HUDSON HAWK (1991)
Label: Mill Creek Entertainment
Region Code: A
Rating: R
Duration: 100 Minutes
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)
Director: Michael Lehmann
Cast: Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Andie MacDowell, Richard E. Grant, Sandra Bernhard, Donald Burton, James Coburn
Hudson Hawk (1991) was a bit flop at the box office when it came out, but I think it has since gone onto to become a bit of a minor cult-classic, the crime caper-comedy stars Bruce Willis (12 Monkeys) as a cat-burglar nicknamed the "Hudson hawk" who has just been released from prison after a long stretch. The guy wants nothing more than to go legit and enjoy a cup of cappuccino, but between the interference of his former partner Tommy 'Five-Tone' Messina (the late Danny Aiello, Jacob's Ladder) and his crooked probation officer he's gonna find both going legit and getting that cappuccino a bit difficult. Eventually he's roped into a crime-caper to steal Da Vinci's secret to turning lead into gold, which involves stealing Da Vinci artifacts from various high-profile and well-guarded museums.
Also mixed up in this caper is CIA spook George Kaplan (the late James Coburn, Our Man Flint) and his candy car code-named agents Almond Joy, Snickers, Butterfinger and the creepy Kit Kat, played by a never weirder David Caruso, (Session 9). The goofy laughs come more often than the action in this one, but what really sends it right over the top is that the heist is being masterminded by Darwin (Richard E. Grant, The Player) and Minerva Mayflower (Sandra Bernhard, The King of Comedy) who come off as ultra-weirdo Bond villains, maniacally laughing all the time, demented and strange with crazy comic book evil plots. It's all a weird and silly bit of farce but I've loved this one since I was a kid watching it on cable TV, where it aired constantly. Willis is a charming guy, he's having a blast here, and it's just good jokey fun.
Audio/Video: Hudson Hawk (1990) arrives on Blu-ray from Mill Creek Entertainment in 1080p HD framed in 1.85:1 widescreen in 1080p HD, the visuals looks solid, very filmic with a good-looking grain structure throughout. The cinematography from Dante Spinotti (L.A. Confidential) really stood out for me on this viewing, just one of the many things about this comedy that have aged well through the years. Audio comes by way of english DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo with optional English subtitles, dialogue is crisp and clean with some good use of the surrounds during atmospheric and more action-packed moments of zaniness.
There are no extras what-so-ever, only a static menu offering the option to watch with/without subtitles. The single-disc release comes housed in a single-sided sleeve of artwork featuring what looks to me a variation of the an original poster design.. This also comes with a retro VHS-style slipcover featuring different original movie poster artwork, with the disc having an image from the film on it.
It's a bit of a bummer that the extra from the 2007 Sony special edition DVD still have not been ported over onto any Blu-rays that I've seen, including a audio commentary from the director, deleted scenes, and featurettes, but you can pick this up for under $10 and it looks great. .
More Screenshots from the Blu-ray:
