Pulp Fiction Review
Known for its relentlessly quotable dialogue - rich with razor-sharp wit and incessant pop culture references - for its iconic characters and unforgettable shots; and for its stunning blend of striking, unflinching violence, and ironic humour; for its non-linear narrative and the distinctive style pervading throughout, Pulp Fiction ushered in a new era of crime dramas, with endless imitators but no equals, even from Tarantino himself.
Back in the early nineties, before Tarantino had been established as a household name, the now-acclaimed director/writer/actor conceived a film trilogy with overlapping characters, each part to be written by different scribes. Although the full project would never quite reach fruition in the way that he had originally envisaged, Tarantino would release his entry – Reservoir Dogs – to critical and commercial success; his breakthrough in the film industry. Before its release, however, he went to work on perfecting the second entry, with a central story crafted by writer Roger Avary. It was not the first time that Tarantino had worked on a story by Avary; the man had originally written the story that, through Tarantino’s embellishments, would go on to become the basis for Tony Scott’s True Romance, and he did the same here, writing a story called “Pandemonium Reigns” – basically the story arc revolving around the gold watch – which Tarantino would take, adapt, and forge into what we now know as the crime classic Pulp Fiction.
Whilst Avary would share the joint credit with Tarantino when it came to the Best Original Screenplay Oscar that they were awarded, his career would go downhill almost as quickly as Tarantino’s soared. On the one hand, this is something of a shame, but on the other, perhaps the most important aspect of all the stories they worked on together was the dialogue – something which was largely contributed by Tarantino himself. That said, to this day, Tarantino has not achieved the same level of lean filmmaking he did back in the old days. Despite the epic runtime, Pulp Fiction was his most refined work. There wasn't a wasted second.
... an instant yet endearing classic... making big studios sit up and take notice of smaller independent R-rated features once again
Casting was also a work of genius. Not only did he cast players who were perfect for the parts, but he also single-handedly rejuvenated a whole bunch of actors whose careers, for one reason or another, had been in limbo at that time. Now any and everybody wants to work with Tarantino, but back then it was a gamble which well and truly paid off. Willis would take the role that could have been the comeback of the century for Mickey Rourke (a perfect choice given his real-life experience as a battered boxer), earning himself a second wind in the process, back at a time when he was mostly coasting on Die Hard sequels. Sam Jackson would finally achieve A-list stardom, despite two decades of hard slog in the industry, in a part Tarantino specifically wrote for him, and Travolta would take the role Michael Madsen would eternally regret turning down, and get his own chance at a second stardom. And that's even before the rest of the all-star contributors, like future Kill Bill star Uma Thurman, the perpetually underrated Harvey Keitel, Ving Rhames, Rosanna Arquette, Tim Roth, Eric Schultz, and Amanda Plummer. As well as, of course, Christopher Walken, competing with Keitel - who, after Reservoir Dogs, enjoyed some of his finest later-era roles with Tarantino - for the best cameo of the movie.
Despite its seemingly countless imitators, Pulp Fiction would remain both distinctive and utterly timeless. Tarantino would fashion a film that appeared to be almost devoid of placement in any specific era, incorporating classic cars, classic sets – like the 50's Jack Rabbit Slim’s diner – and iconic outfits (the black suits and skinny black ties) into a movie which defied association with any specific decade. To this day, Pulp Fiction doesn’t feel dated, and the set and costume design contributed no end to this.
In addition, Tarantino tried something new with the score – he had none. There is no score, just a series of perfectly-chosen song tracks that play out over the movie, often incorporated diegetically through one of the characters flipping on a record. From Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon to Son of a Preacher Man, the stunning blend of little-known gems pooled together to form the ideal backing to the on-screen exploits; effortlessly marrying up with the dialogue, whilst similarly blurring the line as to which era Pulp Fiction was supposed to be associated with. It was one of those supremely popular soundtrack albums which was played to death – rinsed – by millions of fans in the decades since, but which remains utterly inseparable from the filmic masterwork.
Despite the budgetary restrictions – Tarantino had just over $8 Million to play with – the end result would look far classier than you would think possible for that sum, and would go on to reap almost a quarter of a billion at the Box Office. It would shift the dynamic of theatrical movies once again, reaffirming the idea of clever, adult features which dared to take risks with subject-matter, violence, language and intention. It criticised the paint-by-numbers productions that Hollywood was churning out at the time - and still is - becoming an instant yet endearing classic in the process, and making big studios sit up and take notice of smaller independent R-rated features once again. It's clearly one of the most significant films of all time. But perhaps more importantly, it’s also one of the greatest.
Pulp Fiction 4K Video
Pulp Fiction comes to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Paramount. The Ultra HD Blu-ray delivers an excellent 4K presentation, with added Dolby Vision HDR for good measure.
The film is presented as a 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 image in the original theatrical aspect ratio of widescreen 2.39:1, using a Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), High Dynamic Range (HDR10 and Dolby Vision), and is encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec.
We reviewed the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of Pulp Fiction on an LG 55B7 Dolby Vision 4K Ultra HD OLED TV with a Panasonic DP-UB820EB-K Dolby Vision HDR10+ 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player.
... for once, a Director's approval of a 4K video presentation appears to be not without merit
As was the case on Reservoir Dogs, the early era of Tarantino works was a deceptively grain-free period - back then he reportedly shot his features on 50 ASA film stock, one of the slowest stocks available, which requires substantial lighting but yields extremely impressive images that are - naturally - almost devoid of grain. It's a throwback tactic to an older era of studio filmmaking, when that was the only stock available, and Tarantino's tactic to implement it not only in daylight scenes (which is basically where it's supposed to be used) but in all scenes, including darker interiors and nighttime scenes, has left it an absolute standout in 4K.
Detail is excellent, with no signs of overt digital manipulation, clearly lovingly cleaned up and restored - and encoded for that matter - and delivered with fabulous, supremely filmic clarity, with a depth and texture despite the lack of more prominent grain, as already explained.
WCG and HDR (of the Dolby Vision variety) implementation is faithful and respectful, allowing for deep inky blacks and rich tones that don't betray the original style of the piece, but do afford a few absolutely standout moments in amidst it all - the bookended robberies yielding some dashes of sunlight through the windows that you might not have even noticed before, or at least might not have seen in a state where they weren't overblown, and the Jack Rabbit Slim sequence a fantastic demo scene ripe with gorgeous midnight blues. The release is reportedly Tarantino-approved and, for once, a Director's approval of a 4K video presentation appears to be not without merit. Outstanding.
Pulp Fiction 4K Audio
Pulp Fiction's 4K Blu-ray doesn't have any 3D object-orientated Dolby Atmos flavouring, but the rollover DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track - which fans will undoubtedly already be familiar with - is an outstanding aural accompaniment nonetheless, so we should really try hard not to complain too much that it hasn't been remixed for this release.
... try hard not to complain
The track wonderfully balances those now-classic song tracks with some eventful effects noises – both large and small – and offering up a track that is equal parts powerful and precise. Dialogue can be remarkably variable, from absolute whispers right through to near-deafening shouts, and yet it is never less than clear and coherent; never distorting; and taking precedence over the front and centre channels – right where it should be considering its importance in this ever-quotable feature.
Effects range from incidental environmental sounds; car and traffic noises; and restaurant hubbub through to handgun shots; shotgun blasts; silenced machine pistol bursts and a couple of louder crash noises – each one is given presence across the array, with directionality and movement across the surrounds allowing you to pinpoint exactly where they are coming from in relation to the visuals. The LFE channel pays attention throughout, offering up its services wherever appropriate, lending the track some added weight. Finally, that fantastic soundtrack is resplendently observed. It may not be Atmos, but it's a great track nonetheless.
Pulp Fiction 4K Extras
Pulp Fiction's UK 4K release from Paramount doesn't offer us anything new, but does port over all of the old legacy features, a few of which actually make it onto the 4K disc itself.
... all the old legacy features
4K Ultra HD™ Disc Not the Usual Mindless Boring Getting to Know You Chit Chat Here are Some Facts on the Fiction Enhanced Trivia Track |
Blu-ray™ Disc Not the Usual Mindless Boring Getting to Know You Chit Chat Here Are Some Facts on the Fiction Pulp Fiction: The Facts – Documentary Deleted Scenes Behind the Scenes Montages Production Design Featurette Siskel & Ebert "At the Movies" - The Tarantino Generation Independent Spirit Awards Cannes Film Festival – Palme d'Or Acceptance Speech Charlie Rose Show Marketing Gallery Theatrical Trailers TV Spots Still Galleries Enhanced Trivia Track Soundtrack Chapters |
Conclusion
Pulp Fiction 4K Blu-ray Review
Utterly entertaining, endlessly quotable, blisteringly stylish and daringly different, Quentin Tarantino's seminal 1994 masterpiece Pulp Fiction is easily one of the greatest movies of all time.
... well worth adding to everyone's Christmas list
Paramount's 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of Pulp Fiction delivers a fabulous Dolby Vision HDR-enhanced native 4K presentation, with the old, still impressive, soundtrack and extras. It's well worth adding to everyone's Christmas list.
Pulp Fiction is out now on 4K Ultra HD™ + Blu-ray™, and 4K Ultra HD™ + Blu-ray™ Limited-Edition Collector’s SteelBook®
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