Review: The Usual Suspects 4K UHD
4K UHD Blu-ray: The Usual Suspects (1995)
Whether you’ve watched the movie before or not, you’ve probably heard the name “Keyser Söze” mentioned in relation to it, such was the impact this movie had on its release back in 1995 and is still a great watch now, especially on this 4K UHD release by Arrow Films with a 4K restoration from the original negative approved by cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel.
Beginning with a massacre on a cargo ship off the coast of Los Angeles that leaves 27 men dead, Special Agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) interrogates one of the only two survivors, small-time con artist Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey). During the interview, Kint tells Kujan of how he was recruited by the fearsome crime lord Keyser Söze to commit a series of daring heists with four other crooked misfits: Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne), Mike McManus (Stephen Baldwin), Fred Fenster (Benicio del Toro) and Todd Hockey (Kevin Pollak). But as Kint’s account of the events leading up to the massacre becomes more convoluted, Kujan becomes increasingly sceptical and determined to discover the identity of the elusive Keyser Söze.
The twisting narrative keeps the viewer trying to second guess everything as facts and untruths are spilled out by various characters on a regular basis, and even on repeat viewings when all the secrets the story holds are known in advance, this is still a great watch thanks to the superb performances across the entire cast.
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
- 4K restoration from the original negative approved by cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel
- 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Original lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with director Bryan Singer and writer Christopher McQuarrie
- Audio commentary with editor and composer John Ottman
- The Devil in the Details, an archival interview with Newton Thomas Sigel
- Archival interview with John Ottman
- Round Up: Deposing the Usual Suspects, a two-part featurette delving into the creation and production of The Usual Suspects with clips, interviews with key figures, and footage from the making of the film
- Keyser Söze (Lie or Legend?), an archival featurette
- Heisting Cannes with The Usual Suspects, archival footage from the film’s world premiere at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival
- Introducing The Usual Suspects, an original EPK featurette
- Deleted scenes with introduction by John Ottman
- Gag reel
- Interview outtakes with Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, Benicio del Toro, and Bryan Singer
- International trailer
- U.S. trailer with introduction by John Ottman
- TV spots
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
- Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Barry Forshaw
- Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
Release Date: 6th January 2025.
Review by Dave from a disc kindly supplied by Arrow Films via Fetch Publicity.
