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The Outsiders: The Complete Novel 4K UHD Review

“The Outsiders: The Complete Novel” feels incomplete.

Based on the novel by S.E. Hinton, “The Outsiders” is a coming-of-age story about teenagers and gangs in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1960’s. There’s the rich kid gang The Socs and The Greasers who are from the other side of the tracks so to speak. The story primarily focuses on the teen Greaser Ponyboy who lives with his 2 older brothers after their parents died in an accident. The central event of the story concerns Ponyboy and his pal Johnny getting in a fight with the Socs which leaves one Soc member (Bob) dead. Where the story goes from there, you’ll just have to see.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and written by Kathleen Rowell, “The Outsiders” is a clunky coming-of-age/gang movie that pales in comparison to the likes of similar films ala “Rebel Without A Cause” or the highly underrated “The Wanderers.” In addition to a rushed, meandering story (coupled with strange edits) that lacks focus and eventful storytelling, the characterization feels underdeveloped. You’d think that the cast which contains Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, and Leif Garrett would feature some dynamite performances, but no one really stands out here. Howell and Macchio are a bit out of their depth, Swayze, Cruise, and Estevez have little to do, and Lane and Garrett are barely in the movie at all. Dillon and Lowe probably have the film’s best performances, but even their characters are lacking. It’s a shame because there’s a good movie somewhere in here as Coppola and Rowell explores subjects about class, toxic masculinity, heroism, redemption, family, and friends. As is, it simply feels like the movie coasts from one scene to the next to the point where you feel like vital elements are missing.

One aspect that does not disappoint is the time accurate soundtrack that features Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Van Morrison. Not only does it rock, but it fits the scenes perfectly.

Note: This set includes both the theatrical cut and the extended “The Complete Novel” version.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.40:1 2160p. How does it look? Truthfully, it looks more like a Blu-ray than a 4K. It’s a quality transfer it’s just not up to 4K level.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA for both versions. How does it sound? The track is uneven. When the soundtrack is blaring, it sounds fantastic. When there’s an intimate dialogue scene, it’s too quiet.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* A new intro to the Complete Novel by Francis Ford Coppola
* 2 commentaries- One by Francis Ford Coppola and the other with Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and Diane Lane
* New “Restoring The Outsiders” featurette.
* 8 deleted scenes
* 2005 and 2021 re-release trailers
* Cast members read passages from the novel
* “Screen Tests And Auditions: Fred Roos And The Casting Of The Outsiders”
* “On Location In Tulsa With S.E. Hinton”- The author tours shooting locations.
* “Old House New Home”- A new extra about The Outsiders House museum.
* “Staying Gold: A Look Back At The Outsiders” archival extra
* “Outsider Looking In”- A new interview with Francis Ford Coppola.

* “Stephen H. Burum On The Outsiders’- A new interview with the cinematographer.

November 13, 2021 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Coming Of Age Movie, Diane Lane, Emilio Estevez, Francis Ford Coppola, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, Teen Movie, The Outsiders: The Complete Novel 4K Review, Tom Cruise