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Used Cars (1980) - Blu-ray

I hate buying cars.  I hate the hassle and I hate dealing with the annoying sales people.  But I know lots of other people love the art of the deal.  And that’s where Used Cars, a film executive produced by Steven Spielberg and John Milius, comes into play.  It is sort of a bridge between my world and the world of the sales person that, even at its lamest attempt at comedy, manages to bring nothing but good and groovy vibes.

"so full of zany and outrageous characters that it practically trips on its own insanity, recovering for a douse of sobriety in the film’s finale"


So, yeah, strip away inflation with this comedy classic and get blown back in time.  Used Cars is made brand new again.

Which is why, I suppose, this satirical black comedy about the car business is number 67 in Shout! Select’s continuing line of movies that deserve a spot in your Blu-ray collection.  Full of foul language and hilarious comical situations, including a live on-camera advert that goes hysterically wrong when a woman loses her clothes. {googleads}

Starring Kurt Russell as Rudy Russo and Jack Warden in two roles as Roy L. Fuchs, Rudy’s across the street used car competitor and Luke Fuch, Rudy’s boss at his car lot AND his main investor in his run for state senate, the comedy plays by no rules and, complete with a lot of heart, makes it one of the top raucous comedies of the era.  And we probably have the writing and directing team of Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale to thank for that. Used Cars (1980) - Blu-ray

Used Cars earns its stripes quickly on how NOT to lose a business to your competitor, especially when Luke dies and is buried in a Cadillac in the back lot of the car lot and Russell, along with Gerrit Graham as Jeff, David L. Lander as Freddie Paris, Michael McKean as Eddie Winslow, and Frank McRae as Jim the Mechanic, all play pretend in order to keep the heat on Roy and his gang of salesmen.  Bring on the strippers and the guns!  The competition is about to get blown away!

Used Cars is so full of zany and outrageous characters that it practically trips on its own insanity, recovering for a douse of sobriety in the film’s finale.  Does it go too far?  Oh, probably.  But I don’t think we mind.  It’s rude, sexist, full of stereotypes, shenanigans, and all sorts of early ‘80s goofball charm. 

Jesus Palomino!  Used Cars is now on blu-ray thanks to Shout! Select.

4 beers

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[tab title="Details"]

Used Cars (1980) - Blu-ray

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 113 mins
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale
Cast: Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Gerrit Graham
Genre: Comedy
Tagline: Trust Us.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Don't let the little head do the thinking for the big head."
Theatrical Distributor: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Official Site:
Release Date: July 11, 1980
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: February 26, 2019
Synopsis:

Rudy Russo (Kurt Russell, Escape from New York) has what it takes to be top salesman on Luke Fuchs' (Jack Warden) car lot — he's the most charming man who'll ever lie to you. Caught up in a feud between Luke and his brother/rival Roy L. Fuchs (also played by Warden), Rudy gears up for an all-out war. Employing his gifts of gab and grift — along with increasingly outlandish sales tactics — Rudy shifts the battle for sales supremacy into overdrive, turning the lot into a high-octane free-for-all!

Woefully underappreciated on its initial release, Used Cars has since become a cult favorite hailed for its trunkload of talent in front of and behind the camera, and its rich Corinthian laughter. So tell me: what can I do to get you into Used Cars today?

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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]

Used Cars (1980) - Blu-ray

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Details:

Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - February 26, 1980
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Shout Select presents Used Cars with a polished visual upgrade from its original DVD release. The new transfer showcases the draw of the car lots with a nice, scenic beauty of its nightlife. The dancing women helps, too.  Filmed on location in Mesa, Arizona, the film is quite crisp and expressive with its HD upgrade thanks to the surroundings. The film is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Nicely saturated, there are no dents in its new HD upgrade. Colors are strong throughout and are particularly memorable with their inclusion of details and strong edges. Black levels are clearly defined, too. Shadows are detailed. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is solid and aggressive.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • Thankfully, Shout! Factory has kept the (drunken) commentary between Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale.  Hear it all its glory as these two friends go toe-to-toe with a ton of memories about making this wacky movie.

Special Features:

Fans of Used Cars get a new interview with Bob Gale about the making of the movie.  It’s a good interview.  Ported over from previous releases are outtakes and trailers.

  • NEW Interview With Producer/Co-Writer Bob Gale
  • Outtakes
  • Radio Interviews And Spots
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Alternate Trailer
  • TV Spot
  • Photo Galleries

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[tab title="Trailer"]

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Used Cars (1980) - Blu-ray

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