There is nothing and I mean *nothing* more annoying that a hotly anticipated 4K release being gatekept behind the identity of a collectors/anniversary/limited edition multipack for it to be singularly released a few months later. Now I am not saying doing a mystery title this way is outlandish (Paramount Presents), especially when it’s several movies for a good price, but charging upwards of $100 for a singular disk because it has a booklet or art cards or something special and ONLY selling it that way is aggravating. Thankfully though, Paramount knew what the people wanted and gave us the glory that is Tarantino’s quintessential masterpiece Pulp Fiction in 4K in December 2022 with a beautiful slipcover edition and steelbook edition. Now in its 30^th anniversary, Paramount has blessed the collectors with something that is a cross between a luxury premium, a Second Sight release, and an Arrow release — a true cream-of-the-crop release that die hard fans and limited-edition collectors are going to fall in love with.

Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace in PULP FICTION. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Now, if you haven’t seen the 4K yet, I just assume that you do not like Pulp Fiction because there is no reason this is not already on your shelf in one form or another. The 4K is gorgeous; the colors pop, the sound is magnificent, it truly is a fantastic restoration that has to be seen to be believed. To me, there was always one detail missing, and no premium label (like Manta Lab, Blufans, HDZETA, etc.) has created it yet, and that is a slip that mimics the briefcase from the movie. The 30^th anniversary does just that though, the rigid slip box (not to be mistaken with a hard box usually reserved for collector’s editions from the U..K) is sleek in its all-black design with its title a third of the way up presented in the same coloring and font as in the movie but the two words side by side instead of stacked. While the back of the box gives a literal definition of “pulp,” my only complaint is the inside of the slip box is not gold to give the illusion of the briefcase being opened.

Center: Christopher Walken as Captain Koons in PULP FICTION. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Now, here’s where things start to get really interesting and start to flow for the original art fanatics. While the initial 4K release features a steelbook focused on Vincent and Mia dancing at Jack Rabbit Slim’s, and the original 4K slip is Mia laying down having a cigarette in monochrome minus her lipstick (an homage to the original poster and the previous Blu-ray release), the 30^th anniversary FINALLY gives collectors that original poster art as a slip cover, but it’s not a regular slipcover, it’s an O-card, which if you don’t know what that is, you’re truly in for a treat. In this scenario, the O-card slipcover, different from a regular slipcover, opens up horizontally and the slip opens to a pop-up of the classic Jack Rabbit Slim’s dance scene in all of its glory (though, be warned, it’s fragile, to an extent, and doesn’t “pop” up as expected, so be careful when opening it and ensure not to rip it). There are very few examples that I can think of that do this, especially for a studio release, but one that does come to mind is Hobo with a Shotgun (2011), but considering this is a rare feat for mainstream studio releases, this is a perfect way to honor the 30^th anniversary of one of Tarantino’s best with a gorgeous new edition featuring original art and a stunning O-card slipcover. To summarize the beauty of this edition, collectors will get a hard box where the slipped movie and art cards/camera call sheet are nested in, with the slipcover donning the original artwork. Due to the slip being an O-CARD slipcover, and opening horizontally we get the famous Jack Rabbit Slim scene in a pop up to truly bring to life a scene from the movie, and then the 4K cover is the same as the previously released 4K which was the monochrome focus on Uma Thurman’s Mia Wallace that was also the previously released 4K slipcover.

L-R: John Travolta as Vincent Vega and Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield in PULP FICTION. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Now if it was just an O-card slipcover that also had original art, this would be more than worth the double (triple) dip personally, especially with the beautiful slip box, but we also get collectible stickers which feature Jack Rabbit Slim’s, Big Kahuna Burger, and more;  a photography contact sheet; and lobby card reproductions with Jules and Vincent in their classic pose on the other side of the envelope. Truly, this is a wonderful premium-light collector’s edition to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of one of the greatest movies of all time, and arguably one of the best movies of Tarantino’s career. It’s an exceptional home release for a movie that continues to shock and awe with every viewing for how utterly brilliant and perfect it is, a testament to the skills of everyone involved.

Pulp Fiction Legacy Special Features:

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc

• Not the Usual Mindless Boring Getting to Know You Chit Chat
• Here are Some Facts on the Fiction
• Enhanced Trivia Track (subtitle file)

Blu-ray Disc

• Not the Usual Mindless Boring Getting to Know You Chit Chat
• Here Are Some Facts on the Fiction
• Pulp Fiction: The Facts – Documentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Behind the Scenes Montages
• Production Design Featurette
• Siskel & Ebert “At the Movies”- The Tarantino Generation
• Independent Spirit Awards
• Cannes Film Festival – Palme d’Or Acceptance Speech
• Charlie Rose Show
• Marketing Gallery
• Still Galleries
• Enhanced Trivia Track (text on feature)
• Soundtrack Chapters (index points in feature)

Available on 4K UHD Collectors Edition December 3^rd, 2024.

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Categories: Home Release, Recommendation

Tags: 4K UHD, Alexis Arquette, Amanda Plummer, Bruce Willis, Christopher Walken, crime, crime drama, drama, Eric Stoltz, Frank Whaley, Harvey Keitel, home release, home video, John Travolta, Julia Sweeney, Maria de Medeiros, Paramount Pictures, Peter Greene, Phil LaMarr, Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, Rosanna Arquette, Samuel L. Jackson, Steve Buscemi, streaming, Tim Roth, Uma Thurman, Ving Rhames