Risky Business appears in an aspect ratio of approximately 1.85:1 on this 4K UHD Disc. The Dolby Vision image appeared to replicate the source.
Sharpness usually worked fine. Some softness occurred, but those instances seemed related to the original photography, so the majority of the movie offered appealing delineation.
No issues with jagged edges or shimmering occurred, and edge haloes remained absent. Source flaws didn’t become a factor in this clean presentation, and the natural film grain led me to believe no noise reduction affected the transfer.
Colors worked fine, with a palette that leaned a little blue but seemed fairly natural overall. Given the nature of 1980s films, the hues didn’t often pop, but they appeared positive. HDR added zing to the tones.
Black levels looked dark and dense, while shadows offered appealing clarity. Whites and contrast got a nudge from HDR. Outside of restrictions related to the source, this became a good-looking film.
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack of Risky Business seemed pretty solid. Music used the speakers in the most dynamic fashion, as the score and songs demonstrated active stereo imaging.
Effects turned into a lesser partner, though they occasionally came to the fore. For instance, some train shots provided nice movement, and they also blended well with the back channels.
The surrounds didn’t have a lot to do here. Nonetheless, they reinforced the front and sporadically threw in unique information such as during those train sequences.
Audio quality remained positive. Speech appeared reasonably natural and concise, and I noticed no edginess or other problems.
Effects usually appeared pretty accurate, and the louder elements presented surprising depth. For example, the train roared to life in a manner more satisfying than I anticipated.
Music showed nice range and definition, as both score and songs boasted good dynamics. This was a soundtrack without great ambition, but it satisfied.
How does this 4K UHD compare with the Criterion Blu-ray? Both came with identical audio.
The Dolby Vision image boasted mild improvements in definition, colors and blacks. While it didn’t blow away the Blu-ray, it became the more satisfying of the two.
The Criterion release mixes old and new extras. We find both the film’s theatrical version (1:39:14) as well as a Director’s Cut (1:39:15).
No, this doesn’t mean the DC simply extends the theatrical edition by one second. Instead, the DC comes with an alternate ending.
This means the DC presents a more ambiguous and bittersweet finish to the film. Is it better? Maybe, maybe not, but it’s interesting to see.
Note that the prior Blu-ray included the DC’s ending. However, it didn’t integrate this finale into the actual movie and just presented it on its own.
Alongside the theatrical version, we get an audio commentary from writer/director Paul Brickman, producer Jon Avnet, and actor Tom Cruise. All three sit together for this running, screen-specific chat that looks at cast and performances, the script and its creation, sets and locations, relationships during the shoot, music, and various anecdotes from the production.
On the negative side, the commentary sags on a few occasions, so we end up with more dead air than I’d like. There’re also the inevitable bouts of praise and happy talk.
Nonetheless, the track includes a good examination of the film. It comes as a pleasant surprise that the three participants chat together, as I expected an edited, non-running piece. This ends up as a generally positive discussion.
Note that the original Blu-ray from 2008 presented this as a video commentary. However, that format added little.
A semi-fun one-minute, 24-second intro launched it but the video commentary itself didsn’t bring anything to the set. It just showed the guys in a box located in the bottom left of the screen, so it failed to deliver anything especially exciting.
The remaining extras appear on the included Blu-ray copy, and The Dream Is Always the Same: The Story of Risky Business lasts 29 minutes, 29 seconds as it gives us notes from Brickman, Cruise, Avnet, filmmakers Cameron Crowe and Amy Heckerling, film critic Peter Travers, producer Steve Tisch, film historian Stephen Tropiano, and actors Bronson Pinchot, Curtis Armstrong, Rebecca De Mornay, and Joe Pantoliano.
“Dream” examines the teen movie marketplace of the early Eighties and how Business fit into the era, the film’s story/themes and approach to the material, Brickman’s directorial debut, the script and attempts to find backing, casting and performances, music and visual choices, various scene specifics, the flick’s original ending, and the movie’s reception.
While not an all-encompassing program, “Dream” manages to offer a good overview of the production. I’d probably like to hear a little more from the various actors and other participants, especially since we already learn so much from Brickman, Cruise and Avnet in the commentary. Nonetheless, “Dream” relates a nice summary of various issues related to the movie, so it satisfies.
In addition to the film’s trailer, we find Screen Tests. These feature Cruise and De Mornay and they last a total of 14 minutes, 36 seconds. We see a little of these in “Dream”, but here we get a more complete view of their interactions.
The tests mostly feature Cruise and De Mornay together. We also get some comments from Heckerling, Tisch, Cruise, Brickman, Avnet, and De Mornay.
Those notes provide some good perspective, but the tests themselves remain the main attraction. The info comes in the first three and a half minutes or so, which means the tests themselves fill about 11 minutes. They’re very fun to see.
The remaining components are new to the Criterion release, and we get an Interview with Producer Jon Avnet. It lasts 20 minutes, 34 seconds.
Avnet examines the project's development, Brickman's approach to the material, story/character domains, the alternate ending, and general thoughts. He starts well but the chat gets less informative as it goes.
An Interview with Editor Richard Chew and Film Historian Bobbie O’Steen follows. This chat spans 30 minutes, 13 seconds.
During their conversation, Chew and O’Steen look at the movie's influences, editing, photography, and music. We get a good view of Chew's work here.
Finally, we locate an Interview with Casting Director Nancy Klopper. Her conversation runs 18 minutes, nine seconds.
As expected, Klopper covers how she got into her career as well as what she did for Risky Business. Klopper relates quality information about a topic not often discussed in featurettes like this.
The package also provides a booklet with a replica of the movie’s poster on one side and an essay from critic Dave Kehr on the other. It completes the set well.
For better or for worse, Risky Business made Tom Cruise a star. His performance continues to charm, as does the movie itself. It shows some weaknesses but still works. The 4K UHD delivers good picture, audio and bonus materials. This works as a positive representation of an enjoyable film.
To rate this film, visit the original review of RISKY BUSINESS