Plot: What’s it about?
Otto Maddox (Emilio Estevez) has a short temper and when his boss at the grocery store ticks him off, he storms out of the place and decides to find work somewhere else. Otto had plans for his future at one time, but now that he has learned what happened to his college fund, he has lost his high hopes for the time being. It seems his parents have given his tuition fund to preacher on television, leaving Otto with few options as to what to do with his life. He lives in a miserable section of town and with few jobs to be had, he soon finds himself in a state of desperation. But when the prospect of adventure and potential cash enters his life, he thinks perhaps things might be picking up after all. He meets Bud (Harry Dean Stanton), a repo man who is perhaps the best in the business and soon, Otto is being schooled in the ways of the craft. Otto loves the rush of the profession and seems to be good at it, which is why he decides to attempt to track down a ’64 Malibu, which the government has placed a massive reward on. What is so special about this particular car and just what is so important that’s hidden in the trunk?
I love this format (DVD) and if you even need to ask why, then this Repo Man disc is a perfect example. Repo Man is a true cult classic in all respects and has been poorly released on home video before, so I didn’t expect much else when/if it arrived on our beloved format. But thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay, we have THX approved version of this film, complete with anamorphic widescreen and a Dolby Digital 5.1 remix. Add in some nice special features and this disc is a prime example of why these shiny discs are so damn cool. I never thought Repo Man would be treated this well, but I am very glad the time was taken to do this disc right. The film itself a quirky comedy loaded with subtle (and not so subtle) touches, but you have to possess a certain sense of humor to appreciate it all. This is a low budget film to be sure, but the film has elements more important than cash, such as solid acting, good direction, and excellent writing. This film won’t be for everyone, but if you’re at all interested, I recommend checking out this disc. If you’re a fan of this cult classic though, race to the local shop and nab a copy of this superb disc.
Although he hasn’t made too many films in his career, Alex Cox has created a few timeless films that seem to grow in popularity with each passing year. This film is one of them to be sure, one of those movies that you just have to see and if you don’t, someone you know will harass you until you do. In high school, this movie was almost a rite of passage in my friend circle, like if you haven’t seen Repo Man, how can you discuss movies at all? This is all the more impressive since the film was made in 1984 and over 15 years later, people still exclaim how fresh the movie is. If that isn’t a testament to this movie, I can’t imagine what would be. Cox delivers a hilarious low budget picture with Repo Man, one that deserves to be called a true cult classic. Other films directed by Cox include Death and the Compass, Straight To Hell, Sid and Nancy, and Walker. Emilio Estevez (The Mighty Ducks, Mission: Impossible) has the lead in this film and he plays Otto to perfection, which ensures the base of the film is established. The supporting cast is also a treat though, including such performers as Tracey Walter (Erin Brockovich, Kiss The Girls), Sy Richardson (Men At Work), Susan Barnes (Nothing To Lose), Del Zamora (Robocop), and Harry Dean Stanton (The Green Mile).
Video: How does it look?
Repo Man is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. This is a low budget film made in 1984, so I didn’t expect much from this transfer, but in the end I was very pleased with the results. I’ve seen this film on a plethora of home video editions, but this one is light years better than any of the previous releases I’ve seen. I was surprised to find the grain and debris on the print to be minimal, which meant the contrast would be stark and well balanced. This opened up detail and definition I’d never seen in the film before, I was very happy with this treatment. The colors look natural, perhaps a little faded, but no real issues to be concerned with. A fine visual presentation, we can all finally own this one in good form.
Audio: How does it sound?
This disc sports a new Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix and while the bulk of the film sounds the same, the awesome punk rock soundtrack sounds better than ever here. The music drives this film and helps build the proper tone, which is why I am so pleased this remix allows it to come across in such fine form. The rest of the audio is also good, but this film doesn’t call for much in terms of power audio, so the music is the only punch you’ll get from this one. The surrounds see other limited action, but most of the audio resides in the front channels, where it should be. I never had a problem with the dialogue at all, each word came through loud & clear and showed no signs of age in the least. This disc also houses a 2.0 surround option and has been closed captioned.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc contains both video & theatrical trailers for the film, as well as some talent files. I was able to find a strange hidden feature as well, which is a short video piece that runs over the repo man’s code. It isn’t much, but it is still a cool little hidden bonus element. The main supplement however, is an audio commentary track with writer/director Alex Cox, executive producer Michael Nesmith, the casting director Victoria Thomas, and a few actors from the film. This is a packed track at all times, but I never had trouble understanding them and knowing how was speaking at certain moments. This was a fun listen and I think fans of the movie will want to take the time to give it a spin also.
