Flatliners (1990) {Arrow Video Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

Many may only remember director Joel Schumacher for the less than spectacular superhero comic book movie Batman and Robin. That is a shame as he brought us many great films throughout his career. There is 1985's St. Elmo's Fire, 1987's The Lost Boys, 1993's Falling Down and the better of the two Batman films 1995's Batman Forever.

In 1990 Joel Schumacher he directed the psychological horror film Flatliners. Now 32 years after it's initial theatrical release this cult horror classics is getting a 4K and Blu-ray release, thanks to the great folks at Arrow Video.

The film follows Chicago medical student Nelson (Kiefer Sutherland), who is looking for answers to the questions of the afterlife. In his quest for answers he persuades his fellow students to help him die and then resuscitate him in the nick of time. As the experiments become more perilous, each is forced to contend with the paranormal consequences of trespassing on the other side.

To say this film has an all-star cast, would be an understatement. This film boast of Hollywood legends Kiefer Sutherland (24, Renegades), Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich, Duplicity), Kevin Bacon (Tremors, Wild Things), Oliver Platt (The Three Musketeers, Beethoven) and William Baldwin (Backdraft). Talk about a cast.

Now Flatliners is a very unique sci-fi horror film that explores the world of mystery of what happens after we die. This film is rated R so you know going in this is for mature audiences only. There is a lot of adult language and situations. So just beware going in.

The film is presented in High Definition 1080p with 2 versions of soundtracks, the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 surround soundtrack. There is also an option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. Brand new 4K restoration from the original negative, approved by director of photography Jan de Bont.



Now I have seen this film on DVD and Blu-ray before but this new 4K restoration truly brings new life to this film. The details are simply amazing! Film fans will feel like it is experiencing this film for the first time. But Arrow Video never is content with a bare bones release. Thus they load of their releases with all kinds of bonus features. Take a look at what is included on this Blu-ray.

* Brand new audio commentary by critics Bryan Reesman and Max Evry

* The Conquest of our Generation, a brand new video interview with screenwriter Peter Filardi

* Visions of Light, a brand new video interview with director of photography Jan de Bont and chief lighting technician Edward Ayer

* Hereafter, a brand new video interview with first assistant director John Kretchmer

* Restoration, a brand new video interview with production designer Eugenio Zanetti and art director Larry Lundy

* Atonement, a brand new video interview with composer James Newton Howard and orchestrator Chris Boardman

* Dressing for Character, a brand new interview with costume designer Susan Becker

* Theatrical trailer

* Image gallery

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin

* FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Amanda Reyes and Peter Tonguette


Watch The Trailer Below:


Arrow Video never ceases to impress with the love they put into their releases. The amount of new interviews and features added to this Blu-ray is truly going to keep Flatliner fans entertained for hours.

Arrow Video has made this new 4K scan available on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. So if perchance you haven't made the jump to Ultra HD yet you can still enjoy the new restoration in HD. You can order this new Blu-ray today on Amazon.

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of Flatliners receives...