St. Elmo's Fire (1985) - 4K Ultra HD Evaluation

      St. Elmo’s Fire, 1985.

      Directed by Joel Schumacher.

      Featuring Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Mare Winningham, Andrew McCarthy, Martin Balsam, and Andie MacDowell.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Are you a fan of St. Elmo’s Fire? I can’t claim to be, but for those who are, its debut in 4K Ultra HD is definitely worth considering. The visual and audio quality are impressive, and although the studio did not create any new bonus content for its 40th anniversary, the extras that are included provide a comprehensive perspective on the film.

      I admit that I had never watched St. Elmo's Fire until now. I was 15 at the time of its release, which made me a bit young for a coming-of-age film that focuses on twenty-somethings navigating life, but it never captivated my interest over the last 40 years.

      Part of that might stem from a dislike for the so-called “yuppie” culture of the 1980s. While not all the characters in the film can be classified as yuppies, those who don’t seem equally flat, as if director and co-writer Joel Schumacher simply picked the first characteristic that came to mind for each one. (“This character is a tortured writer and that one is a rebellious rogue with a golden heart!”)

      The ensemble includes: Emilio Estevez as Kirby Keager, an insecure law student and waiter at St. Elmo’s Bar, where the group frequently gathers; Rob Lowe as Billy Hicks, who struggles with the responsibilities of being a husband and father; Andrew McCarthy as Kevin Dolenz, an ambitious news reporter who aspires to write The Great American Novel; Demi Moore as Jules Van Patten, a party girl who becomes overwhelmed by her extravagant lifestyle; Judd Nelson as Alec Newberry, a classic yuppie involved in politics who is tempted by a shift from Democrat to Republican; Ally Sheedy as Leslie Hunter, Alec’s girlfriend uncertain about marrying him; and Mare Winningham as Wendy Beamish, an intellectual social worker from a wealthy background.

      Andie MacDowell has a significant role as Dale Biberman, a hospital intern who was acquainted with Kirby in college and becomes the focus of his, let’s say, obsessive interest. They encounter one another at the film's start, as the group grapples with the aftermath of Billy’s drunk driving incident with Wendy in the vehicle. Additionally, Billy is a talented saxophone player, which adds to his character.

      The narrative follows the group as they argue, break up, and face various crises. Much of the drama feels forced, and I didn't find any of the characters especially appealing; the soundtrack is also forgettable. I doubt I will ever choose to watch this film again.

      Nonetheless, for enthusiasts, this 4K Ultra HD release is definitely worth acquiring. It has excellent visual and audio quality, making it possibly the best home video version available unless Sony chooses to add new features for a future 45th or 50th anniversary edition.

      Regarding extras, it appears that all the content here has been carried over from previous versions. The bonus features begin with a commentary track featuring Schumacher, who engages in an informative and lively discussion about the movie. He also appears once more in a brief featurette discussing the film.

      Additionally, there are a dozen deleted scenes (none of which made me think they should be reinstated), an old-school making-of featurette that serves more as promotion than anything else, a music video, and the theatrical trailer.

      It’s notable that none of the cast participated in the newer extras. It makes me curious whether Sony opted not to spend the funds to bring them in or if they would prefer to distance themselves from the film. They certainly seemed enthusiastic about it in that older featurette, and given that it was a modest box office success, perhaps this decision was simply a matter of budget constraints.

      A code for a digital copy is also included.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook