Blu Tuesday is a weekly column where we review the newest Blu-ray and 4K releases, along with a brief rundown of the included bonus material, to determine whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping.
Pick of the Week: “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when a third “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie was being considered without James Gunn at the helm because the “Guardians” franchise has become synonymous with the writer/director. Gunn’s singular style is once again on display in this third installment, which operates both as a traditional sequel and a Rocket Raccoon origin story. Rocket (as voiced by Bradley Cooper) has been a standout character for Marvel ever since he was introduced in the first “Guardians” film, so it’s great to see him front and center here, while Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista and Pom Klementieff continue to excel in their roles. Though “Vol. 3” is arguably the weakest entry in the trilogy, it’s still a really enjoyable film — and the best MCU movie since “Spider-Man: No Way Home” — thanks to its excellent balance of comedy, action and heartfelt emotion.
Extras include an audio commentary by Gunn, two behind-the-scenes featurettes and more. FINAL VERDICT: BUY
Also Out This Week:
“Rio Bravo” — Director Howard Hawks’ 1959 film “Rio Bravo” is widely considered to be one of the best movie Westerns ever made. But while there’s a lot to like about the film, including a strong performance from Dean Martin and some great moments of suspense, the movie is not without its issues. For starters, it’s way too long, stretching its rather simple premise into a nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime. The romantic subplot between John Wayne and Angie Dickinson adds nothing to the story, while the third-act duet between Martin and Ricky Nelson feels forced. My biggest complaint with “Rio Bravo,” however, is Wayne himself, who is such an incredibly dull performer that, although it’s not enough to spoil the movie in any meaningful way, it prevents it from reaching the heights that it otherwise could have with someone else in the role. Extras include an audio commentary by filmmaker John Carpenter and film critic Richard Schickel. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” — The 1980s wouldn’t have been the same without the films of John Hughes. Many of the movies that he wrote and/or directed during those ten years comprise his best work, and with the exception of 1987’s “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (which was released the previous year) is at the top of that list. It’s a comedy classic that has stood the test of time thanks to memorable performances from Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck and Jennifer Grey; iconic sequences like the museum montage and the “Twist and Shout” street parade; and endlessly quotable dialogue that is still referenced today. Though Paramount’s new 4K release is only a slight improvement on previous Blu-ray editions, it’s a solid transfer that shouldn’t be overlooked. Extras include an audio commentary by Hughes, a making-of featurette and more. FINAL VERDICT: BUY
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
