Review: 'Moonstruck' Intoxicating in 4K Remastered Blu-ray

Of all the unique pleasures to... well, moon over in "Moonstruck," it's the freedom of choice and emotional expression in all of its characters that makes it so revelatory. The Norman Jewison-directed romantic comedy is held up in the pantheon of all cinema for taking an airtight John Patrick Shanley script and turning it loose through stars at the height of their powers. The result is intoxicating, enthralling and feels all-encompassing in its exploration of life and its many layers. Plus, you know, Cher's central performance gives the actress the biggest canvas to wholly make her own, and boy does she take advantage of that.

The Criterion Collection brings "Moonstruck" to Blu-ray with a new 4K digital restoration approved by director Norman Jewison. The new video presentation shows improvement over the previous MGM Blu-ray in all the right ways, boasting incredible detail upon closer inspection and making the somewhat heavy film grain really soar. While most of the special features are carried over from previous releases, Criterion has compiled a laundry list of extras that you'll want to dig into immediately. Add in a new interview with John Patrick Shanley and an appreciation from scholar Stefano Albertini to the list of extras, and it's easy to see that this is another winner from Criterion.

Love and music are in the air in New York City, as Loretta (Cher) starts to fall in love with Ronny (Nicolas Cage), a hot-blooded baker with an affection for opera. Unfortunately, Loretta is already engaged to be married to Ronny's brother Johnny (Danny Aiello).

"Moonstruck" has been heralded as much more than just a romantic comedy, especially with Shanley's incredible script about multiple generations of an Italian-American family dealing with where each of their members is in life. Loretta and Ronny's blossoming love may make the story soar to incredible heights, but I think it's the fine-grained character work filling this world that really makes it rise above. Even the kitchen and wait staff of a local restaurant get their time to shine.

Shanley has said in the past that he was born as a playwright, and Jewison may be his best collaborator on the big screen. He's just the right person to find a visual way to produce each and every line, especially when multiple characters are talking back and forth in one location. If you've ever wanted a film that uses clich� as a means for deeper emotional exploration, "Moonstruck" is it. I'd pick this up immediately.

Other special features include:

� Introduction from 2013 featuring Cher
� Interviews from 1987 with director Norman Jewison and actors Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, and Olympia Dukakis
� Interview from 2002 with actor Danny Aiello
� Audio interview from 1989 with Shanley about screenwriting and the development of Moonstruck
� "At the Heart of an Italian Family" -- a 2006 program about the making of the film
� "The Music of "Moonstruck" -- a 2006 program featuring interviews with Jewison and composer Dick Hyman
� Audio commentary from 1998 with Cher, Jewison, and Shanley
� Trailer
� English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
� An essay by critic Emily VanDerWerff

"Moonstruck" is now available on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection,