One of the strangest movie musical fantasies ever produced arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, offering a fresh look at its parade of hit songs and iconic performers in Xanadu (Kino Lorber, rated PG, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, 93 minutes, $44.95).
The film follows the woeful story of struggling commercial artist Sonny Malone (Michael Beck, bearing a striking resemblance to Andy Gibb) as he falls in love with Kira, also known as Terpsichore (Olivia Newton-John), one of the Nine Muses of Olympus.
Their romance unfolds in and around the soon-to-open Los Angeles roller disco nightclub Xanadu — filmed at the historic Pan-Pacific Auditorium — but the relationship is short-lived, as Kira is forbidden from becoming involved with a mortal. Only divine intervention can alter their fate.
Key Insights
- Xanadu, a movie musical fantasy, features iconic performers like Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly in a tale of forbidden romance and divine intervention.
- The film's muddled plot and cheesy dialogue are offset by standout musical sequences powered by hit songs from Jeff Lynne and Electric Light Orchestra.
- Despite some inconsistencies in the 4K digital remaster, viewers are treated to visually impressive moments showcasing vibrant neon colors and captivating dance sequences.
Adding to the spectacle, a charming and still nimble Gene Kelly — in his final film role — plays a former 1940s bandleader who becomes Sonny’s mentor and business partner in launching the nightclub.
Despite Kelly’s presence, the film struggles under the weight of a muddled plot, cheesy and often forced dialogue, and oddly paced musical numbers tied together more by hit songs than narrative coherence.
Savvy viewers may find the best approach is to treat Xanadu as a series of music videos, jumping into the standout musical sequences powered by Jeff Lynne and Electric Light Orchestra alongside Newton-John.
Those highlights include “I’m Alive,” “Suddenly” (a Newton-John duet with British pop icon Cliff Richard), “All Over the World,” and the chart-topping hits “Xanadu” and “Magic.”
I’ll admit to being completely captivated by Newton-John during the film’s original release era, which leaves me with a soft spot for Xanadu — a movie so critically dismissed upon release that it helped inspire the creation of the Golden Raspberry Awards (with director Robert Greenwald taking home the inaugural worst director honor).
4K Video and Audio Review
Viewers are treated to a vivid and highly saturated 4K digital remaster sourced from the original camera negative and graded for high dynamic range.
The presentation immediately impresses with the film’s opening sequence, where glowing neon outlines and trailing light effects bring the Muses to life as they emerge from a mural.
Visually, several standout moments benefit from the upgraded resolution, including Don Bluth’s animated sequence featuring Sonny and Kira transformed into birds and fish during “Don’t Walk Away,” as well as the film’s extended finale — a nearly 15-minute spectacle of roller skating, disco dancing, tightrope walking and candy-colored 1980s excess.
Unfortunately, the remaster remains inconsistent throughout. Heavy grain, occasional softness, visible blemishes and even sporadic scratches persist, which is surprising given modern restoration capabilities.
That said, after viewing the included Blu-ray version — which looks significantly worse — it becomes clear the restoration team faced a considerable challenge working with the source material.
Bonus Features
Kino Lorber delivers an impressive array of extras, highlighted by four optional commentary tracks on the 4K disc that thoroughly examine both the production and the film’s legacy.
The most essential is an in-depth discussion featuring director Robert Greenwald, interviewed by Kino Lorber producer Douglas Hosdale as the two watch the film together.
Greenwald offers a steady stream of recollections, covering his career, the film’s origins — notably developed without a completed script — and extensive pre-production and location scouting.
He also discusses casting decisions, working with the easygoing Newton-John and the more demanding Gene Kelly, the blending of 1940s and 1980s musical styles and even small but telling details, such as Newton-John’s push to incorporate legwarmers — a fashion choice that would soon become a cultural phenomenon.
A second commentary from filmmaker Jennifer Clymer and Mondo Digital’s Nathaniel Thompson takes a more lighthearted approach. Openly declaring themselves “cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs” about the film, they defend Xanadu as an underrated work while analyzing its strengths, weaknesses and role as a time capsule of 1980s Los Angeles fashion and architecture.
Film historians David Del Valle and Krystov Charles provide a third track packed with trivia and anecdotes, including Beck’s now-famous remark that The Warriors “opened the door” for his career while Xanadu “closed it.”
They also note behind-the-scenes details such as one of the Muses being a former Gold Digger dancer on The Dean Martin Show and Newton-John’s Melrose Avenue boutique, Koala Blue.
The fourth commentary, from historian Samm Deighan, offers a more measured analysis, balancing the film’s strengths and shortcomings while diving deeply into the cast and crew, including Kelly’s legendary dance background and Greenwald’s broader career.
On the included Blu-ray disc, viewers will also find a 27-minute retrospective from 2009 featuring interviews with Greenwald, Bluth, writers Marc Reid Rubel and Richard Danus, producer Larry Gordon, members of The Tubes, costume designer Bobbie Mannix, choreographer Kenny Ortega, actress Sandahl Bergman and even Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia.
The retrospective sheds light on production challenges, including the absence of a finished script, the use of local dance talent and Kelly’s initial reluctance to dance — a hesitation he ultimately overcame.
After watching the retrospective, it becomes easier to appreciate Xanadu for what it is: a flawed but undeniably fun production fueled by a talented cast and crew clearly enjoying the creative process.
Should You Buy the Xanadu 4K Disc?
For home theater collectors and fans of Olivia Newton-John, Xanadu offers a colorful and often visually striking 4K presentation that highlights the film’s musical numbers and neon-infused fantasy sequences.
While the restoration shows its limitations due to the condition of the original source material, the upgrade still delivers improved clarity and vibrancy compared to previous releases.
Ultimately, this release is best suited for fans of the film’s iconic soundtrack, collectors of cult cinema and viewers who appreciate its unique blend of disco-era spectacle and nostalgic charm.
