Release Date: Apr 12, 2022
Format: 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray
Company: Arrow

Synopsis:
A spoiled rich kid, a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks, a carefree playboy and a dogged detective find themselves all caught up in the sex crime of the century in this steamy star-studded crime thriller from the director of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

Popular and charming, student counsellor Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) is no stranger to being the focus of female attention within the moneyed cliques of Florida’s Blue Bay. His fortunes are about to change dramatically, however, when one of the wealthiest students at his high school, sultry siren Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards), accuses him of rape. The charge looks sure to stick when another girl from the other end of the social spectrum, Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell), steps forward with her own allegations, but Detective Duquette (Kevin Bacon) smells something fishy, and the truth is as murky and dangerous as the alligator-infested swamps in the hinterlands of this affluent beach community.

Presented in new 4K restorations of its original theatrical version and extended ‘Unrated Edition’, Wild Things is a classic piece of sexy late-90s neo-noir from director John McNaughton and writer Stephen Peters, whose serpentine plotting will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end credits roll.

Review:
Every so often, and quite a few times during the 90s, Hollywood takes a deep breath and thinks about taking on the sexy or erotic thriller. Sex is usually part of every genre in a way as even if they don’t show the act on screen, from comedies to sci-fi, dramas to horror, someone, at some point is going to have an object of their affection and either make a move, be deemed worthy to make a move or insinuate that a move has been taken. But the sexy or erotic thriller is a beast with two backs of a different colour. Spun off the film noirs of the past, the best of them are remembered for their humid atmosphere, their seductive soundtracks, their sleazy protagonists and a good old twist in the tale. The worst of them are remembered for either a before-they-were-famous nude scene or a we-never-thought-we’d-see-THAT-actor nude scene.

Wild Things is one of the good ones and although it is probably remembered in giggly whispers or laddish braggadocio for the numerous naked or sexual scenes featuring Denise Richards, it could actually have those scenes all but removed and still be a fascinating and engaging watch.

It has all the elements you want in a movie like this: twists, turns, comedy, surprise, drama, an impeccable cast, wonderful cinematography and a sweaty, swampy, sleazy saxophone filled atmosphere.

I adore a good detective thriller, mystery movie or film noir but since the 50s, the number of just straight forward, keeps you along for the ride, cinematic mysteries are pretty scarce. This maybe because of the rise of TV shows like Columbo and police procedurals that solve a crime in 45 minutes not counting commercials. But honestly I could go for at least one Wild Things style movie, explicit sex or not (that’s not why I’m watching but it certainly adds to the whole vibe of the movie) every year. Shane Black writes a good mystery too but the wait is too long for me between a Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and a Nice Guys.

Anyway Wild Things does what it promises on the tin and then some. It’s the little extras that Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer director John McNaughton adds to the mix - Bill Murray as the crooked attorney, Walter the gator wrestler, the casting of Robert Wagner is genius and so on. McNaughton knows that while the nudity and the thriller plot will get you to watch a couple of times, to ensure repeat viewings for years to come you have to make the film memorable and a little different.

4K UltraHD/Blu-Ray review:
The film looks and sounds great, the 4K milking every l droplet of Floridian humidity out of the rich pinks, deep yellows and lush greens of the film’s hazy sun and neon drenched palette.

The extras are nice and the interview with the director and his star, Denise Richards are entertaining to watch. Shame more of the cast didn’t come out to support this release but fair play to Richards for defending and talking about the film.

With all these special editions I always miss just a really good, strong making of. It can sometimes feel like the art of movie extras has slowly died which is a shame because some of these films could really use and deserve a full retrospective.

EXTRAS:

• Exclusive new audio commentary by director John McNaughton and producer Steven A. Jones

• Commentary by director John McNaughton, cinematographer Jeffrey Kimball, producers Steven A. Jones and Rodney Liber, editor Elena Maganini and score composer George S. Clinton

• Exclusive new interview with John McNaughton

• Exclusive new interview with Denise Richards

• Electronic press kit featurette

• An Understanding Lawyer outtakes

• Trailer

• Limited Edition SteelBook housed in Deluxe rigid packaging, both featuring newly commissioned artwork by Sam Gilbey

• Double-sided fold-out poster

• Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions

• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anne Billson and Sean Hogan

OTHER DETAILS:

• All regions

• 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray

• 1998

• Run Time: 115 mins

• New 4K restorations of both the Original Theatrical Version and the Unrated Edition from the original camera negatives by Sony Pictures Entertainment

• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray™ presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and high-definition Blu-ray(1080p) presentation

• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio

• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing

• Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)

• Original uncompressed stereo audio and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio

• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing