Disc Reviews
Narc 4K Review
Narc wasn’t Joe Carnahan’s first feature film, but it is considered his first foray into the system, which took notice of him. The film was a shot in the arm that action and thrillers needed in the early 2000s. It had all gone a bit stale at this point, and Narc deftly, as often is the case with film, brought things right back to earth and gave its objective some real grit. To get there, Carnahan wrote a tough screenplay, hired two still very much hungry actors and gave the film a feel we hadn’t seen, whilst managing to recall some of the rawer side of 70s cinema.
The plot features two newly partnered detectives as they work to solve the murder of a fellow officer. The deeper they go the darker the world gets; the more boundaries are pushed and their trust is tested to the limit.
Jason Patric is probably one of the most underutilised actors of his generation. He has high points for sure: The Lost Boys gave him a wide appeal, Rush and Sleepers showed us his adeptness at character work, Speed 2 may have been a bomb where he filled in for a vacant Keanu Reeves, but if that film failed and there were people to blame, Patric was at the bottom of that list. In the past 15 years, he’s popped up in the occasional diverting Hollywood piece, like as the main bad guy in the very underrated The Losers, and then in a slew of direct-to-digital thrillers that even I won’t make excuses for. Sat in the middle of this heap is Narc. Patric, along with the very much missed Ray Liotta are both on absolute fire in this, both bringing their A-game to one of those thrillers that strikes hard and fast and leaves the viewer with the kind of satisfaction that independent film needs to be alive more now than ever.
As for the bonus features. Carnahan, actress Krista Bridges, and the costume designer are featured in fairly recent interviews looking back on the film. These were put together by Arrow Video. They also provide a video essay featuring an interview with the DoP, which makes it all the more illuminating as he describes various visual processes across the film.
There are then the standard extras from previous releases. Archival bonus features which the best part of is the feature commentary with Carnahan again, but also featuring the film editor John Gilroy. Both bounce off each other very well and Carnahan, in particular, knows how to analyse scenes as they play.
So, welcome to 4K Narc, it’s good to see you again.
Steven Hurst
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• 4K remaster from the original negative by Arrow Films
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
• Double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
• Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring writing by Michelle Kisner, an interview with producer Diane Nabatoff and archival interviews and articles
DISC ONE – FEATURE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original stereo audio and Dolby Atmos surround audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Archival feature commentary with director Joe Carnahan and editor John Gilroy
• Introduction from director Joe Carnahan
DISC TWO – EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)
• Shattering the Blue Line, an interview with writer/director Joe Carnahan
• Shooting Narc, a video essay on the look of Narc featuring an interview with director of photography Alex Nepomniaschy
• If You Live Another Day, an interview with actor Krista Bridges
• The Journey of the Costume, an interview with costume designer Gersha Phillips
• Making the Deal, a vintage promotional featurette looking at the making of the film
• The Visual Trip, a vintage promotional featurette looking at the visual style of the film
• The Friedkin Connection, a vintage promotional featurette interviewing William Friedkin and discussing the connections between his body of work and Narc
• Shooting Up, a vintage promotional featurette looking at the making of the film
• Vintage EPK interviews with Joe Carnahan, Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Diane Nabatoff, Alex Nepomniaschy and William Friedkin
• Theatrical trailers
• Image gallery
Narc is out on 4K Blu-Ray on July 7th