Review: 'Runaway Train' Barrels onto a Handsome New 2K Blu-ray Edition

The story behind the production of "Runaway Train" is as interesting as the movie; it was originally envisioned as an international co-production with Embassy Pictures and master of Japanese cinema Akira Kurosawa.

That project came together and fell apart, but Kurosawa's script carried on, adapted into the "Runaway Train." It's an incredible action-adventure work that remembers epics like "Seven Samurai" and "Stagecoach," while keeping the existentialism inherent in Kurosawa's script untarnished. As a matter of fact, the film offers hard-boiled excitement that coasts on a trio of committed performances, and incredibly daunting cinematography.

Kino Lorber Studio Classics brings "Runaway Train" to Blu-ray with a 1080p presentation sourced from a new 2K master that looks a touch different from previous releases, but is pleasing. This presentation offers richer black levels and warmer skin tones, helping to make this a handsome release.

There are few special features to accompany this release, but it carries over commentary with actor Eric Roberts and film historians C. Courtney Joyner and David Del Valle, and those are worthwhile, indeed.

Two prisoners, Manny (Jon Voight) and Buck (Eric Roberts), escape from a desolate maximum-security penitentiary in Alaska and hop aboard a speeding train to freedom.

Then, the engineer suffers a heart attack; then, the train completely loses control. When the railroad heads decide the best course of action is to derail the train because of the danger it poses, Manny, Buck, and train engineer Sara (Rebecca DeMornay) must race against time to stop the train before it derails, and they all die.

"Runaway Train" is a perfect synthesis of prestige drama and rollicking adventure film. It has the larger-than-life characterizations inherent in many of Kurosawa's works. Yes, the train is a metaphor for life hurtling towards destiny, but that never becomes overbearing nonsense.

This is most likely the best the film has ever looked at home. For that reason, this new Blu-ray comes highly recommended.

Other special features include:

� Trailers from Hell with Rod Lurie
� Theatrical trailer

"Runaway Train" is now available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.