Flatliners (Arrow Video) 4K Blu-ray Review + Screenshots

Leave it to Arrow Video to give one of the most overlooked films the blu-ray it deserves.

Studio: Arrow Video
Release Date: August 10th, 1990 (theatrical) / August 2nd, 2022 (4K blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 54 minutes 10 seconds
Region Code: FREE
Picture: 2160p (2.35:1 aspect ratio)

HDR: HDR10
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt
Written by Peter Filardi
Directed by Joel Schumacher
Rating: R (language, violence, and sexual content including nudity)

NOTE: Screenshots are taken from the blu-ray that Arrow Video is releasing the same day as the 4K blu-ray.

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Poster

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What's It About?

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Film Review

I remember when FLATLINERS was released in 1990. The poster was everywhere. Every time we went to the movie theater, there the poster was. When it hit video in 1991, the poster was in every video store. I remember watching SISKEL & EBERT when they reviewed the film and getting excited about seeing it.

Then I waited 32 years to actually sit down and watch the damn thing. Why? I have no idea. When I finally sat down to watch the film, I was surprised by how good it was. The first thing I noticed was the filmmaking. The film's look is unique with its Dario Argento lighting and gothic architecture. You would never expect a film about med students who kill themselves for a few minutes to look this good. Joel Schumacher always gets shit for the two BATMAN films he made, but what people don't realize is that he was a great filmmaker before and he was a great filmmaker after those films. He gave us THE LOST BOYS, FALLING DOWN, A TIME TO KILL, THE CLIENT, and 8MM. Sure, his BATMAN films are less than good (BATMAN FOREVER is pretty decent, but BATMAN & ROBIN is awful), but his other films are worth watching.

FLATLINERS may not make audiences today happy as they might find it too slow or boring, but they are missing out on a really great flick. It doesn't have much in the way of graphic violence, but it does have a ton of atmosphere and the cast is to die for.

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Video/Audio

Featuring a brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative, and presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, FLATLINERS looks impressive. I had just watched the Mill Creek blu-ray about a month before I received this disc for review and I have to say that this transfer blows the Mill Creek on out of the water. Film grain is present and can be a bit heavy at times. Detail is high for the most part. Colors, especially the blues and reds, really stand out with the HDR doing a great job of balancing everything out.

The included DTS-HD Master Audio tracks are so much better than the Mill Creek track as well. The James Newton Howard score sounds so good and the atmosphere is just right.

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Extras/Packaging

Audio Commentary by Bryan Reesman and Max Evry
The Conquest of Our Generation (19m 11s, HD) A brand new video interview with screenwriter Peter Filardi, shot exclusively for Arrow Films in 2021
Visions of Light (18m 23s, HD) A brand new video interview with director of photography Jan de Bont and chief lighting technician Edward Ayer, shot exclusively for Arrow Films in 2021
Hereafter (14m 22s, HD) A brand new interview with first assistant director John Kretchmer, shot exclusively for Arrow Films in 2021
Restoration (10m 27s, HD) Brand new video interview with production designer Eugennio Zanetti and art director Larry Lundy, shot exclusively for Arrow Films in 2021
Atonement (11m 35s, HD) Brand new video interview with composer James Newton Howard and orchestrator Chris Boardman, shot exclusively for Arrow Films in 2021
Dressing for Character (6m 26s, HD) Brand new interview with customer designer Susan Becker, shot exclusively for Arrow Films in 2021
Theatrical Trailer (1m 27s, SD, 1.33:1)
Image Gallery (12 images)

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Overall

FLATLINERS is a really great horror flick that has a great look and atmosphere. I really regret not watching this film decades ago, but I am still happy that I finally did watch it. The 4K blu-ray, from Arrow Video, is the best edition this film has ever gotten. The picture quality is so good and the special features are worth the time. I can't do anything else but give this release a must buy recommendation.

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Extras/Menus