Bound Blu-ray

Bound

 (1996)

Bound Blu-ray delivers great video and audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Violet is the sexy mistress of Ceasar, a money launderer for the Mob. The comfortable Family lifestyle has become drudgery--until Violet meets Corky. Corky, a convicted thief out on parole, is hired as the maintenance person in the exclusive apartment complex where Violet and Ceasar reside. After forming a strong friendship with Corky, Violet wants out of the Mob lifestyle and sees Corky's theft expertise as her ticket to a fresh start. If Corky is willing to steal the two million dollars in cash stashed in the apartment that Ceasar must deliver to Marzzone the next day, together the women can escape the Mafia. However, when Ceasar discovers the money missing, he reacts differently than they anticipated... to say the least. Bound together against the wrath of Ceasar, Violet and Corky must rely on their instincts to survive.

For more about Bound and the Bound Blu-ray release, see the Bound Blu-ray Review

Starring: Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly, Joe Pantoliano, Christopher Meloni
Directors: Larry Wachowski, Andy Wachowski

Bound Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov, June 23, 2009

The Wachowskis' sexy directorial debut "Bound" (1996) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors M6. The disc contains the uncut version of the film as well as the terrific commentary the two directors recorded many years ago. It is Region-Free and without imposed French subtitles.

We met earlier

A good friend of mine, who writes for a popular French magazine, once told me: "Bound is so sexy, if it was filmed fifty years ago, it would have become an instant noir classic." Having just revisited the Wachowski's film on Blu-ray, I have to agree. Bound has not lost its sex appeal one bit.

The story of Bound is simple. Corky (Gina Gershon, Picture Claire) is a beautiful female ex con who makes ends meet working as a plumber. She is sent to an apartment building in downtown Chicago to do a job. In the lobby of the building, Corky meets Caesar (Joe Pantoliano, Bad Boys II), a local mobster, and his girlfriend Violet (Jennifer Tilly, Bride of Chucky). While riding the elevator together, Violet looks at Corky in a way most men look at women. The three get off on the same floor. The apartment Corky is sent to work on is right next to Caesar and Violet's place.

Soon, Violet comes knocking on Corky's door. She tells her that she dropped her ring in the sink. Caesar has stepped out so she needs help. Corky already knows why Violet is here but decides to play her game. She goes to her place and helps Violet get her ring. Then she gets her.

Caesar comes back. He has absolutely no idea what the two women have been doing. He invites Corky to have a drink and pays her for the "help". At first, Corky protests but then she gets the money. She finishes her drink and goes back to work.

Later on, Violet visits Corky again. The two make love. Violet admits to Corky that she is sick of living with Caesar and ready to start a new life. She also tells Corky that someone (Barry Kivel, Body and Soul) is about to bring Caesar a case with 2 million dollars, which he has to give to Gino Marzzone (Richard C. Sarafian, Bugsy), a big mafia boss. Violet wants to know if Corky would be interested in stealing the money and running away with her. Corky agrees and things get complicated.

Bound was the Wachowski's debut as film directors. It was released a year after they contributed to Richard Donner's Assassins, a high-octane action thriller starring Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas and Julianne Moore. Bound received good reviews in North America but it disappeared into oblivion due to a surprisingly poor support from the film's US distributors. Eventually, after it was released on DVD, it became something of a cult classic.

In Bound, the sex is explicit but delicious. That famous sex scene, courtesy of Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly (fully intact on this French Blu-ray disc), remains amongst the best I have seen in contemporary American cinema. The lines the two women utter before they start making love are fantastic.

There is plenty of violence in this film as well, and Joe Pantoliano's character is in the middle of it all. Similar to the sex, the violence is also exceptionally well filmed. A lot of it is mixed with a good dose of humor as well, which keeps it fresh. For example, during the second half of Bound, there is a rather long but very effective scene where a man is tortured. I am convinced Quentin Tarantino is well aware of it.

You would either love or hate Bound. It is that type of a film. I like it because it mixes plenty of style with enough substance to keep one interested in its subject. I would also be lying to you if I did not admit that I like how deliciously naughty it is. Nowadays, we rarely see an R-rated Hollywood film where the sex is exciting. Typically, it is boring and tasteless. Well, if you decide to see Bound, I guarantee you won't be bored.

Bound Blu-ray, Video Quality

 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Bound arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors M6.

I still own the old Artisan DVD release of Bound (the censored one). I also own a Dutch import of this film. I have also seen the old French TF1 release, with the imposed French subtitles, which I believe is now out of print as well. With other words, I have a pretty good idea what type of treatment Bound received in North America and in Europe. So, I was very much looking forward to see what type of improvements the M6 release would offer.

First, the Blu-ray disc contains the uncut version of Bound. Second, the color-scheme is absolutely fantastic. The blacks are rich and well saturated, the blues gentle and elegant, the grays heavy but not boosted, and the whites clean and natural-looking. Furthermore, none of the macroblocking that used to plague the DVD releases that I've seen is here. Third, clarity and detail are very good. This being said, aside from a few heavy linings as well as some minor digital noise in the very beginning of the film, the rest of the transfer looks terrific. When blown through a digital projector, it also holds quite well. Finally, there are absolutely no scratches, specks, debris, or dirt that I detected. To sum it all up, Bound most definitely has never looked this good. (Note: This is a Region-Free disc. It plays on all standalone players and PS3s).

Bound Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 

There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and French DTS 2.0. Obviously, I opted for the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

Before I get to the technical analysis, I would like to mention that there are a few typos on this disc – on the back cover and the main menu, noting different aspect ratios, non-existing audio tracks, etc – which you shouldn't take seriously. With other words, the Blu-ray disc is done right.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is solid. The bass is rich and potent, the high-frequencies not overdone, and the surround channels intelligently used. The dialog is crisp, clear and very easy to follow. I did not detect any balance issues to report in this review either. On the contrary, Don Davis' soundtrack blends well with the dialog. All in all, I am more than pleased with the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. For the record, M6 have provided optional French subtitles for the main feature.

Bound Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras

 

Audio commentary – the French distributors have supplied an audio commentary with the Wachowski brothers, film editor Zach Staenberg and consultant Susie Bright. Simply put, this commentary alone is a good enough reason to recommend the Blu-ray disc. It is one of the first commentaries to be recorded (well before DVD was even on the market) and to this day remains one of the best ever done. It is incredibly informative and entertaining at the same time. With optional French subtitles.

Featurette – this is the old featurette that was available on the now out of print North American DVD release. Here, you would hear cast and crew members sharing their thoughts on the film. With imposed French subtitles. (PAL, 5 min).

Scenes de tournage - A collage of multiple takes on specific scenes from the film. With imposed French subtitles. (PAL, 6 min).

Film annonce – French and English-language trailers. The English-language trailer has imposed French subtitles (PAL).

Filmographies & Interviews – a collage of very short interviews with Larry and Andy Wachowski (1 min), Jennifer Tilly (2 min), Gina Gershon (3 min) and Joe Pantoliano (2 min), and text format filmographies. All of the interviews address the script of the film. With imposed French subtitles, in PAL.

Bound Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

 

If you like Bound as much as I do, you should consider adding this Blu-ray disc to your collection immediately. For whatever reason, the film rubs a lot of people in North America the wrong way, so I don't foresee a local release arriving any time soon. Fortunately enough, the French Blu-ray disc herein reviewed delivers everything a fan of the film could ask for. Very Highly Recommended.

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