BLU-RAY REVIEW

Cocaine Bear

Featured In Issue 267, May/June 2023

Picture5
Sound4.5
WSR Score3.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
1000823429
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Bloody violence and gore, drug content, and language throughout
(Retail Price):
$24.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
95
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
4/18/2023
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Elizabeth Banks
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 7.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

"Cocaine Bear" is inspired by the 1985 true story of a drug runner's plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it. The story finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound apex predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow...and blood. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks and Producer Max Handelman, alternate ending (HD 0:58), gag reel (HD 01:54), deleted and extended scenes (HD 04:33), the featurettes "All Roads Lead To Cokey" (HD 09:14), "UnBEARable Bloodbath: Dissecting The Kills" (HD 08:16), and "Doing Lines" (HD 04:00) and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa LF camera system and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. Picture quality is terrific with superb clarity and sharpness. The color palette is naturally hued with pleasing saturated hues. Greens and earthly colors are prominent during scenes within the forest, Other colors also a appear natural, including the goriness. Contrast is well balanced with natural black levels, revealing shadows and natural white levels. Resolution is excellent with fine detailed facial features that exhibit skin pores and lines. Clothing fabrics and object texture are nicely revealing. This is a good looking picture and exhibits naturalness throughout. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1-channel soundtrack is generally dynamic sounding. Atmospherics, sound effects and Foley sound effects provide realistic action sonics by both humans and the bear. Deep bass is effective, especially during the scenes with the water fall. The orchestral score occupies a wide and deep soundstage that envelops the four surrounds. Surround energy is often aggressive with good dimension. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with generally good spatial integration, including ADR. This is an effective soundtrack that complements this wild dark comedy. (Gary Reber)