20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Flashback' (1990) Blu-Ray Review - Unlikely Buddy Comedy Is Harmless Fun
Dennis Hopper and Kiefer Sutherland make a screen team that spans generations in Flashback. Infamous '60s radical Huey Walker (Hopper) has been caught by the Feds and is headed for prison under the watchful eye of an uptight FBI agent (Sutherland). Easy enough, right? But when Huey turns the tables on his escort, the two are in for a ride that's anything but easy. Carol Kane, Paul Dooley, and Cliff De Young also star in this laugh-packed road trip (emphasis on trip)!
For thoughts on Flashback, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:
Video Quality
Flashback debuted on Blu-Ray in 2023 with an inconsistent digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer derived from an older master that could use a refresh with its various drawbacks. The transfer retains a respectable amount of natural film grain, although there appears to be some amount of processing applied. Subtle signs of print damage show up sporadically, but it is an overall clear viewing experience. This is a pretty soft image for most of the runtime, but some fine detail can be observed in the clothing and backgrounds. Colors are somewhat muted yet stand out in certain moments in terms of saturation. Black levels are irregular with crush and compression artifacts occasionally visible in this presentation. Skin tones are natural and consistent across the ensemble. This feature could get a nice uptick with a fresh master, but it does what you need it to if you don't mind a careless HD presentation.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray presents the film with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track and a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo track that are quite a bit better than the video side of things. The witty dialogue comes through clearly in tandem with all competing sounds. The environmental effects, such as rushing river water and train noises, are defined without turning into an auditory mess. The soundtrack presents an immersive experience for audiences. Nearly every tune emerges with a forthright fidelity, but you do hear the slightest bit of strain in some notes. Shout! Studios has done good work overall. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.
Special Features
There are no special features provided on this disc.
Final Thoughts
Flashback is a pretty standard unlikely buddy comedy that plays well enough within the conventions. Kiefer Sutherland seems a bit too stiff for this role, but Dennis Hopper seems to be completely in his element. Carol Kane is a scene-stealer who allows that back half of the film to feel a bit more lively. This is a good candidate for a mindless weekend watch. Shout! Studios has provided a Blu-Ray featuring a dated A/V presentation and zero special features. Fans of the talent involved will want to seek it out, but casual audiences may want to sample before they buy.
Flashback is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Shout! Studios has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
