Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review)

Is Thunderbolt and Lightfoot Trash or Treasure?

Blu-ray Distributed By: Kino Lorber / November 12, 2019

Screen legends Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges star as a pair of modern-day outlaws in this bold, witty and tough action-packed crime thriller. Thunderbolt (Eastwood) is a former thief whose razor-sharp wits and steely nerves made him a master of his profession, but he’s about to reenter the criminal world with a new partner: Lightfoot (Bridges), a brash young drifter whose energy and exuberance give the veteran a new outlook on life. Their target: the seemingly impenetrable Montana Armored Depository. After forming an uneasy alliance with Thunderbolt’s former partners in crime, Red Leary (George Kennedy, Cool Hand Luke) and Eddie Goody (Geoffrey Lewis, High Plains Drifter), they launch an amazing scheme that will test the limits of their endurance, and the power of their friendship. Fueled by explosive action, fascinating characters and a powerfully moving climax, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is an adventure of the highest caliber and the directorial debut of the great Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter).

Jimbo’s Take (4 / 5)

Martin Scorsese is correct. Today’s modern “event” movies are not cinema. I know this is a contentious topic among the outrage mob. After all, the definition of “cinema” is somewhat subjective. However, if you can afford me just a moment, I have at least one example to illustrate Marty’s point. That example is Director Michael Cimino’s Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is the epitome of “cinema.” Focus is not on some overly complex expanded universe or series of plot points that cleverly tie together. It’s not a movie by committee or focus group. Like all of Cimino’s films, the primary focus of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is on character, the art of the motion picture, and in Cimino’s own words “Magic is what cinema should be. That’s what intrigues me about movies. Magic.”

Just look at the framing, scope, and composition of this still image. It’s a beautiful image. But it’s not just a beautiful image. This image isn’t even moving, there’s no dialogue, yet you know just at a glance who these two people represent. Both men are set in front of a gorgeous blue sky, with puffy white clouds. In the foreground is Lightfoot (Jeff Bridges) sitting on the ground, face to the sun, optimistic; full of life and vigor. In the background is Thunderbolt (Clint Eastwood), older, tired, bent over, gaze cast downward. More is said in a single image than what some filmmakers struggle to say in an entire expanded universe.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot doesn’t need to stand on the shoulders of special effects, marketing gimmicks, or clever plot twists. From the moment the film kicks off we’re in the adventure with these two because Cimino understands how to develop characters. And by casting Eastwood as the aging, world-weary Thunderdbolt, and Bridges as the young, exuberant Lightfoot, Cimino has found actors who largely embody these fictional individuals making our shared experience feel natural and effortless. Eastwood is unsurprisingly strong in the film but Bridges really stood out as exceptional, and charismatic.

Now don’t misunderstand. My intent isn’t to insult the “amusement park” movie. I happen to be a fan of amusement parks. And cinema and amusement can co-exist. I very much enjoy Marvel movies as pure escapism. But you have to at least concede that there is a difference between Robert Downy Jr. in extreme close-up in front of a green screen delivering some quirky quip and, as another example, this image below…

Here we have Eddie Goody (Geoffrey Lewis) and Red Leary (George Kennedy) riding together in a ridiculously tiny ice cream truck. Goody and Red are ex-cons, and just as menacing as they are humorous. These two, along with Lightfoot and Thunderbolt have taken jobs to aid in their impending heist. Goody has taken a job as an ice cream vendor to scope out their target. But it’s not just a plot point to get from point A to B. Cimino’s characters drive the story and not the other way around. This is who Goody is. And Cimino intentionally puts Red in the same cabin, sweating like a pig, and dressed in a full suit to juxtapose the two characters.

Cimino allows the camera to sit back and let our two characters play the scene out together. And by letting his characters drive everything forward naturally he’s able to conjure the “magic” of cinema. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is an exceptional example of balancing action and adventure with a tense crime story that can also be humorous and heartfelt. I cared implicitly for our main characters and I wanted them to succeed even if their quest is illegal and immoral.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot gets a very high recommendation from me, but we haven’t even delved into the blu-ray specs and extras. So let’s do that now…

The Tech Stuff (4.8 / 5)

According to Kino Lorber, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is sourced from a new 4K master. Although I’m skeptical when companies claim this; for this release I will simply say…Wow!

I love Michael Cimino’s style. Shot in a 2.39:1 “scope” aspect ratio, the movie looks great. I’m a big fan of film grain and this transfer replicates that look nicely. Colors look natural and image clarity and detail is exceptional. As I’ve mentioned above, Cimino knows how to make use of the full frame. It’s just a really nice looking movie. (5 out of 5)

As for the audio, I only experienced one anomaly during my screening. There’s a funny scene with Lightfoot and Thunderbolt hitching a ride in the back of a car filling with carbon monoxide. The driver is clearly bonkers out of his mind. Anyway, it’s at this point in the film that the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track presented a slight echo as if the two tracks became out of alignment by a single frame or two. But the characters are getting high on the fumes, so was this intentional or not? I have no idea. But this one short bit is the exception. The rest of the film sounded great. (4.5 out of 5)

Extras (4 / 5)

One thing I really love about Kino Lorber blu-ray extras is they tend to provide quality over quantity. Unlike the studio blockbusters that provide “over 9 hours of exclusive features” that turn out to be mostly advertisements for a video game or some other bullshit, Kino actually provides extras that enhance the film experience.

Pour l’amour des personnages (For the Love of Characters) is a 28 minute audio interview with Director Michael Cimino. I’m typically not a fan of audio interviews but this one was really good.
Audio Commentary with critic Nick Pinkerton (also very informative)
Trailer
TV Spots
Radio Spots
Additional trailers for Eastwood and Bridges Kino Blu-ray Releases

Trash or Treasure? Overall Recommendation

I guess my larger point (and Scorsese’s) is that the film industry needs more balance. We need more Thunderbolt and Lightfoot movies to balance the big dumb ‘splosions. Perhaps the success of Todd Phillip’s character study of Joker also proves this. But even if the big studios continue to produce movies by committee, don’t fret because cinema isn’t dead. We still have companies like Kino Lorber who seek to preserve and release really good cinema.

Before you focus your rage on me, I’m not trashing “event” movies. I enjoy Star Wars and Marvel flicks just as much as the next person. The distinction I’m trying to make, perhaps unsuccessfully, is the difference between being entertained and fulfilled. Something like Spider-man or Fast & Furious Part 32 entertain me and satisfy like a pepperoni pizza. It tastes good but it’s junk food and I won’t give it a second thought after consumption. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is more like a table meal with my family. I sit down, take my time, learn about the kid’s school day, find out what’s annoying my wife… And at the end of it all I’m left with a deeper and lasting impression beyond just calories and a full belly. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is Treasure!