Product Details

• Actors: Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy
• Directors: Michelle Manning
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Legend Films
• DVD Release Date: June 3, 2008
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0016LFG3I
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,962 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Okay, so maybe this old 80's Walter Hill co-written revenge flick ain't everybody's cup of tea. Maybe most don't even remember this seemingly forgettable Judd Nelson/Ally Sheedy re- teaming. And maybe some will be fully angered by the fact that even though it's now finally on a DVD format, this version of Blue City has not one single extra or featurette to choose from. (I'll admit it does sting a bit!) But as far as the flick goes, I simply don't care - I am a huge closet supporter of Blue City, my number one guilty pleasure film of all time. The basic story of spoiled kid Judd Nelson who returns home to find his father has been murdered and vows revenge is helped by its rather adolescent view on the classic revenge genre - think the brat pack meets Death Wish. So what makes Blue City so near and dear to my heart? It could be the sassy yet uber-cheesy script, the very cool amateurish direction by first time filmmaker Michelle Manning, or even the riveting and memorable score by Hill staple musician Ry Slide Guitar Cooder. Hell, even the myriad of Razzie nominated performances could be the films' charm; Judd Nelson as the wonderfully obnoxious scorned son, Ally Sheedy as his gal Friday, a very young David NYPD Blue Caruso as Billy's spirit shattered best friend, Paul Winfield as the smarmy chief of police and even Scott Wilson as Billy's foe - all provide delicious over the top work. But in the end it's a firm yet cheesy mix of all of the above that gives Blue City its staying power in my book. As I mentioned, it's a dismal outlook in terms of extras, a real letdown for an uber-fan like myself. (Is Michelle Manning really that busy producing that a commentary track is totally undoable - it's your baby Michelle, have a heart!) Hell, even a retrospective look at the glorious cast or Razzie nominations could have been a half decent extra. (Did you know that Near Dark's Jenny Wright was originally going to play the role portrayed by Sheedy - they should have let me have a crack at the special features dammit!) So while Blue City doesn't unveil any additional wares this time out, the simple restoration (you can hear background sounds now!) and release of this beloved Coleman classic on DVD is reason enough to celebrate. --Jason Coleman of The213.net

Product Description

Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy rekindle their chemistry from The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire in this taut thriller. After learning that his father, the mayor of Blue City, has been murdered, Billy Turner (Nelson) must track down the killer. Nelson excels as a wisecracking hero who isn't afraid to bust a few heads to get the information he needs. Supporting work from David Caruso and a standout score by Ry Cooder keep the excitement level high until the explosive conclusion.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of those movies we obsess over, and memorize, September 5, 2008

By	So anywayz "it's only in cartoons that things... (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews

This is a very watchable flick about a young man (Judd Nelson) coming back home after years away, to find his dad was killed, and who then rampages through town attempting to learn who the killer was. I won't give away the ending.

I was surprised that this movie would be available in dvd version, as the VHS version never had much popularity. Perhaps the movie achieved a "cult" status, making it deserving of dvd treatment.

The transfer is far superior to the vhs, the colors are brighter, and you can see more action filmed in dark scenes. The audio has been cleaned up so you can hear background noises you never heard on the VHS.

I love this movie just as much as Breakfast Club. Years ago, my one-time step-daughters began obsessing to this movie as I did. Our favorite quips were
"you watch your mouth",
"do you realize what you're fucking around with h!?ere?",
"gunfight at the cheap motel",
"billy, I doe not eat birds",
"where did it go",
"shot op",
"oh, I forgot, you the new attorney around here, huh? [smack!]",
"that wasn't a gun, it was an exhaust pipe, backfiring, that killed him",
and how the fight between Nelson and Caruso ends, looking like Caruso is about ready to kiss Nelson.

But if you have a life, you probably wouldn't understand.

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Underrated Films of the 1980's., January 4, 2009

By	Frank R. Schoonover (Niagara Falls, New York USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This film is finally on DVD. What took them so long, anyway?

Blue City, a 1986 film that was loosely adapted from the novel of the same name by Ross McDonald, is one of the most underrated films of the 1980's. The film reunites the team of Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy who appeared in two other favorite 1980's films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire. It also has a scorching soundtrack by Blues/Rock legend Ry Cooder.

Blue City is about a young man named Billy Turner(Nelson)who returns home to reconcile with his father, who was at the time the mayor of the town, only to learn that his father was murdered. Almost immediately, he starts a campaign of finding out who murdered his father and make him pay for what he did. Along with his best friend Joey(played by a young David Caruso), they start a two man crime wave that sets the small town on fire (so to speak)and where they have run-in's with the crooked police chief(Paul Winfield). Along the way, he admits his feelings to Joey's sister Annie(Sheedy), who in turn admits her feelings for him, and the two start a romantic relationship. With mounting evidence building up, the trio feel that they have enough to nail a local night club owner named Perry Kerch(Scott Wilson)who is married to Billy's father's widow Melvina(Anita Morris)for the murder of Billy's father. The question is; Is Perry Kerch really the man responsible or is someone else very close to Billy's father responsible?

Nelson and Sheedy still make a great team as Billy and Annie and Caruso delivers a very good performance as Annie's brother and Billy's best friend Joey. Paul Winfield steals the show as the crooked police chief Luther Reynolds who is determined to stop Billy from finding out who really killed his father(a plot twist that actually makes you wonder)following some good supporting performances by Scott Wilson and Anita Morris as Perry and Melvina. Rounding off is an early supporting performance by Julie Carmen as a two-faced prostitute named Debbie Torres. Combined with a sizzling soundtrack composed by the great Blues/Rock legend Ry Cooder, this film is a very entertaining actioner from the time period and a very watchable film that you can enjoy again and again. I saw this film back in 1986 at a local bargain cinema and it was well worth the money that I paid to see it. Nelson and Sheedy are wonderful as Billy and Annie and the action never lets up until the bitter end.

One important trivia note: This film was on Paramount's shelves for almost a year before release. I know this because the soundtrack's copyrighted year was 1985, which states this on the right picture of Nelson and Sheedy on the soundtrack album cover, which I happen to have on vinyl.

Pros: The colors are bright. The audio sounds much better and the soundtrack music sounds even crisper.

Cons: No special features like a theatrical trailer, TV spots(there were lots of them back in the day on television when the film was released. The film was intensely promoted by Paramount repeatedly)or even a commentary track by director Michelle Manning or even by Nelson, Sheedy and Caruso and above all, no interviews with the cast and crew or even trivia sections like awards or backgrounds of the actors and crew involved.

Still, it is on DVD finally and that is still great.

Overall, Blue City is severely underrated and is an entertaining film to enjoy again and again. If you saw this back in the day and want to rediscover it again if you enjoyed it, by all means rent it or better yet but it to enjoy over and over. No fan of Nelson, Sheedy or any action film fan should be without this gem.