Go (1999, Dir: Doug Liman) Mediumrare

[mjjckc]

This is a tough re-release to obtain information about. The film's title being so SEO unfriendly doesn't help either.

I'm in the US, and ordered from Rarewaves.

• Length is 1:41:54, a 2 second difference from the DVD Compare stats for the original
• The disc is Region B LOCKED. The usual Panasonic stop/top menu trick doesn't work. Instead I used my backup LG Region B player.
• The film has only (UK) English subtitles.
• The only included special features are a commentary track, trailer, and deleted scenes sourced from what appears to be a dailies VHS.

The review of the original Sony 2009 release gave the PQ a 3.5/5

Go arrives on Blu-ray with a satisfactory 1080p, 2.40:1-framed transfer. The transfer appears a bit dull throughout, though it seems to capture the film's tone quite well. The drab palette lends to the film a disturbed, downtrodden, weathered appearance that reflects the story's somewhat depraved and dangerous yet curiously lighthearted feel. Detail suffices throughout; the backgrounds inside the grocery store where all of the varied food items of many distinct shapes and sizes are kept tend to make for the best-looking imagery throughout the film. Go also features a fair share of hazy, smoky shots, particularly those in the strobe light-intense and blue-tinted night clubs scenes that look fine, never accompanied by any unsightly banding, blocking, or other assorted maladies. Grain remains a consistent companion throughout Go, appearing moderately heavy in most scenes yet spiking to an even higher degree here and there. Blacks are mostly solid, generally dark and true, but perhaps a bit too bright in a few select scenes. Likewise, flesh tones are generally fine, but occasionally take a slight turn towards the red end of the spectrum. Go won't push any Blu-ray doubters over the edge, but it should satisfy fans that realize that not every transfer is going to look like the latest Pixar release.

Without access to the original Sony release to compare it to, I can't say anything definitive, but I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be a direct port of the original Sony. Yes, it is a dated master, but it certainly doesn't look as bad as say a Mill Creek re-release of a Sony title in the US would. Until a 4K remaster becomes available, this is likely the cheapest/easiest way to obtain a copy of the film.

Missing special features:

• The aptly-titled Making of Featurette (480p, 6:20) takes an all-too-brief and completely generic look into the behind-the-scenes world of Go.
• A trio of 480p music videos: New by No Doubt (4:32), Magic Carpet Ride by Philip Steir (3:22), and Steal My Sunshine by Len (3:56).

are all easily found on YouTube.

UPC: 5030697049803