Crash (1996) (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers / Criterion Collection
Release Date: December 1, 2020
Rating: NC-17
Film: 2/5

Plot
For this icily erotic fusion of flesh and machine, David Cronenberg adapted J. G. Ballard's future-shock novel of the 1970s into one of the most singular and provocative films of the 1990s. A traffic collision involving a disaffected commercial producer, James (James Spader), and an enigmatic doctor, Helen (Holly Hunter), brings them, along with James's wife, Catherine (Deborah Kara Unger, in a sublimely detached performance), together in a crucible of blood and broken glass and it's not long before they are all initiated into a kinky, death-obsessed underworld of sadomasochistic car-crash fetishists for whom twisted metal and scar tissue are the ultimate turn-ons.

My Thoughts
Have you ever requested a movie for review and when it shows up think, "WTF is this?" Well, that was me when Crash arrived. I thought I was requesting Oscar winning 2004 film Crash, but to my surprise (and dismay), a NC-17 title from 1996 was in the box and Mrs. Movie Reviewer looked at me with her "you're in deep shit" look. Not only is the film NC-17, it's a damn S&M film to boot!

Needless to say, she wasn't interested in watching the film and frankly, neither was I. Let's just say I took one for the team and frankly, I didn't care for it very much. For one, it'9s insanely bizarre. The people in the film literally get aroused by watching and participating in car accidents. To say it is tedious and well, stupid, would be too much of a compliment. Frankly, when they say that Hollywood is out of touch with most of America, this could be the classic example used to prove the point.

The film is sourced from a freshly minted 4K scan and it shows. Shadows are extremely well delineated and there's plenty of depth in the image. Shockingly, the DTS soundtrack kicks some serious ass. Dynamics are reference-quality and the various crashes exhibit excellent imaging.

Video 4.5/5

Audio 5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

Special Features:

• Trailers
• Press Kit Footage
• Cannes Press Conference
• Ballard and Cronenberg
• Commentary
• Leaflet

Conclusion
Call me a Puritan, but this is not a movie that I'd normally watch. It's more for the weird and artsy crowd and it certainly was very different than what I thought I was requesting. I found nothing redeeming about it and felt the need to shower once it was over. As usual, Criterion does an excellent job with the presentation and if you're a fan of the film it has probably never looked or sounded better.



Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88%u201D 16x9 Fixed Screen
Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed ChannelsATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-980M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 SubwooferJL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner


 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[AVSCraig]

I hated the other Crash. Send me this disc - it's right up my automotive alley ! 

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Sorry Dave..! 


Regards,

[AVSCraig]

Wow - just watched this ( thanks David ). I might need to sleep on this before sharing my thoughts. 

[Harro]

I was curious about the film. With a cast that drew my attention from other movies or tv shows, James Spader, Holly Hunter, Rosanne Arquette, Elias Koteas, I believed this would be a great film.

There are many things in life worth living, seeing and this movie should not be on your top list. We all like to be aroused, but this truly can't be a thing of sex because of a car accident. Some scenes I just couldn't watch, since I had been in a serious car accident. Didn't need those memories brought back.
My review: Stupid ...LOL

[David Vaughn]

I was curious about the film. With a cast that drew my attention from other movies or tv shows, James Spader, Holly Hunter, Rosanne Arquette, Elias Koteas, I believed this would be a great film.

There are many things in life worth living, seeing and this movie should not be on your top list. We all like to be aroused, but this truly can't be a thing of sex because of a car accident. Some scenes I just couldn't watch, since I had been in a serious car accident. Didn't need those memories brought back.
My review: Stupid ...LOL

Pretty much sums it up.

[tripplej]

Why would criterion collection make this copy? I thought they (criterion collection) took classics that were very critically acclaimed and helped restore them..

[AVSCraig]

I'm going to have to disagree, but this film certainly seems to arouse love it or hate it passions ( I couldn't resist the pun ). I found it a hard core, erotic, twisted psychological tale of people obsessed with sex and danger. We all know danger is a turn on for some people. This group of freaks just uses cars. Great cast. Certainly goes into my " mental illness awareness month " film section. Not for the squeamish - right up there with " Oldboy " . 

[AVSCraig]

Why would criterion collection make this copy? I thought they (criterion collection) took classics that were very critically acclaimed and helped restore them..

It's classic Cronenberg - " Despite the surprisingly distant, clinical direction, Crash's explicit premise and sex is classic Cronenberg territory. "


It's a Fresh Tomato too.  Crash (1996) - Rotten Tomatoes

I'll need to watch it 2 or 3 more times. 

[AVSCraig]

Everybody has different opinions on films. I do think Cronenberg's Eastern Promises is my favorite film he's done, followed by A History Of Violence and The Fly. 

[AVSCraig]

Roger Ebert pretty much nails it - 

" "Crash'' is about characters entranced by a sexual fetish that, in fact, no one has. Cronenberg has made a movie that is pornographic in form, but not in result. Take out the cars, the scars, the crutches and scabs and wounds, and substitute the usual props of sex films, and you'd have a porno movie. But "Crash'' is anything but pornographic: It's about the human mind, about the way we grow enslaved by the particular things that turn us on, and forgive ourselves our trespasses.

When a college president makes dirty phone calls, when a movie star or a TV preacher picks up a hooker in a red light district, we ask: What in the world were they thinking of? The answer is, they are thinking (a) I want to do this, and (b) I can get away with it. "Crash" is a movie that understands that thinking. One of the characters speaks of "a benevolent psychopathology that beckons toward us.'' It is a strange and insightful film about human sexual compulsion ("Belle de Jour," "Peeping Tom," and "Damage," are others). By deliberately removing anything that an audience member is likely to find even remotely erotic, Cronenberg has brought a kind of icy, abstract purity to his subject. " 


Crash movie review & film summary (1997) | Roger Ebert

[David Vaughn]

Roger Ebert pretty much nails it -

" "Crash'' is about characters entranced by a sexual fetish that, in fact, no one has. Cronenberg has made a movie that is pornographic in form, but not in result. Take out the cars, the scars, the crutches and scabs and wounds, and substitute the usual props of sex films, and you'd have a porno movie. But "Crash'' is anything but pornographic: It's about the human mind, about the way we grow enslaved by the particular things that turn us on, and forgive ourselves our trespasses.

When a college president makes dirty phone calls, when a movie star or a TV preacher picks up a hooker in a red light district, we ask: What in the world were they thinking of? The answer is, they are thinking (a) I want to do this, and (b) I can get away with it. "Crash" is a movie that understands that thinking. One of the characters speaks of "a benevolent psychopathology that beckons toward us.'' It is a strange and insightful film about human sexual compulsion ("Belle de Jour," "Peeping Tom," and "Damage," are others). By deliberately removing anything that an audience member is likely to find even remotely erotic, Cronenberg has brought a kind of icy, abstract purity to his subject. "


Crash movie review & film summary (1997) | Roger Ebert

Ebert was a perv. 

[AVSCraig]

Ebert was a perv.

Crash is on this list - 30 Sexiest Erotic Thrillers of All Time - Best Erotic Thriller Movies (esquire.com)

I've got quite a few of these, including Eyes Wide Shut ( waiting for a 4K remaster ), Mulholland Drive ( David Lynch - also a mental illness awareness month selection ), Gone Girl ( great film ). Cat People ( also like this one ), Body Heat and Sea of Love. 

[David Vaughn]

Crash is on this list - 30 Sexiest Erotic Thrillers of All Time - Best Erotic Thriller Movies (esquire.com)

I've got quite a few of these, including Eyes Wide Shut ( waiting for a 4K remaster ), Mulholland Drive ( David Lynch - also a mental illness awareness month selection ), Gone Girl ( great film ). Cat People ( also like this one ), Body Heat and Sea of Love.

I've seen a few of those but this one was just too damn bizarre for me. It's official though, Craig's a freak