Mel Gibson had an amazing run from the late eighties through the nineties and into the early 2000s. Between Lethal Weapon (1987) and Signs (2002), there were few bigger movie stars on the planet. Yet one of his films from that era, Tequila Sunrise, is often overlooked despite pairing him with Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer. Now, it’s getting a 4K Blu-ray release from our friends at Arrow Video.
In Tequila Sunrise, Gibson plays Mac, a former drug dealer trying to go straight who finds himself pulled back into the business while simultaneously coming under investigation by the DEA. At the same time, he’s vying with his best friend, Nick (Kurt Russell), a narcotics detective who also happens to be working with the DEA, for the affections of Jo Ann (Michelle Pfeiffer), a drop-dead gorgeous restaurateur.
While a respectable box office hit, grossing $41 million in 1988, Tequila Sunrise wasn’t a Lethal Weapon-sized blockbuster despite its star-studded cast. Perhaps the reason is that, despite its thriller trappings, it doesn’t offer much in the way of action. As a kid when it came out, I thought it was deadly dull. Over time, however, it’s become a movie I enjoy revisiting, even if it has a terrible score by Dave Grusin (arguably the worst of his career) that sounds like it belongs in a forgettable eighties TV movie.
Part of the appeal is the sheer star power. Gibson is at the absolute peak of his movie-star phase, even outshining the always-great Russell, who gets relegated to the “Baxter” role—the dependable guy the heroine should end up with but never will. Gibson and Michelle Pfeiffer have terrific chemistry, while Raúl Juliá has a juicy part as one of the most bizarrely likeable villains you’ll ever see. It also features an over-the-top love ballad by Ann Wilson (of Heart) and Robin Zander (of Cheap Trick) that’s gloriously eighties.
As usual, the Arrow Video set is killer. Here are the specs:
4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- Brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative by Arrow Films
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Original and newly restored lossless stereo and 4.0 audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary by producer Thom Mount
- California Dreaming – a brand new interview with producer Thom Mount
- From Chinatown to Manhattan Beach – a brand new appreciation of Robert Towne by Lucy Bolton
- Sunrise to Sunset – a brand new interview with 2nd AD Robert Roda
- Sin City – a brand new interview with actor Lala Sloatman
- Image gallery
- Theatrical trailer
- Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Sean Hogan and Josh Nelson, plus excerpts from American Cinematographer
- Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
Pre-order Tequila Sunrise HERE!
Are you looking forward to revisiting this one? Let us know in the comments!
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