Child's Play 3

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Child's Play 3" represents an appreciable step up from its predecessors, utilizing a HEVC H.265 encode and preserving the film's original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Shot on 35mm film using Leonetti Ultracam 35 cameras, and now remastered from the original camera negatives, the image clarity and detail have seen marked improvements. While the grain structure retains its natural filmic quality, enhanced by a more sophisticated handling in darker scenes, it's the resolution where this edition truly shines. The depth, color saturation, and overall detail bring a newfound respectability to the film's visuals. The presentation excels in conveying the textural intricacies of uniforms and the architectural richness of the school and its environs, elevating this entry beyond its home video predecessors.

Color reproduction benefits significantly from the Dolby Vision HDR grading, introducing a fuller palette and deeper tonal variation. Blacks are rendered with greater depth, contributing to an image that is both cleaner and more nuanced in its contrast and brightness balance. Specular highlights and shadows are managed with deftness, enhancing the realism of various surfaces and skin tones, which are displayed with remarkable naturalism and detail. Colors like the animated reds and energetic blues of the Good Guys outfit pop with vibrance, underlined by an improved color gradation that makes every frame sparkle with realism. Despite some moments of softness, the overall presentation captures the film’s aesthetic intentions well, providing a viewing experience that is both visually appealing and faithful to the source material.

While not without its flaws, such as occasional issues with grain resolution in darker scenes and minor artifacts, the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Child's Play 3" brings significant improvements in clarity, detail, and color reproduction over previous releases. The depth and dimensional quality of the image have been enhanced, making characters and environments feel more substantial and engaging. The Dolby Vision grade particularly shines in its ability to elevate the film’s visual dynamism, offering fans a version that stands as a testament to the capabilities of current home video technology while staying true to the film's original photographic intent.

The Dolby Atmos track of "Child’s Play 3" on 4K UHD Blu-ray delivers a robust and detailed auditory experience, further enhancing the horror dynamics of the film. The mix, well-balanced and dynamic, brings out the finer nuances of Cory Lerios and John D'Andrea's score and the environmental sounds that fill the soundtrack. The orchestration is precise, with individual instruments clear and distinguishable, adding to the immersive quality of the movie. Surround sound capabilities are employed effectively, with noticeable involvement of the overhead channels, particularly in sequences involving thunder and ambient effects, creating a comprehensive hemispheric soundfield. Dialogue remains focused and intelligible, well-prioritized amidst the action and music, though some moments experience a flatter delivery than anticipated.

The Atmos track's low-end performance, while adequate in providing depth to musical scores and certain horror elements, sometimes falls short of delivering the impactful bass expected in a modern horror film audio track. Gunfire and ambient sounds leverage the surround sound setup nicely, especially in sequences involving heightened tension or action. The additional 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio option offers a good alternative for those without a multi-channel setup, presenting a broad and full auditory experience despite its less complex arrangement. Subtitles in English SDH further enhance accessibility.

Incorporating both traditional and modern elements, the audio presentation of "Child’s Play 3" makes significant strides in bringing a richer and more engaging soundscape to home theaters. Despite some inconsistencies in low-frequency impact and occasional dialogue clarity, the mix succeeds in creating an engaging auditory environment. It meticulously balances music, effects, and vocal clarity to enrich the viewing experience, making it arguably one of the most sonically satisfying entries in the franchise's transition to UHD format.

The 4K UHD release of "Child's Play 3" significantly enhances the extras landscape over prior editions, offering a rich bounty of new content predominantly housed on the accompanying Blu-ray disc, aside from a pair of insightful commentaries accessible via the UHD disc itself. This edition marks a commendable effort by Shout/Scream Factory to delve deeper into the film's production and legacy, featuring a gamut of interviews with key players ranging from director Jack Bender and writer Don Mancini to actors and behind-the-scenes talents, all candidly reflecting on various aspects from casting challenges to production design intricacies. Particularly notable are the fresh insights into the script's development, casting anecdotes, and the film's reception, alongside some unique perspectives on the horror genre and Chucky's evolution. The inclusion of extra scenes from the TV version and traditional trailers adds a layer of completeness, further enriching this already packed extras offering.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW! Audio Commentary with Director Jack Bender: A fresh retrospective look at the film.
• NEW! Audio Commentary with Producer Robert Latham Brown: Sharing production insights.
• NEW! Ride the Frightening: An interview with writer Don Mancini on the script and reception.
• NEW! War Games: Actress Perrey Reeves talks about her role and experiences on set.
• NEW! Chucky Goes East: Producer David Kirschner discusses the franchise and film’s production.
• NEW! Carnivals and Campouts: Producer Robert Latham Brown shares behind-the-scenes stories.
• NEW! Midway Centurions: Actor Michael Chieffo on his part in the film and connections to the franchise.
• NEW! Shear Terror: Makeup Artist Craig Reardon discusses his contribution to the horror elements.
• NEW! Unholy Mountain: Production Designer Richard Sawyer talks about setting up key scenes.
• NEW! Extra Scenes from the Broadcast TV Version: Adding context with cut content.
• Theatrical Trailer & TV Spot: Classic promotional material.

Shout! Factory's release of "Child's Play 3" on 4K UHD Blu-ray brings this 1991 horror sequel into the limelight, leveraging cutting-edge 2160p/Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos audio to breathe new life into the film. Despite its history as the less celebrated offspring of the franchise, due in part to its rushed production and departure from beloved characters, there's a newfound appreciation for its attempt to innovate within its constraints. The story propels Andy Barclay into adolescence, moving the narrative into a military school setting which provides a backdrop for a darker exploration of themes like corporate greed and the commodification of childhood, encapsulated perfectly in a CEO's defense of marketing to "consumer trainees."

As the film weaves through its runtime, it’s evident that "Child's Play 3" struggles to recapture the magic of its predecessors, a challenge compounded by its rapid follow-up to "Child's Play 2." The introduction, showcasing Chucky’s revival amidst a mix of blood and plastic, remains a standout moment for its creative ingenuity. Yet, this entry in the series can't seem to fully escape the shadow of its rushed production, which manifests in a narrative that occasionally feels uninspired. Despite this, moments of well-executed dark humor and pointed commentary on military machismo punctuate the film, offering glimpses of potential amidst a sea of slasher genre conventions.

The film’s presentation benefits significantly from advancements in audiovisual technology, highlighting the meticulous care in remastering both video and audio for this release. Director Jack Bender's effort to inject vigor into the movie with a decent pace and atmospheric moments does partly mitigate its narrative shortcomings. Ultimately, "Child's Play 3" stands as a testament to the franchise's resilience, navigating through its identity crisis with a blend of splatter-y kills and thematic exploration, albeit with mixed success. This release, particularly with its plethora of bonus features, ensures that fans and newcomers alike can witness Chucky's journey with enhanced clarity and immersion, even if it's not the franchise's crowning achievement.

Child's Play 3," while not the pinnacle of horror cinema, finds redemption in its 4K UHD Blu-Ray release, which is a commendable effort by the Scream Factory. This release elevates a film often regarded as a hastily conceived sequel and possibly the franchise's weakest link, into a technologically rejuvenated masterpiece. The Dolby Vision HDR presentation and the Dolby Atmos soundtrack not only provide a significant visual and auditory improvement over previous releases but also serve as a testament to the care invested in this edition. This edition boasts an array of new extras that starkly contrasts the scant offerings of prior releases, signifying a definitive version for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The film itself, which follows the malevolent Chucky's continuous pursuit of Andy now dealing with teenage complexities, and later, young Tyler, may stumble narratively, labeled as meandering and the least compelling installment. Yet, it gains a peculiar charm with its farcical elements and a notable haunted funhouse finale, rendering it a bearable watch within its genre. The quality of the 4K transfer and the Atmos mix unequivocally lifts this episode, providing a feast for the senses that surpasses its predecessors. Recognizing the film’s role within the series' progression, this release introduces necessary excitement back into the series with vibrant video quality and an enriching array of special features and interviews.

Conclusively, "Child's Play 3" in its 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation signifies more than just an upgrade; it represents a meticulous refurbishment that breathes new life into a film that might have otherwise lingered as a franchise low-point. It's clear that this release is tailored for both die-hard franchise fans and newcomers alike, promising an experience that vastly outshines its original home video presentations. As we look forward to potential updates for the sequels, this edition sets a high standard for what fans can expect. Whether for the franchise loyal or those curious about the evolution of home video quality, this release is an essential addition to any 4K collection.