Bound is still the Wachowskis’ best movie and that’s no knock on The Matrix or Speed Racer. It’s just that good. It’s a lean story where skilled criminals manipulate basic human insecurities effectively, with an unpredictable setback or two. So having it in the Criterion Collection is monumental for recognizing it.
Because Bound was their then-modern film noir, the noir influence shows great deep shadows in the new 4K UHD transfer, the black leather Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly wear also.
For contrast, the bright red blood against the white bathroom tile and white paint bookends the noir in colorful violence.
There are some surround sound swooshes in the rears.
Criterion important bonus features from the last Blu-ray release, which must have been before both Lana and Lilly’s transitions because they refer to their dead names and I’m sure they wouldn’t as soon as they came out. Of course the DVD commentary still has the Wachowskis referring to themselves by those names.
Those are still good, thorough recollections including Linda Hamilton’s near casting and the back and forth between Corky and Violet roles.
A 2018 gender studies analysis is new to me. That and Criterion’s new Christina Newland video essay points out symbolism even I didn’t get, with pipes and recepticals, wet hands and all. Newland also goes into the camera technique between the two neighboring apartments.