Sudden Death | 4K Ultra HD (Kino Lorber)
RELEASE DATE: August 27, 2024
On August 27, 2024, Kino Lorber will be releasing a 4K UHD Blu-ray for Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Sudden Death, which will be presented with a Brand New HDR Dolby Vision Master!
This 1995 actioner (fan-titled “Die Hard in a hockey arena”) is directed by Peter Hyams (Enemies Closer, Timecop) and also stars Powers Boothe (Rapid Fire) and Raymond J. Barry (Year of the Dragon).
A former fireman (Van Damme) takes on a group of terrorists (headed by Boothe) holding the Vice President and others hostage during the seventh game of the NHL Stanley Cup finals.
Sudden Death also stars Whittni Wright (I’ll Do Anything), Ross Malinger (Sleepless in Seattle), Dorian Harewood (Roots) and Kate McNeil (Monkey Shines).
The film spawned a by-theme-only 2020 sequel titled, Welcome to Sudden Death (aka Sudden Death 2), which starred Michael Jai White (Triple Threat, Accident Man).
Details:
DISC 1 (4K-UHD):
- Brand New HDR Dolby Vision Master – From 16bit 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
- NEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and UK Cult Movie Director Ross Boyask
- 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Stereo
- Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
- Optional English Subtitles
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- Brand New HD Master – From 16bit 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
- NEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and UK Cult Movie Director Ross Boyask
- Vintage Interview Clips with Jean-Claude Van Damme, Peter Hyams, Powers Boothe and Ross Malinger (8:01)
- Behind-The-Scenes Footage (6:59)
- TV Spot
- Theatrical Trailer
- 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Stereo
- Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
- Optional English Subtitles
Don’t miss the film’s classic Trailer below:
Final Score (2018), starring Dave Bautista and Pierce Brosnan, seems to be heavily influenced by Sudden Death. “After deadly terrorists abduct his niece at a soccer match, an ex-soldier with lethal fighting skills wages a one-man war to save her and prevent mass destruction.”
Ahh! And this is after I already bought the Canadian Blu Ray!
I revisited the movie, and it is well done. It’s one of those Van Damme films that’s more accessible to mainstream audiences. It’s just unfortunate that it didn’t find them back in the day.
It is hard not to laugh at certain things in the film, like how after the kitchen is closed and the staff went home, all the equipment is still turned on and food is being cooked. Or after everyone else is taken hostage, we don’t see anyone get alerted or how the FBI got involved, or how the Secret Service agent the penguin terrorist killed at the elevator is the last to know that something is wrong.
I did appreciate how Van Damme’s Fire Marshall is able to find the bombs through deductive reasoning and use his brain as much as his brawn. Or how he predates Liam Neeson’s phone threat when he calls Powers Boothe and tells him what’s what despite being at a huge disadvantage and with no bargaining chip.
I wonder what the special features will be like.