George Clooney (Ocean’s Eleven) and Jennifer Lopez (Hustlers) ignite the screen in this criminally cool crime caper from director Steven Soderbergh (The Limey). Meet Jack Foley, the most successful bank robber in the country. On the day he busts out of jail, he finds himself stealing something far more precious than money… Karen Sisco’s heart. She’s smart. She’s sexy. And unfortunately for Jack, she’s a Federal Marshal. Now, they’re willing to risk it all to find out if there’s more between them than just the law. Screenwriter Scott Frank (Get Shorty) earned an Oscar nomination for his slick, snappy script based on the novel by Elmore Leonard (Jackie Brown). The stacked cast includes Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction), Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda), Dennis Farina (Manhunter), Albert Brooks (Lost in America), Nancy Allen (Blow Out), Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich), Isaiah Washington (True Crime), Steve Zahn (Rescue Dawn), Paul Calderon (King of New York), Luis Guzmán (Boogie Nights), Viola Davis (Fences), Wendell B. Harris Jr. (Road Trip) and uncredited cameos by Michael Keaton (Batman) and Samuel L. Jackson (The Hateful Eight).

For thoughts on Out Of Sight, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/gbos_C5B5A8?t=3359]

Video Quality

Kino Classics presents Out Of Sight with a terrific 2160p HDR Dolby Vision transfer sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative that has been approved and color graded by Cinematographer Elliot Davis. The remaster for this release is absolutely stunning and should leave fans very pleased. The level of detail and clarity is miraculous with the perfect amount of natural film grain intact. There are no signs that any grain reduction has been applied, as you get a fine sheen that resolves quite well without veering into swarmy noise. The texture revealed in the costumes and within the landscapes are a revelation. Even facial details such as dripping sweat or cuts and bruises present with impressive clarity. Any minor specks of damage seem to have been eradicated completely.

This presentation appears to be as true to the original look of the film as it can get with the added resolution making elements seem more natural. The Dolby Vision HDR really proves its worth, as it makes the warm Florida radiate with warmth while the desolate Detroit sequences are cooler and more desaturated. The command of each setting is what really makes this presentation sing. Among the most impressive moments of HDR implementation are in the film’s exterior locations with vegetation and hot summer weather which provide colors that leap off the screen with a pleasing intensity. Skin tones look natural and the color saturation throughout is virtually flawless. White levels offer a greater stability without veering into blooming. Black levels do not struggle with even the slightest hint of crush, as it maintains a strong amount of depth and detail in darker environments. This transfer is a treat for fans of the film and should stand as the best representation on home video to date.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with both a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track which both handle the material quite capably. While the track focuses pretty heavily on the front channels given the importance of dialogue, overall there is a fairly broad soundscape which captures the considered sound design of the film with perfect fidelity. The track features some pretty constant activity and really comes alive when the con is on. The score by David Holmes and other music is used perfectly to establish the mood of the story, and this track handles it flawlessly throughout the duration of the film. There is never a moment where it threatens to overwhelm competing sounds, and it maintains a good balance so that dialogue comes through clearly. The environmental sounds are rendered well alongside everything else. The low end response is not seismic in any particular way, but it does provide some appreciated texture to the proceedings. There does not seem to be any majorly noticeable instances of age-related wear and tear. Kino Classics has given this film a solid audio presentation that brings the movie to life in an exciting manner.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director Steven Soderbergh and Screenwriter Scott Frank come together to provide a terrifically entertaining and informative commentary track in which they take the audience through the production process. Throughout you get to hear how the script was shaped and how it compares to the source material, the moments that were cut for pacing, the realities of shooting on location in a real prison, the down-to-earth qualities of George Clooney, the disagreements they had with Universal, the reaction from test audiences and more. Soderbergh has a penchant for making highly technical information still very accessible.

Inside Out Of Sight: A 25-minute archival documentary featuring interviews with Soderbergh, Frank, Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Ving Rhames, novelist Elmore Leonard and other key members of the cast and crew as they discuss the film. In this piece, the subjects discuss the origins and tone of the story, the particular qualities that the cast members brought to their roles, the direction of Soderbergh, the most difficult scenes to execute, and more. You can feel that (most of) these people enjoy being with one another and have a great working relationship.

Deleted Scenes: This disc provides 22-minute of unused material including more time in the trunk, additional moments between Glenn and Maurice, a lengthy scene between Karen and Adele, and more. There are some good moments here worth exploring.

Trailers: The disc provides Trailer #1 (0:38) and Trailer #2 (2:35) for Out Of Sight. There is also a trailer provided for The Underneath.

Final Thoughts

Out Of Sight remains one of the best films from the prolific genius Steven Soderbergh. His eye for composition and breathless pacing mixes so well with the Elmore Leonard source material in a way that keeps you glued to the screen. Add in a charismatic performance from an in-his-prime George Clooney and all-timer performance from Jennifer Lopez, not to mention an ensemble that cannot be beat, and you have the receipt for pure cinematic crime bliss. Kino Classics has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a fantastic A/V presentation and all of the legacy special features. If you are a fan of the film, this new release is a no-brainer. Highly Recommended

Out Of Sight will be available to purchase on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray on June 28, 2022.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.