This listing is for the standard edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray. The limited edition J-card MediaBook slipcase (designed by Tony Stella) was limited to 5,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the limited edition packaging and 40-page book.
Note: this release is available to be purchased on its own, or in two different bundles:
Taking its name from the Lumière Brothers invention of the same name, Cinématographe is a new sub-label from Vinegar Syndrome that seeks to fill gaps in the canon of American cinema. Offering a mix of auteur driven studio films produced during the New Hollywood era of the late 1960s and 70s all the way through the indie boom of the 1980s and 90s, Cinématographe will explore the wide breadth of American moviemaking, spanning numerous genres and scales of production. Curated and produced by Vinegar Syndrome's Justin LaLiberty, each limited edition release will be housed in a specially designed, cloth-bound, media book with embossed foil titles and custom molded disc trays accompanied by a slipcase featuring newly commissioned art and an individually numbered J-card.
Pete and Terry Nessip (Wesley Snipes, Passenger 57; Malcolm-Jamal Warner, TV’s Malcolm & Eddie) are two U.S. Marshals escorting Earl Leedy (Michael Jeter, Miller’s Crossing), a computer criminal being transferred to a maximum security prison, when the plane they’re traveling on is hijacked by terrorists, resulting in the death of Terry and Earl’s daring escape from the law at 30,000 feet. The hijacking turns out to be the plot of ex-DEA agent turned skydiver Ty Moncrief (Gary Busey, Point Break) who plans to break into the DEA mainframe in Washington DC, with the help of Leedy, to get back at the government that failed him. Pete Nessip, looking to avenge his brother’s death and get back his prisoner, teams up with skydiving instructor Jessie Crossmann (Yancy Butler, Hard Target) to chase down Ty’s crew from the Florida Keys to Washington DC, before the fireworks go off on the 4th of July.
An inspired late-career entry in the unpredictable oeuvre of British born, but American based, New Hollywood iconoclast John Badham (Saturday Night Fever, Blue Thunder), DROP ZONE meshes Badham’s penchant for strong character work with impressive practical stunts and hand-to-hand combat, resulting in one of the better, and oft-overlooked, studio action films of the 1990s. Executive produced by Badham himself and featuring production design by Joe Alves (Escape from New York, Jaws), a thunderous score by Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer (Interstellar) and kinetic photography by Badham collaborator Roy H. Wagner (Nick of Time). Cinématographe is proud to present the world 4K UHD debut of the most action packed film in John Badham’s career, newly restored from its original camera negative.
directed by: John Badham
starring: Wesley Snipes, Gary Busey, Yancy Butler, Michael Lester, Malcolm-Jamal Warner
1994 / 101 min / 2.39:1 / English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.74184 / 5 from 337 reviews.
Drop Zone, a limited edition 4K UHD release from Vinegar Syndrome, offers a thrilling action film experience with outstanding picture quality and engaging storytelling. The special packaging and exclusive content make it a must-have for fans of 90's action movies.
Review topics: ["colors","quality","shipping","picture","cover","looks","packaging","issues","style","box","sound","work","case","upgrade","detail","buy","movie","release","film","transfer","acting","drop","extras","flick","edition","features","restoration","wesley","treatment","artwork"].
"From Director John Badham, who make some great films, Blue Thunder, War Games, Saturday Night Fever, this is another one of his fun films. Thrilling plot, well shot action scenes and some recognizable actors, in a fun mid 90’s action flick. Definitely recommended this offbeat Cinematographe release. The Tony Stella artwork is incredible, as his work always is."
"It’s like the Point Break of Skydiving without the compelling relationships or inner struggles. The set-up is a silly excuse to peer into skydiving culture — which is inherently fascinating without the computer hacking/revenge plot — and Wesley Snipes plays it fairly loose, letting his charisma carry him through most of the film. Gary Busey also seems to be enjoying himself, and Yancy Butler is believable as a skydiving instructor on parole. Anyhow, there’s a lot of macho posturing from the bad guys versus the knee-slapping misfit crew of likable character actors (including Corin Nemec and Grace Zabriskie). Overall, it’s enjoyable if forgettable, and the aerial acrobatics are genuinely thrilling to watch."
"This was a blind buy for me but any 90s action movie is bound to be good. This release does disappoint, the movie is ridiculous but in the best way. Great acting and action from the cast all around. The stunt work in this is awesome, would definitely recommend to any 90s action movie fan"
"Up there as one of the best 4k transfers in 2025, the colors in this 4k absolutely pop and just the level of detail is amazing. Must buy if u r a collector, won't be disappointed"
"I mostly enjoyed Drop Zone. I think it’s skydiving scenes impressed me more as a kid so I held the movie in high regard ever since. I wasn’t as impressed this time - but I wasn’t bored either. It’s a fine action movie to throw on one afternoon. The ending kill scene of the big bad guy is hilarious too. Packaging is nice, Tony Stella art and all"
"Had a real fun time with this movie and thought it looked and sounded great. Also enjoyed the on-disc supplements, and have a whole 2nd commentary to return to down the line. While the book started off solid, it eventually revealed itself as another frustrating Cinematographe mediabook: beyond a bit too much general repetition, there are typos, factual errors, badly edited portions (e. g. a paragraph about how Snipes failed to use his clout in Hollywood followed by "Snipes also used his clout. . . "), and a paragraph ending with a left-in "Please move this sentence to the end of the previous paragraph. " This type of thing is present in the majority of these that I've bought so far and it makes me think shelling out for the limited edition isn't worth it. It's bad enough when a flimsy insert booklet is crappy, but when it is a premium-priced mediabook from a literary-leaning sub-label, it's even more embarrassing."
"As always, wow! What an amazing release!! This action thriller is super underrated! Transfer is amazing! Glad to add to my collection! Love these book style cover art too!"
"Better action movie than i remembered. A like Point Break but even campier plot. A beautiful designed mediabook, and if this got Cinematographe treatment then I'm hoping more action movies from the 80s to get same treatment."
"I've got a soft spot for this action flick and VS has given it the deluxe treatment. This is a big upgrade over the bare bones blu ray from over a decade ago. Gary Busey goes full Busey and Snipes is charismatic as always. High quality release from VS."
"A slick, underrated 90s action ride with Wesley Snipes, Gary Busey, skydiving chaos, and big practical-stunt energy. John Badham keeps it moving, and the 4K presentation really gives the aerial stuff room to breathe. Exactly the kind of studio action title that deserves a fresh look."
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