The ‘Burbs (1989) (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-Ray]

Director: Joe Dante

Cast: Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher

Release Date: March 20, 2018

A Review By: Kevin Lovell

Disc Rating: 9/10

Synopsis:

Tom Hanks stars in The ‘Burbs, a comedy about a suburbanite whose plans for a peaceful vacation at home are disturbed by a creepy new family on the block. Much to the disappointment of his wife (Carrie Fisher), Ray Peterson (Hanks) and his three neighbors set out to investigate the next-door residence after they begin to observe strange happenings. Set in an average neighborhood that is anything but ordinary, The ‘Burbs blends slapstick comedy and spine-thrilling mystery and is superbly directed by cult filmmaker Joe Dante (Piranha, Gremlins, Matinee, The Howling).

The oddball comedy ‘The ‘Burbs’ tells the story of a happy suburban community that’s thrown into disarray when the various neighbors with a bit too much time on their hands become convinced that their new neighbors are murderous lunatics and begin a hilarious quest to prove the truth. Directed by the wonderfully talented Joe Dante (Gremlins 1 & 2, The Howling) and featuring a spectacular cast that includes Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun and Corey Feldman, ‘The ‘Burbs’ is a delightfully dark and hilarious comedy that was originally released in February of 1989 and has been a personal favorite of mine since childhood. One which I’m thrilled to say still holds up remarkably well to this day and never misses a beat with its clever take on bright, happy suburban life gone off the rails. Now at long last available to own in a wonderful Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release from Shout Factory’s Shout Select label that’s truly worthy of this marvelous comedic gem.

‘The ‘Burbs’ arrives home in a new Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release from Shout! Factory, marking the 44^th entry in their ongoing Shout Select numbered collection and a tremendously worthy addition to the lineup to say the least. Always one of my personal favorites, this delightfully odd little comedy still holds up remarkably well after all these years with its dark sense of humor and over the top moments, not to mention a marvelous cast led by Tom Hanks that couldn’t have been more perfectly selected; if you’ve never had the pleasure of this hilarious comedic gem I would highly recommend making a point of doing so, it’s definitely something truly special. This new Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release from Shout Select serves up wonderful high definition video and audio presentations of the film (with an HD video presentation from a new 2017 2K Scan of the Interpositive) in addition to a noteworthy collection of bonus material including the Original Workprint of the movie from director Joe Dante’s archive which features deleted and extended scenes, plus the documentary ‘There Goes The Neighborhood: The Making of the Burbs’ and plenty more (more detailed information regarding the bonus content can be found in the special features section of the technical specification coverage below) which should altogether easily make this one a definite must own for any fellow fans of this memorable dark comedy that have been long awaiting a noteworthy Blu-ray release of the movie; something that has finally arrived courtesy of this new Collector’s Edition from Shout Select.

Overall, fellow fans of this wonderful and strange little ride from director Joe Dante and starring Tom Hanks will almost surely want to make a point of picking up a copy of Shout Select’s new ‘The ‘Burbs’ Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release. This new Blu-ray release of the classic comedy arrives home sporting fantastic high definition video and audio presentations on the feature film, accompanied by a rewarding collection of extras that should thrill fans including the nearly Feature length Documentary “There Goes The Neighborhood: The Making of The ‘Burbs’ and much more. It’s a magnificent release altogether that finally offers longtime fans of this wonderful movie a worthy BD release with all of the fixings at long last; without doubt the definitive Blu-ray release of ‘The ‘Burbs’.

VIDEO:

The Shout Select Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release of ‘The ‘Burbs’ features a full 1080p High Definition presentation utilizing the film’s original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio from a ‘New 2017 2K Scan of the Interpositive’. The video presentation looks wonderful as a whole and provides a sharp, detailed and smooth presentation from start to finish that still retains some grain and other mild elements representative of its source. It holds up admirably even during the numerous darkly lit sequences and never allows anything occurring on screen to become negatively affected or rendered indiscernible. Overall, this is a fantastic high definition video presentation that should have no trouble satisfying fellow fans of this memorable dark comedy.

AUDIO:

The Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release features a lossless 2.0 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. This lossless stereo soundtrack sounds great and delivers a crisp, clean and problem-free audio presentation throughout. It effortlessly balances the dialogue, score and other various audio effects between the two channels without any element ever conflicting with another; all the while offering fans a smooth and generally impressive audio presentation that should easily please. Overall, this is a solid 2.0 channel DTS-HD MA soundtrack that effortlessly delivers in every way necessary throughout its course.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The Shout Select Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release of ‘The ‘Burbs’ includes a healthy collection of bonus content that fellow fans should thoroughly appreciate. Included on the release is an ‘Audio Commentary with Writer Dana Olsen, moderated by Author Calum Waddell’, in addition to an in-depth documentary looking back on the film in ‘There Goes The Neighborhood: The Making of the The ‘Burbs’ (running approximately 66 minutes in length) which includes interviews with Director Joe Dante, Actor Corey Feldman and more. The release also features some additional separate interviews including ‘An Interview with Director Joe Dante’ (approximately 19 minutes), ‘An Interview with Photographer John Hora’ (11 minutes) and ‘An Interview with Film Editor Marshall Harvey’ (10 minutes). We’re also treated to the ‘Original Workprint Version of the movie from Director Joe Dante’s Archive’ (approximately 1 hour, 46 minutes) which features deleted and extended scenes not seen in the theatrical edition of the film. Also included is an ‘Alternate Ending’ (the same ending featured in the workprint) (7 minutes), the ‘Theatrical Trailer’ (90 seconds) and ‘2 Still Galleries’: a ‘Behind the Scenes Gallery’ & a ‘Stills & Posters Gallery’.

*Please note that the above images are taken from the Blu-Ray and resized. They additionally will suffer quality loss as a result of .jpg compression. Larger versions of each image can be viewed by clicking on the image. All images and content included on this Blu-Ray release are the property of their respective owners.

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Disc Rating: 9/10

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‘The ‘Burbs’ is Now Available to own on Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from Shout Select!

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You can purchase ‘The ‘Burbs: Collector’s Edition’ by clicking on the Amazon Cart icon immediately below, or purchase it directly from Shout Factory by Clicking Here!