard," the film in its new format is highly recommended.