COCKTAIL : The Blu Review

As someone who has tended bar or many years, COCKTAIL is a staple. Academy Award® nominee Tom Cruise (Oscar® Nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Jerry McGuire in 1997) stars as Brian Flanagan, one of Cruise’s most memorable films from earlier in his career. COCKTAIL is fun, witty, and it combines two of my favorite things…

Movies and Alcohol!

After returning from the army, New York bartender Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise) learns the secrets of the trade from his new boss, Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown), before heading to Jamaica to work at a local resort TIki Bar. While in Jamaica, Flanagan falls in love with an American tourist (Elisabeth Shue).

I am the last barman poet. 
I see America drinking the fabulous cocktails I make. 
Americans getting stinky on something I stir or shake. 
The sex on the beach, the schnapps made from peach, 
The Velvet Hammer, 
the Al-La-Bam-A Slam-a!

I make things with juice and froth: the Pink Squirrel, the 3-Toed Sloth. I make drinks so sweet and snazzy: 
The Iced Tea, The Kamikaze, The Orgasm, The Death Spasm, 
The Singapore Sling, The Dingaling.

America you’ve just been devoted to every flavor I got. 
But if you want to got loaded, 
why don’t you just order a shot? 
Bar is open.

VISUAL/AUDIO

Although the visual quality of the film is not up to today’s high def standards, they captured the colors of the time quite nicely. The 1.85 transfer is not the best, but it brings out the details in the dimly lit bar scenes. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 stereo soundtrack seems to be mostly focused on the front, but since this is a bartending movie with catchy pop songs, it does the job! Although not mind-blowing, the dialog and soundtrack are nicely balanced with each-other. For a movie that was released in 1988 they did a great job of transferring it.

BONUS FEATURES

If you are looking for any extras, you will be disappointed. No behind the scenes moments, no funny stories… just the movie.

OVERALL RATING: 3 out of 5 (For no bonus features)