American Psycho: Uncut Version (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

Is it wrong to admit that when I sat down to write my very first screenplay American Psycho was a huge influence?  It’s true.  To this day I’m so mystified by the character of Patrick Bateman.  I find his motives, thoughts and crazy action undeniably intriguing.   The one universal truth remains that you’ll never think of Huey Lewis’ song “Hip To Be Square” any other way after watching this zany, psychological horror film.  The movie like its choice in sound cuts turned out to be quite the controversial satire.  Many people watch this and they dismiss everything they saw and never have any desire to return.  However, there are enough folks like me who find the good in black comedies like these and that’s why whether its uncut version or R-rated one American Psycho is very much a bonafide living, breathing cult classic thriller.  Let’s talk more about this September 25th 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release by Lionsgate down below.

Film 

American Psycho was released back in 2000 and by all means an acquired taste.  You’re either going to appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is or you’re going to outright hate it for its rude depictions, mannerisms and ultimately actions.  It was co-written and directed by Mary Harron, based on Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel of the same name.  Like it or not reflecting back on this black comedy thriller one cannot refute the overwhelming star power it contains.   The film stars Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Chloë Sevigny, Samantha Mathis, Cara Seymour, Justin Theroux and Reese Witherspoon.  It may not have seemed like it back then, but there’s no denying those are truly some big names in nowadays standards.  That’s called a big budget in today’s modern day filming world.

Depending upon who you believe the history of American Psycho was a rough one with many director names attached and the role of Patrick Bateman originally belonging to Leonardo DiCaprio.  DiCaprio ended up leaving the project to work on The Beach and Christian Bale was brought back in.  I honestly could not envision DiCaprio the way Bale owned the role of Bateman and what he brought to not only the psychosis of the character, but its physicality too.  The film was ultimately a financial success and received mostly positive reviews.  Hell, it’s a cult classic today!  Bale’s performance was obviously one of those highlights.  However, criticism dwelled on American Psycho‘s disturbing and violent imagery.  That’s ultimately what made the film a gem to me when I originally saw it back in the day.  Ha!

So what’s it all about?  Well, I’m glad you asked.  I’ll try to sum it up this dark character study the best I can in as few as words as possible.  Patrick Bateman, a young, well-to-do man is seemingly the model of a perfect life on the outside with a fiancee (Witherspoon) to boot.  He’s successful and working on Wall Street at his father’s company, but there’s one big problem.  He kills for no reason at all.   That’s it.  There’s no real rhyme or reason for his behaviors nor how he decides who lives and dies (not even dogs are safe).  He’s a psychopath.  As his life progresses, his hatred for the world becomes more and more intense and as you can imagine his mind slips further and further into oblivion.  It’s the first person point of view journey that we take with this character that makes the violent ride so satisfying.  I mean where else are you going to be able to judge a man by the measuring of each other’s business cards?  Ha ha!  There’s also no denying that the spectacular 80’s soundtrack is quite the crowd pleaser too.

Video 

The below video score and related critique of things here are based solely upon my viewing of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation of Lionsgate’s American Psycho.  This is a big deal because there are so many problems with the original Blu-ray release of this film.  For its age it’s great to see it looking good here.  I know I’m only scoring it a four overall here, but believe me that’s still real good.  I just don’t want people to confuse my praise with the likes of a clean, crisp modern day release, etc.  I’m sorry to say, but it’s the same old repackaged 1080p Blu-ray in this set.

• Encoding: HEVC / H.265
• Resolution: 4K (2160p)
• Dolby Vision: Yes
• HDR: Yes
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Clarity/Detail: The overall appearance of this presentation is that of a cinematic one.  It’s not an overblown or tightly woven digital print.  It’s quite warm and natural, albeit sometimes soft in a beautiful way.  In other words it’s a welcome relief to this reviewer’s eyes as I personally have never seen it look so good.  On the skin everything is clearly visible including moles, muscles and even pubes.  Textures and details are also very noticeable such as fabrics and patterns in clothing or brushstrokes seen in painted wood surfaces.  The twin towers are astutely and cleanly on display here too.  I wonder if it’s a coincidence this film is being released in 4K so close to the 9/11 date?
• Depth: Because of the outstanding clarity and the three-dimensional pop of the characters and objects in the foreground, the depth of field here is also quite remarkable and instantly noticeable in Patrick Bateman’s apartment, the long hallways within, the city streets and the many clubs and restaurants the guys visit.  However, one of the most striking depth of field moments has to be where the guys are measuring business cards and even the bone white card with Cillian Brail print jumps off the screen.  Love it!
• Black Levels: The black levels are deep and inky throughout, and there are lots of the sequences here are in the dark so it’s great that things look so spectacular here.  Nothing really ever gets lost in the shadows here.  There’s even bright explosions to contrast the deep, inky nighttime blacks towards the film’s ending.  Other sequences like within night clubs look exceptionally well here too.
• Color Reproduction: I know there’s a lot of darkness here, but the film print here is warm, natural and beautiful looking throughout.  It’s sometimes washed, but not to the point where it’s ever exaggerated.   I love how the reds pop in objects like raspberries, dresses and even crimson blood.
• Flesh Tones: The skin tones all look natural and authentic throughout this presentation.
• Noise/Artifacts: Things look outstanding here with no nasty artifacts noticed in the original Blu-ray presentation to ruin your viewing enjoyment of the presentation here.  There was only one quick establishing shot of the cityscape that was overly grainy and filled with source noise to take note of here, but again it’s over and done with quickly.

Audio 

Like I mentioned up above in the video section, the below audio score and critical comments of such are based solely upon my viewing of Lionsgate’s 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation of American Psycho.  I do want tp point out that the  4K UHD Disc comes armed with a brand spanking new Dolby Atmos surround track while the 1080p Blu-ray houses the original DTS-HD High Resolution one.

• Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos
• Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
• Dynamics: There is a cool, calmness about American Psycho that stirs not only in this surround presentation, but within Patrick Bateman himself.  There’s also a war inside and that’s usually suppressed here by a bright, poppy and fulfilling soundtrack in Bateman’s ears.  It’s the latter how I love that the music fills the entire soundstage, but at the same time retains a sense of both priority and direction.
• Height: This is a new addition to this surround presentation for this particular title.  The Atmos height channels are mostly noticed during the moments when Patrick puts on his headphones and the soundtrack we are listening to is in our head.  The beginning also uses a cool gimmick how the animated blood drops trickle down the screen.  Other uses include the music pumping in the clubs scenes, inside voices, a helicopter and even a chainsaw being hurled impressively down a stairwell.
• Low Frequency Extension: Remember that quiet calm I just mentioned up above?  Well things do go bump in the night here in both the score and the “Hip To Be Square” soundtrack, but also the chainsaw, gunshots and even explosions near the film’s end when Bateman’s brain is seemingly melting.
• Surround Sound Presentation: The lowlight of this surround track since it’s very top heavy is its rear channels.  I mean they are engaged and directional from the score and soundtrack bleeding through and the hustle and bustle of crowds and people and whatnot.  However, the front is so heavy it outweighs everything else, but it does so with such immersion that you’re practically in the middle of it all with the height channels carrying the load.  Probably one of the most impressive sequences involves a helicopter causing through the NYC skyline on a manhunt or so our main character thinks.
• Dialogue Reproduction: The dialogue levels are always loud and clear throughout the presentation, which is sure to make fans of this cult classic very happy.

Extras 

This is where things get interesting with this American Psycho 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set release.  Not only are all the special features housed on the 4K UHD disc, but there’s also three audio commentaries where two feature writer/director Mary Harron.  One is new for this release and one is old.  Odd, huh?  It’s very much welcomed though and great for fans of the film.  There’s also some deleted scenes, a couple special features, the previously released 1080p Blu-ray version of the film and a Digital Copy of it too.  Let’s take a brief closer look down below at everything you’ll find here.

• Audio Commentaries – There are a total of three here: a NEW Audio Commentary with writer/director Mary Harron, a previously recorded and released one with writer/director Mary Harron and one with writer Guinevere Turner.
• Deleted Scenes (SDR, 12:19) – There are a total of five deleted scenes here with optional director audio commentary by Mary Harron.
• The ’80s: Downtown (SDR, 31:46) – Love this!  It’s a bunch of thoughts on this decade that form the backdrop of American Psycho here.
• American Psycho: From Book to Screen (SDR, 48:53) – A whole slew of producers, writers, the director and even a singer discuss the origin of the book, its scandals/satire and adapting it to the screen.

Summary 

What are you waiting for?  The press release of this title said it best so I am going to lift from that to conclude here as I seemingly have no more original thoughts on the matter.  Sit back, relax, and turn on some Phil Collins, because American Psycho: Uncut Version arrives on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital) September 25th from Lionsgate.  This groundbreaking thriller based on the acclaimed book by Bret Easton Ellis stars Academy Award winners Christian Bale (Best Supporting Actor, The Fighter, 2010), Jared Leto (Best Supporting Actor, Dallas Buyers Club, 2013), and Reese Witherspoon (Best Actress, Walk the Line, 2005), alongside Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe (Best Supporting Actor, The Florida Project, 2017) as well as Justin Theroux and Josh Lucas.   I told ya there were stars in this one!  Did I not?  Also, the Dolby Vision  release also features Dolby Atmos audio, which puts you in the action with bigger, more encompassing sound that fills your room – even overhead – to immerse you in your entertainment.  Furthermore, the American Psycho: Uncut Version 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack is loaded with special features, including an all-new commentary by writer/director Mary Harron.  So I ask you again.  Fans of the film what are you waiting for?  Hit up that pre-order link down below.  American Psycho has never looked and sounded so good before.

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DISCLAIMER: This 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray review was judged and graded using the following 4K certified Ultra HD Premium television set found here and player here.  Make sure to check out all our 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray reviews archived here.

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American Psycho

Gets Uncut And Crazier On

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

September 25th

PRE-ORDER NOW!

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