Reservoir Dogs [15th Anniversary Edition]

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I remember the euphoria I had felt when "Reservoir Dogs" and its Tarantino created stablemates were released in a wondrous trifecta on standard definition DVD. I was in pure heaven. All three films had been released to coincide with the ten year anniversary of "Reservoir Dogs" and each was presented in great two disc special editions that were jam packed with bonus materials. Five years later, new technology has been thrust into the marketplace and "Reservoir Dogs" leads the charge as the first Tarantino film to be released. An attractive gas can shaped casing has signaled the release of the fifteen year version of the film on Standard Definition DVD and it has now been released on the high definition Blu-ray. Though I was not as giddy and excited as I was when the ten year version hit the shelves, I greatly anticipated Quentin Tarantino in high definition. I love this film and I love the ten year addition. I held off on purchasing the standard definition release to await this Blu-ray addition. Did I make the correct choice and hold off for the pricier Blu-ray release? Yes. And no.

"Reservoir Dogs" was the talk of the 1992 Sundance Film Festival. It was expected to clean house with the awards and was easily the star attraction of the festival. However, Sundance would snub Quentin, and he would not take home a single honor. Afterwards, the film did exceptionally well around the globe and with critics, but the failure to secure an award at Sundance and the inability for LIVE Entertainment to release a large number of domestic prints saw the film gross around $3 million. Its worldwide take was nearly $20 million, but it wouldn´t be until the film hit video shelves that it would become the success that it is today. If not for its success on the video market, I would not have reviewed the tenth anniversary edition and surely would not be here for another dip into consumer´s pockets with the incremental fifteenth anniversary release.

This was Quentin Tarantino´s first foray into feature filmmaking. It is surprising that Tarantino was able to secure the talent he did for this low-budget picture and have Michael Madsen and Harvey Keitel along for the ride. What is most surprising is how mature and well-crafted the film is. "Reservoir Dogs" does not play like the first time effort of an up and coming filmmaker. It is not a freshman outing, nor does it feel like a sophomore film. "Reservoir Dogs" is a picture that feels as if its director has been in stride for some time. Tarantino´s ability to conjure up stellar acting and feature some of the absolute best dialogue found in cinema is all prevalent here, and I am always amazed that he was able to create the story, capture the performances, and deliver in the manner he did. Given the difficult subject matter, it is even more surprising.

The premise of "Reservoir Dogs" is that this is a heist film, and the heist goes miserably wrong. Six low-life characters are brought together to help perform the perfect heist. Everything is practiced, and it all seems perfect. But, everything goes miserably wrong. Members of the group are killed, it becomes apparent that one of the group was indeed a police officer, and the entire thing was a set up to bring down the mastermind behind the entire plot. This story sounds normal and basic enough, but Tarantino chooses to never show the heist. You never see what happens and what went wrong, but the aftermath and reasons behind the failure are offered in flashback and dialogue as only Tarantino is capable of.

From early on, you know that Mr. Orange (Tim Roth) is the police officer that has infiltrated the gang, and he is the man who must bring Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney) to justice. He befriends Mr. White (Harvey Keitel), and during the escape from the failed heist, Orange is shot and White protects him and does his best to keep him alive. The cop and the robber form a friendship that will be tested before the credits roll. Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) is the person responsible for causing the havoc that led to the problems with the plan. Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) is the realist who sees what is happening but looses his cool and comes to wits against White. Mr. Blue (Edward Bunker) and Mr. Brown (Quentin Tarantino) have minor roles in the film. Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Penn) is Joe Cabot´s son and very much involved in the robbery attempt.

The fates and roles of many of these men are very well known from early on. Tarantino allows a lot to be known of these men, but the manner in which he has crafted his film keeps this film entertaining. Granted, we know that Orange is the cop. What we don´t know is what is going to come of his friendship with White and whether or not he will survive the gunshot that has him lying in a pool of his own blood for much of the film. We know that the heist goes bad from early on, but the flashbacks that show the planning stages are still full of information and important to the film. Everything is held together by Tarantino´s masterful use of dialogue and his ability to tell a story without going right from point A to point B. Then again, he doesn´t start at point A, but we always know where A and B are.

This is a bloody film, and in typical Tarantino fashion, it is filled with clever pop references and lots of profanity. The opening scene where the men are discussing the true meaning of Madonna´s "Like A Virgin" is perhaps more famous than the film itself. The credit sequence where the men walk as "Little Green Bag" plays had been parodied and copied more times than "Louie Louie" has been covered. Recently, "Greg The Bunny" carbon-copied that scene down to the music. As with "Pulp Fiction," "Reservoir Dogs" has been a very influential film. It is certainly not a film for the deeply religious. It is a gripping tale that features acting at its best and some of the best dialogue your ears will ever witness.

Video:
"Reservoir Dogs: 15th Anniversary Edition" is the first release of the title onto a high definition format, but follows a number of releases on standard edition DVD. As the home video disc market as matured, so has "Reservoir Dogs." The first release featured a non-anamorphic transfer. The second release found paydirt with a very nice 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer. Now, following a short bit behind the third incarnation on standard definition is the first Blu-ray release and once again, "Reservoir Dogs" finds itself benefitting from newer mastering techniques and newer technology. The high definition transfer is a definite improvement over the previous standard definition releases. Tarantino created a visually impressive film, even considering the low budget nature of the picture. Tarantino creates films for widescreen and with the high definition era upon us, the pan and scan editions of old are now gone and with high definition, "Reservoir Dogs" is allowed to showcase its gritty beauty.

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