Natural Born Killers - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook

Filmmakers like Oliver Stone have been talked about and dissected ad nauseum, especially in the ways people used Natural Born Killers to prognosticate mass violence after the film’s release. Yes, I think there’s a conversation to be had about the effect of in-your-face, Hollywood-produced movies and their effect on the youth of the nation, but blaming a movie that satirizes societal ills for creating violence just emboldens the film’s entire argument. And yes, Stone is not a subtle man, similar to how I describe Terry Gilliam on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Needless to say, you’re either along for the ride or not.

Burdened by the trauma they experienced as kids and spurred into action by an abusive father played by Rodney Dangerfield, Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis) take to the road for a trip filled with psychotic fulfillment. In just about every town Mickey and Mallory stop in, they leave a wake of violence and death. And as they cut their way across New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada. Naturally, the cops are hot on their tail. But what happens when Mickey and Mallory’s own psychopathy makes everyone else start going mad? Well, a lot happens!

I’ve always flip-flopped a bit on my overall view of Natural Born Killers. In college, I thought it was probably one of the best movies ever made, as there’s nothing like overworking to impress people by attaching yourself to the sociopolitical leanings of a movie. After college, I found it trite and way too much given much better, deeper satires done by other filmmakers. But now, I find it trite, way too much and all the better for it. There’s absolutely no way to defend Mickey and Mallory’s actions in the film, and the film certainly makes it difficult for you not to feel complicit in all the madness. That’s the unique power, though, in that it’s impossible to separate yourself from what’s happening on screen. This is an unadulterated view of America from a guy who was constantly at war with himself.

On the umpteenth viewing, I found myself gravitating toward the mix of visual styles used throughout the film; The way they’re used to distort details in the frame before flipping to another example of America at its worst. It’s the kind of filmmaking that’s both justly and unjustly criticized for throwing everything at a wall to see if it sticks. In Stone’s case, every single performer showed up ready, willing and able to buy into the madness. Take Tommy Lee Jones’ prison warden for example. Here’s a character that really could be used as window dressing during an important section of the film, but Jones imbues it with the exact right amount of furor toward the American prison industrial complex.

Natural Born Killers has aged in the best way possible. In an America where everyone is divided by violence and the social structures that we entrust aren’t working for the people, Mickey and Mallory can be seen as heroes that shake up the status quo. Not saying that’s a good thing at all, but it certainly makes you think.

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Mickey and Mallory shoot their way into your collection with a three-disc release that comes in a limited-edition steelbook case with new front and reverse art. The 4K disc is a UHD100, while both standard Blu-rays are offered with BD50s. All three discs boot up to standard menu screens with options to play the film, set up audio and video, explore bonus features and select chapters.

Natural Born Killers is a highly stylized film, with a mix of shooting formats, including 8mm, 16mm and 35mm, plus some early Sony Betacam work. Always worth noting before diving into the nitty gritty, since the exposure to 2160p is much more unique here than on a film shot mainly on 35mm. For those wishing for a beautiful rendering of Robert Richardson’s cinematography without the DNR smear seen on the director-approved transfer on Oliver Stone’s Platoon, I’m eager to report that you get exactly that. This is a gorgeous presentation aided by Dolby Vision HDR that pulls the most out of the source. Those grainy digital news segments may not look much better in 4K, however the 8mm, 16mm and 35mm footage all see huge upgrades in fidelity and contrast over previous transfers. The sun-baked look of New Mexico feels much more domineering with Dolby Vision HDR bringing out all those brown and orange hues. I frequently found myself enamored with the small little dalliances dropped throughout the film as if it was served through vaporwave. The HEVC encode handles the mixed media visuals wonderfully, and the source looks to be in incredible condition with nary a mark of damage. This is a big winner for fans of the film.

You get DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo tracks to choose from on this release, and the 5.1 track makes full use of the multiple channels to envelop you in the garish soundscape of the film. Dialogue is clear and crisp, bass is nice and full-bodied without being too much, plus the rear channels really come alive during key sequences of violence. So, many times throughout the film. Source is similarly in terrific condition and I heard no damage to report. Oh, and “Burn” by Nine Inch Nails sounds great as well, now finally put back into the film.

As for special features, Shout carries over plenty of archival features from previous releases, but then adds a handful of new interviews for fans to enjoy. There’s a great new interview with editor Hank Corwin where he talks about being one of the only sober people on the production, and being promoted to lead editor in the middle of shooting. Always interesting to hear how an editor feels about cutting together mixed media styles, and this interview is no exception. The new interview with cinematographer Robert Richardson is also great, as he talks about needing to stand confident with Stone throughout production to execute his vision, plus he has some great anecdotes about the prison riot sequence.

Disc 1: 4K Blu-ray of Director’s Cut

• Audio commentary by director/co-writer Oliver Stone

Disc 2: Standard Blu-ray of Director’s Cut

• Audio commentary by director/co-writer Oliver Stone
• On Dawn’s Highway Bleeding – Interview with editor Hank Corwin (HD 12:04)
• The Scream of the Butterfly – Interview with producer Clayton Townsend (HD 11:50)
• A Bloody Pail of Nitro – Interview with special makeup effects artist Gordon J. Smith (HD 11:14)
• Wilderness of Pain – Interview with cinematographer Robert Richardson (HD 24:13)
• Introduction by Oliver Stone (HD 3:43)

Disc 3: Standard Blu-ray of Theatrical Cut

• Audio commentary by director/co-writer Oliver Stone
• Natural Born Killers: Method in the Madness (HD 15:47)
• Natural Born Killers Evolution: How Would it All Go Down Now? (HD 22:00)
• Chaos Rising: The Storm Around Natural Born Killers (SD 26:30)
• Deleted scenes (SD 20:49)
• Alternate ending with intro by Oliver Stone (SD 4:54)
• Theatrical trailer (HD 1:47)

Natural Born Killers is back and in stunning 4K UHD courtesy of Shout Factory. This new three-disc edition easily beats out previous releases of the film, plus both archival and newly produced special features have been added to deepen your appreciation of this divisive work from Oliver Stone. This release comes Highly Recommended. Just don’t follow what Mickey and Mallory do, of course. 

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