The Final Countdown (1980) {Blue Underground Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

Kirk Douglas was a film legend. Starring in so many iconic films in history. Well, in 1980 his production company gathered together an impressive cast and a very ambitious script and made what has over the years become a cult classic. That film is The Final Countdown.

The final Countdown has received many home video releases. But all of them have been lackluster to just OK. Blue Underground was not happy with that.... not for this cult classic. So they are giving this film a deluxe 4K Blu-ray release.

The film follows that crew of a Pacific aircraft carrier that throw a freak event enters into a time warp and are transported from 1980 to 1941 - just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Captain Matthew Yelland (Douglas) is forced to decide whether to strike the approaching Japanese fleet and change the entire course of the World War II or leave history as it is.

This film is undeniably a B-movie, but the script has a very Twilight Zone feel to it. The script is simplistic, but entertaining. It is complete with those cheesy 80s effects film fans love. Kirk Douglas is amazing as always and Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino, Ron O’Neal, Charles Durning are great. Everyone plays their roles to the hilt, making this very believable.

Blue Underground has scanned this classic in 4K 16 bit from the original camera negative. It is presented in 2160p with a 2.37 widescreen aspect ratio. The Audio is a Dolby Atmos 5.1 DTS-HD. This transfer is something special. The picture looks as crisp as a new 100 dollar bill. The colors are vibrant and the audio is clear. This transfer is beyond a shadow of a doubt the best looking one ever.

Now a great looking release of this films would be enough to make this a must purchase for most film fans. But Blue Underground went above and beyond and added some absolutly amazing bonuses in this 3 disc set. Take a look at the special feature.

WORLD PREMIERE! New 4K Restoration from the original 35mm camera negative
Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) and HD Blu-ray (1080p) Widescreen 2.40:1 Feature Presentation
Audio: English: Dolby Atmos; English: 5.1 DTS-HD; English: 2.0 DTS-HD; French: 2.0 DTS-HD
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Audio Commentary with Director of Photography Victor J. Kemper
Lloyd Kaufman Goes Hollywood - Interview with Associate Producer Lloyd Kaufman
Starring The Jolly Rogers - Interviews with The Jolly Rogers F-14 Fighter Squadron
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
Poster & Still Galleries
BONUS! THE FINAL COUNTDOWN Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by John Scott
BONUS! Collectible Booklet featuring The Zero Pilot Journal
BONUS! Moving Lenticular Slipcover (First Pressing Only)
Compatible with D-BOX home theater systems
REGION FREE

Just wow. As you can see there is so much amazing bonus features. The commentary is filled with some great information. The interviews are very insightful. I love bonus original motion picture soundtrack CD added in this set. And The lenticular slipcover is a collector's dream come true.

Some may despairingly call this film "just" a long episode of The Twilight Zone. As a huge fan of The 'original' Twilight Zone, I would say with gusto; This is a long episode of The Twilight Zone.

If you love 80s sci-fi films, The Final Countdown is going to be right up your alley. Blue Underground's 4K Blu-ray release is the way to own it. Classic Cinema Plus highly recommends this release. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today.