The Film
Twenty-five years ago, I was driving to a movie theater with my parents. The entire way there, my father was going on and on about how the movie Goodfellas could not have been based on actual events, because "there's no such thing as the mob." We entered the theater and took our seats, as the conversation continued. Then, the screen went black and his entire argument was blown out of the water. In bold, white lettering, it said: "This film is based on a true story."
Of course, you can't expect any Hollywood depiction to be completely factual. That said, if even a quarter of Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas is based on truth, it's mind-blowing. It also scary, insanely entertaining, and required viewing. In fact, if you need a recap of the movie, you need to reassess your movie-watching prorities.
Goodfellas focuses on the life of Henry Hill (played to perfection by Ray Liotta), who spent 25 years as an associate of the Lucchese crime family before a lengthy cocaine binge/business forced him to become an FBI informant. Everyone and everything in this movie is excellent, from beginning to end.
Robert De Niro is slick and smooth as career criminal Jimmy Conway, "the kind of guy that rooted for bad guys in the movies." Joe Pesci rightfully won an Oscar for his portrayal of psycho killer Tommy DeVito. ("I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?") Paul Sorvino doesn't have a lot of lines as the strong but silent mob boss, but he doesn't really need to. ("Paulie may have moved slow, but it was only because Paulie didn't have to move for anybody.") And of course, Lorraine Bracco isn't just arm candy, but is a bold presence, even if she is blinded by love as Henry's wife Karen. ("The truth was that no matter how bad I felt, I was still very attracted to him. Why should I give him to someone else?") I could go on, but really, I shouldn't need to; haven't you seen this movie a million times already?
If not, that needs to be corrected immediately. This film is one of Scorsese's finest -- and that's some seriously high praise. The story, the acting and the cinematography are all the best of the best. After 25 years, Goodfellas will keep you glued to the edge of your seat and your stomach in knots. It will also keep you completely entertained from beginning to end.
The Picture
Goodfellas has already been released on Blu-ray twice, so it's understandable that you wouldn't want to invest in another purchase. If you have one of the previous releases, you probably weren't all that impressed. In fact, the idea of another crappy release probably makes you want to put someone in the oven, head first. Thankfully, that's not necessary. This is the Blu-ray you've been waiting for.
According to the press release, this film "has been remastered from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, supervised by Martin Scorsese." If this doesn't prove that everything Scorsese touches is gold, nothing will. The 1.85:1 transfer isn't just a huge improvement; it's actually a lot of fun to watch. While it's not as razor sharp as a new release, this is absolutely the best this film has ever looked -- and it's pretty darn impressive for a 25-year-old movie. That memorable outdoor scene where the three main characters are digging up remains ("Hey, what do you like, the leg or the wing, Henry? Or ya still go for the old hearts and lungs?") shows off some excellent black levels. However, the overall color and the detail is just as good. If you've seen any of the previous Blu-ray versions, it should be obvious from the first frame that this is a huge upgrade.
The Sound
While I was hoping that some of the gunshots would be a little more immersive, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track will certainly keep you jumping. When Joe Pesci sticks Billy Batts repeatedly with a kitchen knife, it's plenty detailed. The awesome soundtrack is a real standout here, whether it's Tony Bennett, The Crystals, Bobby Vinton, The Rolling Stones, Derek and The Dominos or Sid Vicious. The dialogue is especially impressive, too. Ray Liotta's narration is simply awesome. But really, no matter who is talking, mumbling, or gasping for breath, every word is crystal clear.
The Extras
That omission aside, fans should be pleased with this package. Most of the extras were picked up from previous releases and put onto a second Blu-ray. That list is plentiful and pretty darn comprehensive. However, Warner Bros. has also included a new documentary, "Scorsese's Goodfellas." The 30-minute featurette has Scorsese, along with Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, editor Thelma Schoonmaker, writer Nicholas Pileggi, and producer Irwin Winkler. Again, Pesci is absent. Instead, frequent Scorsese contributors Leonardo DiCaprio and Harvey Keitel pop up to give their two cents about the film and its influence.
Final Thoughts
An iconic film should have a Blu-ray release to match its status. Is this 25th anniversary edition of Goodfellas worthy? It's darn close. The film itself is so good, you probably purchased at least one of the two previous releases. However, if there's any movie deserving of a triple-dip, it's this one -- and Warner Bros. is certainly making it worth the extra money. The new image alone makes this release one you'll want to pull out on a regular basis.
Product Details
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