Fight Club 4K review by Bobby Blakey
Director David Fincher has established himself is one of the deeper filmmakers with a lot of subject matter delving into dark elements including Panic Room, The Game, The Social Network, Zodiac, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and my personal favorite Seven. In 1999 he unleashed the genius that is Fight Club onto audiences starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Jared Leto and Meat Loaf.
Fight Club follows a nameless first-person narrator who attends support groups in an attempt to subdue his emotional state and relieve his insomniac state. When he meets Marla, another fake attendee of support groups, his life seems to become a little more bearable. However, when he associates himself with Tyler, he is dragged into an underground fight club and soap-making scheme. Together the two men spiral out of control and engage in competitive rivalry for love and power.
The moment I saw this film in the theaters in 1999 I was hooked. I love this movie on every level and have watched it numerous times. The social commentaries, the performances, the gritty tone all wrapped into this intense dramatic story is pure perfection. Even knowing the twist ending it still holds up just for the intense ride it takes on throughout its insane trip. Norton and Pitt are perfection here with them being the perfect bookends to the story made all the better when you finally discover the truth. The supporting cast are just as great with Meatloaf’s “Bob with the bitch tits” being a standout story all his own.
I don’t want to just dwell on the perfection of the original film because its been reviewed to death, but more on this new version that messes with it is a little bit.
Fincher has done some tinkering with the visuals to the film that I am sure are somehow closer to the vision he wanted, but I think ti does hinder some elements of the film. It in no way ruins it because the film is just too strong, but some of these changes like cleaning up some character blemishes, lense flares etc. just seemed unnecessary and took away the grittiness of the original vision. Most may not even notice it unless you watch the film as often as me and I still love it in all its high-def glory.
In addition to the 4K Ultra HD release, New Regency and Insight Editions will also release a companion Fight Club 25th Anniversary art book, featuring “never-before-seen visuals, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes content. This collector’s piece will offer fans the deepest look yet into the making of the film and its enduring legacy.
Step back into the ring and grab your copy of Fight Club available now on 4K from New Regency and 20th Century Studios.