The Blu-ray Disc
Do the Right Thing is presented in 1080p high definition with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. This is a rich visual presentation that looks solidly clear and crisp for a film its age. The picture has a very textured look, which comes off well in this transfer. The most overwhelmingly positive aspect of it is the earthy tones, especially the reds that dominate the visual motif to suggest radiating heat. Red objects seem to pop off the screen whenever they’re in the frame. There’s a bit of natural grain to the picture, but it’s appropriate, and never reaches an obnoxious level.
The audio is presented in Dolby DTS-HD, which handles the mix nicely. This is a dialogue-centric film, but the ubiquitous Public Enemy anthem “Fight the Power” makes good use of the subwoofer in its many, many appearances throughout.
Special Features
This 20th Anniversary edition is packed with extras, many of which have been previously available on various incarnations, but there are several new bonuses. Do the Right Thing: 20 Years Later is a 35-plus minute retrospective on the film, with interviews that Lee conducts with much of the principal cast as well as quite a few crew members. Full of anecdotes, it’s a nice piece. Also new are 14 minutes of deleted scenes, which were apparently just rediscovered. Both of these extras are in high def. Also new is a 20th Anniversary commentary track by Lee.
Extras that have been available before include Lee’s personal footage from the set of the film, a making-of doc, several interviews, a storyboard sequence, footage from the 1989 Cannes Film Festival where the film debuted, and the old commentary track. The old extras are still in standard def.
The Bottom Line
Do the Right Thing holds an important spot in the history of American cinema, and the 20th Anniversary Blu-ray is an excellent treatment of it.
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