Eye of the Tiger: Blu-Ray Review

Arriving on Blu-ray for the first time this week, is the 1986 action-drama, Eye of the Tiger, starring Gary Busey, Yaphet Kotto and Seymour Cassel. If the title sounds familiar, it is also the name of the 1982 Survivor song which won an Academy Award for Rocky III. If you are of fan of that piece of outstanding music, then you should be happy that is pops up multiple times in director Richard C. Sarafian’s film.

Vietnam War veteran Buck Matthews (Busey) has just returned home to his wife and daughter after serving a prison sentence for killing a man in self-defense. Unfortunately, the small town that he grew up in and loved has changed drastically. What was once a peaceful community has now become overrun with a drug trafficking motorcycle gang. When Buck saves a young woman from being attacked by some of the gang members, they retaliate by killing his wife, destroying his home and putting his daughter in the hospital. If things weren’t bad enough, the town’s sheriff (Cassel) happens to be as dirty as they come, taking money from the gang in exchange for looking the other way.

Eye of the Tiger is a standard revenge film, offering little that stands out. However, it does have its’ moments. The attack on the Matthews family is quite brutal, especially with how Buck’s wife Christie (Denise Galik) is toyed with before being killed. It’s not gruesome, but it is the terror and her screams that get you. The gang’s leader. Blade (William Smith) comes off more like a villain from some sort of Mad Max rip-off, but that is OK, as he does help keep things entertaining. Thankfully, Busey has the late-great Yaphet Kotto by his side when his character is taking out the trash.

For those who dig low budget 80’s action flicks, Eye of the Tiger is a decent but mostly forgotten film. Kino Lorber and Scorpion Releasing have delivered a new 2K scan that looks quite good too. The image is incredibly clean and since a-majority-of the film takes place outside in wide-open locations, it is much easier to notice just how nice the film looks. Aside from a trailer, bonus features are non-existent. Yet, despite that, this is a worthy pick up if you are a fan of Eye of the Tiger.

Blu-ray Extras:

• New HD Master From a 2K Scan of the Interpositive
• Theatrical Trailer
• Optional English Subtitles

By: Marc Ferman