Rampage (1987) - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Coldly, clinically, Charles Reece (Alex McArthur) comes home and commits a triple murder. He mutilates the corpses of the two women. Some time later, he repeats the process and slaughters a woman and her child. Reece, whose character is inspired by real-life serial killer Richard Chase, kills his victims to drain them of blood and drink their blood. He’s a twisted, sick individual. But, the film wonders, is he in control of his actions? Can he help himself, or is he too far gone?

The case prosecutor, Anthony Fraser (Michael Biehn), a self-described liberal who is vehemently opposed to the death penalty, reconsiders his stance when it comes to Reece. The way Fraser sees it, with the defense going so hard for a not-guilty-by-reasons-of-insanity play, they run the risk of Reece getting set free to continue his murderous rampage all over again. Whether or not he can or can’t help himself, Reese thinks that the safest thing for everyone is to have him wiped from the face of the earth.

Rampage is an intriguing premise, on paper. In actual practice, it’s not necessarily bad; it’s just very broad with the statements that it makes. A story like this, which looks at a deranged series of murders and asks questions about morality relative to those murders, needs to have a more delicate, subtle hand. If there’s anything lacking in Rampage, it’s subtlety. The defense attorneys, who lie and skew the truth, are portrayed as naïve idiots, making the gravest mistake on the planet. And while we’re meant to question the motives of Reece, he’s played like a classic, mustache-twirling victim. He never comes across as anything remotely sympathetic. He’s a monster.

The film’s structure, focusing first on the investigation and then on the ensuing trial, feels like a precursor to an episode of Law & Order, setting the template for that series and its various spinoffs. The difference with something like Law & Order, though, is that those writers tend to have a better understanding of criminals and criminality. Having Reece be such an over-the-top villain who, as we learn from witness testimony, was actually a decent, nice fellow, does a disservice to a story like this. It doesn’t feel grounded in any sort of reality. It feels like a series of “what ifs” in order to provoke conversation about the subject.

William Friedkin has been all over the place in terms of quality. He’s made some of the best films ever made—and he made three of them all in a row. He’s also made some absolute stinkers. Rampage is nowhere near the bottom of that barrel, but it is disappointing because it has the potential for greatness. There is a discussion to be had about the nature of murder and the morality of our justice system. Friedkin just doesn’t know how to put it together with this particular story, so it never really says anything meaningful.

During production, producer Dino De Laurentiis ran into financial problems and was unable to properly release Rampage, where it remained largely unseen until five years later, when Miramax picked it up for distribution. The released version sees a slight restructuring, and even though it’s five minutes shorter overall, it adds a scene at the beginning with Reece premeditating his first onscreen murder. The ending is different, too. Both movies, overall, have about as much to say about the subject. Neither version is necessarily superior; one’s just a little bit more cynical than the other.

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Rampage comes to 4K UHD Blu-ray in a two-disc release, housed in a standard case with a removable slipcover. The case and the slip contain identical artwork, with the killer’s eyes peering through a tear in the poster, breaking the fourth wall. Both discs (4K and Blu-ray) contain two versions of the film: The original cut and the 1992 re-edit with the alternate ending.

Both versions of the film, the original cut and the re-edit, are presented in 4K/Dolby Vision and in 1080p on the Blu-ray disc. The original cut’s scan is sourced from its original 35mm negative, while the re-edit’s scan is sourced from its 35mm interpositive. Both cuts look real, real close in overall quality, but the original cut, sourced from the original camera negative, does look a bit sharper, with more detail. At the end of the day, both versions look terrific. Rampage was shot by legendary cinematographer Robert D. Yeoman, a frequent collaborator with Wes Anderson. Unlike many newer restorations that hit 4K disc that come out looking almost too crisp and clean, this disc from Kino Lorber is great about matching the film’s overall style, aesthetic, and tone. So, while Rampage is richly detailed and colored, it’s also rife with dirt specks and debris. It’s on the grittier end of the spectrum, a barebones telling, so the grain and grit over the presentation suit it well.

Like most Kino Lorber releases, Rampage comes equipped with two audio options: A 2.0 stereo option and a 5.1 surround option. Many Kino discs that have re-jiggered surround options sound great. That is not the case here. The 5.1 mix sees frequent rear-speaker activity, but it is often a chaotic, staticky mess, with no sense or reason for which effects are placed on the rear of the soundstage. It’s a mess. The good news is that the original mix is great, so stick with the 2.0 option. Ennio Morricone’s musical score packs a punch, and the occasional sound effects, like a gunshot or skidding tires on a moving vehicle, are appropriately loud, without being overly loud. Dialogue never gets lost in the mix, either, which is important for what is, overall, a quiet drama propelled by the conversations people have with each other.

While Rampage doesn’t pack a ton of features, the ones it does have are informative and robust, including audio commentary on both cuts of the film and new interviews.

4K Disc

• Audio Commentary – Film Historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson (both cuts)

Blu-ray Disc

• Audio Commentary – Film Historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson (both cuts)
• Where’s the Blood? (HD 16:06) – Interview with actor Alex McArthur
• Psychotic Vampire (HD 19:14) – Interview with true crime writer Harold Schechter
• Theatrical Trailer

Rampage is an admirable effort. It treats its story with sensitivity and with gravity. What it’s saying is an important discussion worth having. Where do unrepentant murderers fit in with our society? Is it justifiable to kill them, as they’ve killed others? Neither the film nor I, for that matter, purport to have all of the answers. But, while the film tackles a serious issue with an appropriate tone, it’s not always successful. It lacks a necessary nuance and, despite being directed by one of the best filmmakers who’s ever lived, it often feels like an extended episode of Law & Order. Kino Lorber’s release looks and sounds terrific, so fans of the film are in for a treat with this new transfer. Rampage is Recommended.