Allan Moyle (Pump up the Volume) cranks it up another notch with his direction of this comedy about an eventful day in the lives of the young slackers, doers and dreamers who all work at the bustling Empire Records store. “This music is the glue of the world,” one of Empire's clerks says. “It holds it all together.” With one of the most dynamic song scores ever, tunes by Gin Blossoms, the Cranberries, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Cracker, Evan Dando, Better Than Ezra and more set off virtually every scene. The cast includes Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings films), Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones Diary), Anthony LaPaglia (TV’s “Without a Trace”), among others.
Empire Records was a film I watched constantly back in the mid to late 90's. I loved the soundtrack and the characters while a little odd felt real and like they had a family bond. I haven't seen it in a few years at least and that was the Remix:Special Fan Edition. While I enjoyed that version of the film this new Blu-ray only contains the Theatrical Edition. Some times when you go back and watch a beloved film from your teenage years they don't resonate as much but I am happy to say I was instantly engaged and enjoying the funny and dramatic day at an independent record store. The cast includes a young Renee Zellweger and the luminous Liv Tyler before she became Arwen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Rest of the actor's and actresses exhibit a natural chemistry and charisma. 20 years later Empire Records is still a fun and rockin' time. 8.5/10
Empire Records arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 - Making it's Blu-ray debut Empire Records is overall a pleasing visual experience for a cult film from two decades ago. Colors feature bold primaries and good saturation. Black levels were solid but could have been deeper. Fine details in close ups and clothing patterns and fabric are quite good. There are a few soft shots but nothing to cause any concern. Fine grain is left in and thankfully no signs of artificial sharpening. 8/10
Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. - Dialogue was crisp and clear except for a scene where Tyler and Zellweger are yelling are shouting at one another and there is some noticeable distortion. The track is front heavy and some of the hit songs from the soundtrack are kept at a low level in the mix. When a music track is featured more prominently such as "Sugar High" fidelity was good. 7/10
* Deleted Scenes (SD, 7min39sec) - Four scenes in total. A "play all" option is included.
* Music Videos
- Rex Manning "Say No More" (SD, 3min15sec)
- Gwar "Saddam A Go-Go" (SD, 2min35sec)
- Gwar "Vlad the Impaler" Live (SD, 3min15sec)
* Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2mi25sec)