Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]

Great price for a classic movie on Blu Ray. The case is pretty cool as well.

Definitive physical media copy of this classic film. Captures the essence of Hunter S Thompson's most celebrated novel while adding a few things from director Terry Gilliam that make it even more bizarre. (Gary Busey's addition as the policeman that interacts with Duke that made the final cut is hilariously memorable) A film that requires multiple views and a knowledge of 60s and early 70s politics and counterculture to fully understand. But for my money, one of the best adapted screenplay films ever to be made. Johnny Depp and Benecio Del Toro are fantastic, and the casting is pretty flawless. Maybe too absurd and druggy to be understood by the average moviegoer but I love the criterion version of this masterpiece.

Criterion does it again. I can almost stop the review there, people know what to expect from here. But if you're new to the Criterion thing, here goes. Why pay for the Criterion edition: -You get the film. I won't go over it too much because it's such a cult classic. The short version is that this is a drug-fueled road trip movie about big themes. Thompson uses the backdrop of Las Vegas and a nearly-forgotten reporting assignment in Vegas to make a larger commentary on America and the American Dream. His speech about when "the tide rolled back" is incredibly poignant. The film is very divisive, as many people can't get over the fact that the main characters are- to be frank- bad people. But this movie isn't about glorifying these people, it's about showing how sick and twisted American society can get. If nothing else, it shows you what it's like out there on the edge so you don't have to go there yourself. -Beautiful art by Thompson's long-time friend and co-conspirator, Ralph Steadman. Not just the cover, but some interior pieces in the booklet and galleries on disc as well. The main menu is Steadman inking the "Fear and Loathing" logo. It's amazing to see him working. -All the words. Thompson was a writer, so Criterion's included essays mean more than ever. In the booklet there's film critic and other essays like always. On disc various people read Thompsons' words, including Thompson himself. One feature includes Depp reading letters to and from Thompson, it's a hoot. -Commentaries. You get to hear you choice of director Terry Gilliam, stars Depp and del Toro, or Thompson himself narrating. Go crazy, it's your trip. -Normally you'd say something about the transfer at this point, but there's not a lot to say. Terry Gilliam filmed this masterpiece in such a way that it probably looks best on an old VHS tape in a rickety television that cuts off the edges of the picture. The transfer is great, but not why anyone would see this film. This is a great film. You may want to see it slightly inebriated on first viewing, or just late at night so it can really terrify your dreams, just don't go too far. The movie already does that for you.

This movie was requested for a Christmas gift. Recipient was very happy.

So we have two vastly different 4K transfers of this film, and I'm glad we do. Arrow's very good transfer looks more like Criterion's previous bluray, but to my disappointment it has even more red, making some iconic scenes almost a bit flat and weird looking. The OG Criterion on bluray also had a pretty flat transfer, probably faithful, with almost a bit too much red. Gilliam was sometimes known for that, but it didn't really give the picture all that much life. Well this one is a lot different. It pops with colors that are a bit more modern. The thing is not every scene looks too different, but many have the infamous teal and cooler color timing, yet in my mind it really works for this film in particular. Criterion was said to have gone back to the negative, and I have no clue what is what or who is right. Does anybody need to be right? Arrow's to me looks lifeless in some shots, and pretty faithful to the last Criterion in others. For this release I have to give it my backing. It transforms the film. The modern grade doesn't hurt this modern film. It has a very trippy vibe that pretty much blends right in with the new color timing. I don't think many are going to be disappointed here. I for one am glad they had the balls to do something slightly different, if even they have claimed it is faithful to their sources. Some of the iconic shots actually do look more like some of the marketing shots, so maybe they are right I don't know. All I do know is that this looks HOT, and you should probably get this version. I wouldn't say that about a film like T2, where I think the color timing with more teal kind of kills the desert LA 90s vibe of the film. For this one it's so hallucinatory that the added color and depth really gives it life. Easy recommendation.

I love this movie and this piece is a great addition to the criterion collection

The car contains two bags of grass, 75 pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, a galaxy of multicolored uppers, downers, screamers, and laughers. There is also a quarter tequila, a quarter rum, a case of beer, a pint of raw ether, and two dozen emoles

The movie itself is great. If you haven't seen it, give it a shot. I can quote lots of it verbatim and it's been a large inspiration for me. Or as Hunter would prefer, it's been a great fuel for me. It's Criterion so you probably already know the deal. Tons of extras. It's fantastic if you're really a junkie for this stuff like I am. I'll have to stop procrastinating at some point a d go through it all. There's even a full length documentary too, if memory serves. I got it for a great price and there's always variables to consider with any purchase, but it was a no-brainer for me.

Great extras included

Awful hallucinogenic drivel. No structure whatsoever - after all in a hallucination anything can come before or after anything else. I wasted my time after the first few seconds, hoping it might improve. It doesn't !

Thanks to a recent sale I was finally able to add Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas to my collection. The picture and sound are perfect, plus the exclusive extras really round out the package. The documentary about Hunter Thompson in Hollywood was something I really wanted to see, I'm really happy it was included with this set.

One of the greatest movies ever presented in the best possible way.

Great gem