The 1980s seem to have an unfair advantage when it comes to cult classics – it's a decade filled to the brim with films that define their genres and revolutionised cinematic storytelling to get us to where we are today. However, when you think of the classics, films like Footloose, Robocop, Blade Runner and (of course, the most relevant to this review) Dirty Dancing spring to mind. Road House hasn't had quite the same cultural impact as some of its brethren in the decade. To be fair, it's certainly become more relevant recently with a popular episode of Family Guy seeing it's main character, Peter Griffin, discover the film and start to recreate it in a suitably comedic fashion, as well as Doug Liman's recent remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Nevertheless, Road House‘s somewhat shy fanbase comes as a surprise when you consider that it tackles very popular themes. There's the morals of violence and revenge, the evils of capitalism and, some may say, toxic masculinity – though this is undermined slightly by the film's treatment of its female characters who are mostly there to be ogled at or bossed about.

When you look at it from a surface level, though, you can see why less people talk about it compared to The Terminator and The Thing. It follows the cliched storyline of a tough loner who's hired to sort out a dive bar in Tennessee that's had its fair share of troublemakers ruining its reputation. Patrick Swayze's James Dalton does his best to cut the weeds of the establishment, but eventually the town's local land owner and millionaire Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara) hears about the changes that Dalton's making and doesn't like it. This causes a domino effect of actions, reactions and life changing moments for many of its characters.

The story is very much that of a neo-western – the same circumstances could most likely befall the likes of Clint Eastwood in a western. Although the film's downfall, so to speak, is its protagonist's profession. Dalton is a bouncer and as jobs that usually require violence go, club bouncer has to be one of the least cinematic, considering that they'll only ever have to fight drunk bar patrons (and really if they're doing their job right, they shouldn't even need to do that).

Road House constantly gives Dalton a reason to use violence, despite his insistence on “being nice,” It's an environment that wouldn't necessarily always require it and the plot goes down a considerably extreme path that's quite a jump from bar brawls. Nevertheless, it does have that 80s cool guy aura and Patrick Swayze brings a charm to the role that's thoroughly entertaining. He's a more acrobatic Eastwood – violence to him is more like a dance move than the ugly activity it really is. Though when the violence gets too much and Dalton realises he's gone too far, he suitably dials it back and reflects on his unchangeable actions.

The script isn't perfect, the story goes exactly the way you'd expect, but Road House tackles interesting themes, has great fight scenes and it's very satisfactory to watch dedicated troublemakers get shown the door. It's not the most cinematic 80s classic, but it certainly deserves its place as a cornerstone of the filmmaking style of the decade and is an ode to the charming leading man we didn't see enough of in Patrick Swayze.

4K Ultra HD Limited Edition Contents

4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original lossless stereo and DTS-HD 5.1 surround audio options
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Mark Bell
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Mark Bell
Double Deuce coaster
Collector's booklet featuring original production notes

4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Features and Extras

Audio commentary with director Rowdy Herrington
Audio commentary with Road House fans Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier
‘I Thought You'd Be Bigger': The Making of Road House, a making-of documentary
A Conversation with Director Rowdy Herrington, an interview with the director about the genesis and making of the film
‘Pretty Good for a Blind White Boy': The Music of Road House, a featurette on Michael Kamen's score and blues musician Jeff Healey's performance in the film
Remembering Patrick Swayze, a tribute to Road House's iconic lead actor
On the Road House, a featurette where cast and crew members look back on the film's success
Patrick Swayze Profile featurette
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery
I Did It My Way, an interview with second unit director and stunt coordinator Charlie Picerni
Henchman #2, an interview with actor and stuntman Anthony De Longis
Blonde Ambitions, an interview with actor Laura Lee Kasten
Fightin' Man, an interview with actor Roger Hewlett
Ain't Nothing Gonna Kill Me but Me, an interview with actor Travis McKenna
Pain Don't Hurt: The Stunts of Road House, a featurette on the stunts seen in the film
What Would Dalton Do?, a featurette where professional bouncers show their appreciation for the film
Selected interview soundbites
On the Set, archival behind-the-scenes footage