The Film
When released in 1999, Go, the Doug Liman story of would-be gangsters and ravers was often compared to the various Quentin Tarantino knockoffs of the era. But from the beginning, which starts with a crew of slacker grocery store employees, this one goes in another direction entirely. Told from multiple points of view, with one character looking for a miracle to stave off eviction (although not a traditional Christmas miracle as it takes place at a rave), mishaps with bridesmaids, strip club owners and one angry drug dealer -- all intertwined together -- the story unfolds. This anthology tale lacks the over-the-top violence that might be expected, but is no less free of characters that are practically looking for trouble in all the wrong places.
The Picture
The 1080p 2.40:1 presentation brings more to the picture than the DVD ever could, and while there are few special effects in the film, Go has some vibrant colors that scream for a format such as Blu-ray. The lush Los Angeles locales, and the somewhat realistic and colorful depiction of a rave are contrasted against the drab grocery store setting, and these contrasts are better expressed in high definition. The enhanced detail of the Blu-ray alone over the DVD is worth the upgrade.
The Sound
As this isn't an overly action-packed film, the audio isn't exactly over the top, but does play a crucial role in the storytelling. From the intro, which blends the Columbia Pictures logo into the opening musical track, Go is driven by its soundtrack. And while the music is heavy on the dance element, it isn't limited to trance or other stereotypical rave music. All the music, as well as the audio cues are clear as ever with the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound mix, which brings out the most subtle bits of dialog and even background noises.
The Extras
Did you buy Go on DVD? If so the Blu-ray version will look very familiar, right down to the packaging. The disc is basically a direct reissue when it comes to the bonus features, some of which are a little dated at this point. Go has the obligatory director commentary (nearly 10 years old at this point); a making-of featurette; 14 deleted scenes; and three music videos. While some of the deleted scenes are ones that don't appear in the movie, others are outtakes of scenes that did appear and were apparently reshot. As with other reissues to Blu-ray of DVD releases this one delivers a decent selecton of extras, but really doesn't bring out anything new.
Final Thoughts
As the 90's drew to a close, Go was a fun film with dark undertones; it took a critical look at the rave scene, and for that reason became a classic of a generation, though it begins to lose some ground as the ecstasy starts to wear off. The lack of new extras make it a hard sell if you already own the DVD, but there is the significantly enhanced audio and video transfers to consider. If this will be a new addition to your collection, or you want to see and hear the film in its best possible light, then go for it.
Where to Buy
Product Details
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