BLU-RAY SPECS
Release Date: December 27, 2011
Rating: R
Running Time: 113 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: English for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Special Features: "For the Love of Punk" featurette, "Junk Love" featurette, Theatrical Trailer
THE SET-UP
Sid & Nancy tells the true story of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, whose self-destructive relationship with Nancy Spungen would ultimately lead to tragedy.
Directed by: Alex Cox
THE DELIVERY
The 1986 cult classic that tells the incredible but tragic story of Sid Vicious and his drug-addicted girlfriend Nancy Spungen gets a Blu-ray release for the first time. The appeal of the story and the fact that it is a great film has earned fans over the years, but this is hardly a sympathetic tale for either lead character.
Sid & Nancy may perhaps be the best anti-drug movie ever made. It perhaps did not set out to, but director Alex Cox (who also co-wrote the script) gives us an unflinching look at the effect drugs had on the couple. It is unflattering, and it refuses to glamorize the subject or try to put a nice neat bow on things.
A couple of fantastic performances from a young Gary Oldman as Sid and Chloe Webb as Nancy make every moment of the film riveting. Both actors totally absorb the personas of Sid and Nancy.
The music is great, and given the fact that the movie was made not too long after the story took place makes it even easier to capture the look and feel of both London and New York's underbelly. All the dirt and grime of the era's punk rock scene can be seen here, and it all feels authentic. Whether you are a fan of Vicious and the Sex Pistols or not, this outstanding film should be seen and appreciated. It deserves much better than the cult following it has now.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
This 25 year old film looks fairly good on Blu-ray, but do not expect a pristine transfer. There are some grain issues in the image, and color tones vary from scene to scene. There is decent sharpness, but the overall image did not have the stunning detail you would expect from high definition.
The sound fares better, but the DTS-HD mix sounds a bit shallow, probably because the original soundtrack has limitations. Sound clarity is good, but the accents are so thick not even a 5.1 mix could help me discern some of the words. The subtitle option helped my eyes catch what my ears did not.
SPECIAL FEATURES
For a Blu-ray promoted as a Collector's Edition, extras are not quite what fans may have hoped for. Two featurettes do provide some nice interviews with Sid and Nancy's real-life friends and colleagues, but the footage and stills are nearly all of the actors, not the real subjects. Only one quick pic of the real Sid and Nancy at the end of one of the featurettes is provided. It seems like a glaring omission. A trailer is also provided.
THE BOTTOM LINE: BUY IT OR REDBOX IT?
Ratings
Movie: A-
Video: B
Audio: B
Extras: C+
Overall Grade: B
While it is nice to see an underrated film like Sid & Nancy on Blu-ray, I was hoping for much more supplemental material for what is being touted as a "Collector's Edition." However, fans of the film will enjoy seeing the best in its best condition yet, but overall the disc only warrants a rent in my book. Only a sale price under $10 would be suitable to pick up a disc thin on extras.
Sid and Nancy: Collector's Edition is now available on Blu-ray from Fox/MGM.
Click here to order Sid and Nancy on Blu-ray from Amazon!
