Child's Play

Shout Factory's 2019 release of "Child's Play" on 4K UHD Blu-ray has been a major talking point among cinephiles and fans of the franchise, offering a significant visual upgrade from its Blu-ray counterpart. This version presents the movie in a 2160p HEVC / H.265 encoded video with the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen, and supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR, enhancing the viewing experience with vibrant colors and deeper blacks. The transfer provides an excellent showcase of clarity, boasting improved definition that brings out the intricate textures of the grimy apartment settings and the urban nighttime scenes more vividly. Despite this, it's healthy to manage expectations as the upgrade, while notable, is not as groundbreaking as one might hope for a recent production, with occasional minor aliasing detected along sharp edges.

The Dolby Vision HDR, in particular, elevates the film’s visual appeal, rendering a color palette that's both more dynamic and faithful to the theatrical experience. This HDR grade significantly bolsters the atmospheric lighting and shadow details, ensuring that darker scenes maintain their depth without losing detail to murkiness. Spectacular highlights and deeper blacks contribute to a stunning contrast that makes scenes pop, securing an undeniably superior viewing experience over previous releases. Facial tones and textures are rendered with remarkable naturalism, reinforcing the visual fidelity of this release.

Overall, this 4K UHD rendition of "Child's Play" impresses with its utilization of HDR to enhance not only the horror but also the nuanced cinematography that defines the reboot. Despite a few minor issues and the fact it might not represent a revolutionary improvement over past editions, it unequivocally stands as the definitive version for home theaters, marrying sharpness with a rich color scheme that will delight fans and purists alike. The technical enhancements, particularly in terms of contrast and color saturation, ensure that both new audiences and longtime followers receive a fresh and immersive viewing experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Child's Play" lavishes horror fans with an auditory experience that's as meticulously crafted as it is engrossing, featuring DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound presented in 24-bit high-resolution for a lossless audio presentation that sets a paragon of clarity, depth, and engagement. Accompanied by an optional DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, the release offers versatility while maintaining audio fidelity. The surround sound mix not only showcases superb sound design but also keeps the surrounds actively engaged throughout the runtime. The score and sound effects notably benefit from an expansive soundstage, elevating the horror thriller's atmosphere with stellar sound mixing that magnifies its suspenseful and eerie ambience.

The film's narrative of home automation gone horrifyingly awry is further accentuated by the soundtrack's dynamic range. Dialogue remains crystal clear and well-prioritized amidst the audio chaos, ensuring that every word is discernable even during action-packed sequences or when the ambiance fills with subtle to intense effects that transition smoothly between channels. This clarity is maintained even at the extremes of its clean and extensive mid-range, showcasing an impressive definition and distinction.

Finally, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack shines during the movie's climactic sequences, with ambient effects seamlessly weaving into the soundscape and providing an immersive experience that envelops the listener. The utilization of Dolby Surround or DTS: Neural:X up-mixing functionality intelligently extends these atmospherics into the overhead channels, enhancing the immersion with additional layers that contribute to a broader, more captivating audio presentation. This auditory prowess not only complements the 4K visual experience but stands on its own as a substantial achievement in audio design for home theaters.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Child's Play" offers a comprehensive glimpse into the production and conceptualization of this iconic horror film, ensuring fans and newcomers alike receive a rich experience beyond the film itself. This combo pack is not only a visually superior upgrade but also an archival treasure trove, with both the 4K and Blu-ray discs presenting a new 4K restoration. Noteworthy are the engaging and insightful new interviews with key cast and crew members, including a solo audio commentary by Director Lars Klevberg that provides unique behind-the-scenes perspectives. The inclusion of meticulously crafted Lee Hardcastle Claymations adds a delightful and quirky touch to the extras. Furthermore, the supplementary material from the previous release is enhanced with additional content, making this edition particularly valuable for collectors and enthusiasts looking for an in-depth exploration of the film's creation and its enduring legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Director Lars Klevberg: Solo audio commentary providing insights into the film.
• A New Start: An interview with actor Gabriel Bateman.
• Head of the Patch: An interview with actor David James Lewis.
• A Beautiful Darkness: An extensive interview with production designer Dan Hermansen.
• The Making of Child's Play: Behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.
• Bringing Child's Play's Chucky to Life: Focus on how Chucky was brought to life for this film.
• Soundtrack Trailer: Preview of the film’s soundtrack.
• Lee Hardcastle Claymations: "Toy Massacre" and "A.I. Mayhem" claymation shorts.
• Still Gallery: Collection of 12 slides from the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer for the film.

The 4K UHD presentation of "Child's Play" (2019) offers a fresh and darkly entertaining take on the classic horror franchise, propelled by a keen exploration of artificial intelligence gone awry. Under the creative vision of director Lars Klevberg and screenwriter Tyler Burton Smith, this remake diverges from the supernatural origins of the original by centering around a high-tech Buddi doll whose AI malfunction introduces a new form of terror. Featuring standout performances by Aubrey Plaza, Gabriel Bateman, and notably Mark Hamill as the voice of Chucky, the film delivers on both character intrigue and chilling thrills. Despite some narrative elements that lean towards the absurd, the reinvention of Chucky as a symbol of consumerist critique provides a satirical edge, although it occasionally falters in execution.

Visually, the film excels with Brendan Uegama’s cinematography and Bear McCreary's score enhancing the atmospheric tension, elevating it above many modern horror counterparts with its sleek and evocative presentation. The production design and the use of practical effects alongside CGI contribute to a visually compelling experience that respects its slasher roots while venturing into new aesthetic territory. However, while the film's visual and auditory experiences impress, its attempt to weave in thematic concerns about technology's invasive reach into our lives through Chucky's AI capabilities sometimes feels like a missed opportunity for deeper commentary, bordering on heavy-handedness without fully exploiting its potential for terror or insight.

In sum, "Child's Play" (2019) succeeds most in its technical achievements and as a vibrant reimagining of a beloved horror icon, even if its narrative ambitions outpace its grasp. The performances breathe life into its characters, with Hamill's portrayal of Chucky deserving particular praise for adding depth to the killer doll. While some story decisions may leave audiences wanting, the film stands as a testament to the possibilities and pitfalls of reboots in the horror genre. It's an engaging watch that manages to invoke nostalgia while steering the murderous doll narrative into the realm of modern-day technological fears.

"Child's Play" (2019), a reboot of the classic horror franchise, presents a mixed bag in terms of storytelling and thematic execution but shines in its 4K UHD presentation. While not achieving the iconic status of its predecessor, this iteration carves out a niche by ingeniously integrating modern fears surrounding artificial intelligence. The film pivots the source of Chucky's malevolence from supernatural possession to a technological glitch, added with a commendable voice performance by Mark Hamill, breathing new life into the notorious doll. However, despite its refreshing take and substantial performances, especially by Gabriel Bateman, the film tends to falter in delivering consistent scares, meaningful satire, or the original’s dark humor, leaving it somewhat unsatisfying for traditionalists of the franchise.

The technical aspects of the 4K UHD release, on the other hand, have garnered unanimous praise. With its 2160p video presentation, it offers a significant visual upgrade over standard Blu-rays, making it a compelling purchase for fans and collectors alike. The incorporation of Dolby Vision HDR enhances the depth and vibrancy of the film's visuals, thereby elevating the viewing experience substantially. Auditory elements are not left behind, with the DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack providing an immersive soundstage that complements the on-screen action perfectly. Additionally, despite criticisms of the film's content, the inclusion of all legacy supplemental features alongside a trio of new bonus materials in the 4K release adds considerable value.

In conclusion, while "Child's Play" (2019) might divide opinion regarding its narrative and horror elements, its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation is undeniably superior, offering a visually stunning and audibly rich experience that showcases the technological strides made in home entertainment. For enthusiasts and collectors, particularly those intrigued by the intersection of horror and cutting-edge technology, this release is worth considering, albeit with tempered expectations for the film itself.