Land of the Dead

"Land of the Dead" lumbers onto Blu-ray with a commendable 1080p transfer in the film's original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Utilizing the VC-1 codec, this release mirrors its HD predecessor in terms of quality, presenting a clean and blemish-free print. The video quality shines with well-preserved details and color representation, notably the blood red hues which stand out without bleeding, despite slightly muted tones in darker scenes. Contrast is generally strong, especially in nighttime sequences and darker interiors, though blacks aren't as deep as one might expect from a top-tier Blu-ray, slightly affecting the overall sense of depth.

The presentation excels in clarity and detail, capturing the gritty texture of the post-apocalyptic world George Romero envisions. From the worn vehicles to the intricately depicted gore, the transfer does justice to Romero's detailed practical effects, ensuring each ghastly element is visible. Grain is minimal, preserving the filmic look without overpowering the image. However, flesh tones can occasionally veer towards the unnatural, and certain dark scenes exhibit a minor lack of depth with hints of gray in what should be pure black areas.

Technically, this release is free from common video artefacts such as blocking or banding, testament to a well-executed encoding process. The color palette is handled with care, rendering the nocturnal blues and oranges with vibrancy, contributing to the atmospheric settings Romero is known for. While the Blu-ray may not represent a monumental upgrade over previous versions, especially the HD DVD release, it still offers a solid high-definition experience that respects the source material and provides fans a satisfactory visual enhancement over standard DVD editions. This release, while not flawless, markedly improves upon its predecessors by maintaining clear visuals even in its darkest scenes, crucial for a horror film's ambiance.

The Blu Ray audio presentation of "Land of the Dead" has seen a notable upgrade with its transition to a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, moving away from the previously utilized Dolby Digital Plus. This shift enhances the overall experience, providing a richer, fuller sound that significantly improves upon the earlier version's delivery. The upgrade articulates more definitive, detailed ambient sounds, especially noticeable in scenes filled with carnival ambiance and urban excursions for supplies. This newer audio track brings a widened frontal stage and an enriched surround sound experience that immerses viewers in a more defined and vibrant sound environment, making every gunfire, motorcycle rev, and explosion feel profoundly more impactful and engaging.

Dialogue clarity is another aspect where this DTS-HD MA track excels, ensuring that spoken words remain crisp and natural amidst the chaotic backdrop of action sequences. The improvements extend to the handling of higher tones, which now exhibit fewer issues related to clipping, presenting a more balanced and pleasing auditory experience. The soundtrack's dynamics, from its dread-inducing score to bass-heavy moments and atmospheric effects, are rendered with exceptional fidelity, enhancing the film's immersive quality. Even with its more action-oriented approach, the audio presentation manages to maintain a terrifying atmosphere through effective and natural usage of surround sound.

However, it's important to temper expectations slightly as some reviews suggest the upgraded track isn't a monumental leap over its predecessor. While delivering marginally improved directionality and punch in dynamic range, especially in scenes heavy with discrete effects from gunfire and explosions, the high-end can still feel somewhat constrained and the much-vaunted score struggles to significantly mark its presence. Nonetheless, the DTS-HD MA track represents a polished, clean audio experience that admirably serves the film's blend of action and horror elements without major flaws. Dialogue and low bass are competently handled, rounding out an audio presentation that, while not groundbreaking, satisfactorily enhances "Land of the Dead" for aficionados seeking an enriched listening experience.

The "Land of the Dead" Blu-ray extras provide a mix of enriching and underwhelming content, catering to hardcore fans while leaving some areas ripe for improvement. The commentary track, featuring insights from director George A. Romero, producer Peter Grunwald, and editor Michael Doherty, although occasionally flat, offers valuable discussions on zombie lore and the film's thematic elements. Notably, the U-Control feature stands out by blending behind-the-scenes content with the viewing experience, elevating the interactivity of extras. "When Shaun Met George" offers a delightful anecdote, showcasing the fanboy journey of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright into Romero's zombie world. However, some features such as "The Remaining Bits" and "Scream Tests: Zombie Casting Call" lean towards being filler content. Overall, while certain extras like "Zombie Effects: From Green Screen to Finished Scene" enrich the understanding of the film's production, the commentary's lackluster delivery and some uninspired segments slightly mar an otherwise engaging collection.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring George A. Romero, Peter Grunwald, and Michael Doherty discussing various aspects of the film.
• U-Control: Interactive feature providing behind-the-scenes insights at specific moments of the film.
• The Remaining Bits: A compilation of deleted scenes.
• When Shaun Met George: Documenting Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright's cameo experiences.
• Scenes of Carnage: A montage of the film's most gruesome scenes.
• Zombie Effects: From Green Screen to Finished Scene: Before and after special effects showcase.
• Bringing Storyboards to Life: Comparison of storyboards to final scenes.
• Scream Tests: Zombie Casting Call: CGI animated zombie dance sequence.

George A. Romero's "Land of the Dead" marks a noteworthy evolution in the revered director's iconic zombie franchise, delivering a blend of social commentary and undead terror that had long been anticipated by fans. This fourth installment, arriving two decades after "Day of the Dead", saw Romero command a significantly larger budget, allowing for a broader scope both in narrative and production scale. Unlike its predecessors that largely focused on isolated survivor groups, "Land of the Dead" introduces audiences to a semblance of society persevering within a walled city, Fiddler's Green, amidst the never-ending threat of zombies. As Romero adeptly expands his apocalyptic vision, the film benefits from enhanced special effects, more recognizable actors, and dynamic set pieces, yet it struggles to fully recapture the sharp satire and dark humor that characterized early entries in the series.

The narrative thrust of "Land of the Dead" is propelled by human drama and political allegory as much as by its horror elements. Characters like Riley (Simon Baker) and Cholo (John Leguizamo) navigate a divided world of haves and have-nots, reflecting stark societal divisions and the corrupting influence of power and greed. Meanwhile, the undead outside the city's barriers exhibit increasing signs of intellect and cooperation, a continuation of Romero's fascination with the evolution of zombie sentience. This nuanced portrayal of zombies, coupled with the film's elaborate action sequences, underscores a lingering question: who poses a greater threat to humanity’s remnants - the dead outside or the living within?

Despite its ambitions and polished presentation, "Land of the Dead" has garnered mixed reactions for its pacing and perceived heavy-handedness in messaging, particularly compared to its predecessors and contemporary zombie films that have arguably surpassed it in both innovation and social critique. Yet, for enthusiasts of Romero’s work and the zombie genre at large, it remains a compelling chapter that expands the lore with its speculative take on civilization’s persistence amidst apocalypse. While not universally acclaimed as its forebears, "Land of the Dead" exemplifies Romero’s enduring legacy in pushing boundaries and provoking thought through the lens of horror.

"Land of the Dead" presents itself as a middle entry in George Romero's renowned Zombie saga that, although not achieving the iconic status of "Night of the Living Dead" or the satirical sharpness of "Dawn of the Dead," manages to stand out from the lackluster "Day of the Dead." This edition on Blu-ray offers a commendable video and audio presentation, boasting a solid video transfer paired with a delectable lossless soundtrack that showcases the capabilities of the Blu-ray format without necessarily pushing its boundaries. The disc is equipped with a range of supplemental materials including repurposed extras into a Picture-in-Picture (PIP) track, ensuring that enthusiasts who previously invested in the HD DVD release miss out on nothing. The performance of actors, while carrying the film adequately, leaves some room for desire, highlighting Denis Hopper without providing substantial depth to his character.

The film's portrayal as a post-apocalyptic world interspersed with evolved zombies draws a mixed response, hinting at moments of brilliance that reminisce but ultimately fail to capitalize on Romero’s earlier ingenuity. Despite these narrative shortcomings, "Land of the Dead" merits attention as part of the broader Romero oeuvre, offering plenty for die-hard fans and sufficient gore and action for casual viewers. Its financial and technical investment is evident in the production quality, making it a noteworthy, if not essential, addition to horror and zombie film collections.

In conclusion, "Land of the Dead" on Blu-ray finds itself as an essential acquisition for aficionados of Romero's work and the undead genre, bolstered by high-quality audiovisuals and a suite of extra features. While it may not herald Romero's finest hour, it distinctly surpasses many non-Romero zombie flicks, securing its niche within the horror genre. For prospective buyers, this release is undoubtedly worth adding to their collection, whereas others might first opt for a rental to gauge its appeal against personal preference.