Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation" by Shout Factory is an intriguing but technically inconsistent package, presenting both the Theatrical and Director's Cuts. The Theatrical Cut, encoded in MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p resolution and a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, offers an acceptable but far from pristine viewing experience. The HD transfer shows its age with soft definition and instances of visual murkiness. Colors are generally passable, with vibrant hues like Darla's purple suit standing out, though reds can appear overly saturated. Shadow delineation and black levels are inconsistent, often leading to crushed blacks and weak shadow detail. The grain structure emphasizes a film-like appearance, yet can become blocky and intrusive in certain sequences.

In contrast, the Director's Cut attempts to restore six additional minutes of footage, albeit with a mix of HD and standard-definition content. Unlike the fully HD Theatrical Cut, the Director’s Cut integrates these SD elements in an effort to maintain visual coherence, though the transitions between resolutions are evident and somewhat disruptive. The HD elements in the Director's Cut exhibit similar characteristics as the Theatrical Cut—soft details, periodic judder, and speckling. The use of an older HD master renders details erratic, with depths appearing marginally flat but maintaining satisfactory clarity in close-ups. Skin tones across both cuts are mostly accurate and stable.

Shout Factory's attempt to present a comprehensive Blu-ray package reveals notable limitations inherent in the available source materials. While there are sporadic moments of compelling detail and color reproduction, these are often overshadowed by inconsistencies in sharpness and depth, transitioning from HD to SD footage in the Director's Cut being the most glaring issue. Nevertheless, both versions maintain a watchable quality, albeit with noticeable technical caveats that underscore the aged nature of the film elements used.

The "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation" Blu-ray offers an English 2.0 DTS-HD MA audio mix that, while serviceable, does not exceed expectations. Dialogue remains clean and clear, maintaining intelligibility even amid the film's wild and chaotic moments. The mix adequately captures the different sound effects, from gunshots to Vilmer's ever-present hydraulic leg. However, the chainsaw's roar, a pivotal sound in the film, lacks the expected impact and fails to deliver the menacing audio experience that fans of the genre might hope for.

The auditory experience is generally well-managed, with sound effects like shattered glass and crashes supporting the on-screen action effectively. Wayne Bell and Robert Jacks' score sustains the energy throughout the film but does not exhibit exceptional clarity or authority, especially noticeable in the alternative rock hits. The mix also demonstrates decent dynamics and fidelity, although age-related production limitations slightly mute the soundtrack. Despite these constraints, the audio presentation remains acceptable, delivering a consistent but rather subdued listening experience that aligns well with the film's chaotic narrative. Optional English SDH subtitles are also available and function reliably.

The Blu-ray release of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation" by Scream Factory delivers a commendable array of extras, compensating for the absence of notable cast mentions due to apparent agent interferences. The disc showcases in-depth interviews and a well-rounded audio commentary illuminating the complexities behind the film’s production. Noteworthy inclusions involve cinematographer Levie Isaacks detailing the budgetary and climatic challenges, actor Tyler Shea Cone recounting the grueling shoot environment, and special makeup effects tech J.M. Logan alongside production designer Deborah Pastor providing candid insights on their involvement. Although the director’s cut features minimal additional content, it enhances coherence. Unfortunately, some advertised features like the Still Gallery and Behind-the-Scenes Footage are missing, yet the provided extras remain notable for their comprehensive coverage and engaging perspectives.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: With Director Kim Henkel (Director’s Cut only).
• The Buzz Is Back: Interview with Director of Photography Levie Isaacks.
• Marked For Death: Interview with actor Tyler Shea Cone.
• If Looks Could Kill: Interviews with special makeup effects artist J.M. Logan and production designer Deborah Pastor.
• Trailer: Titled "The Return of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation is a peculiar entry in the franchise, directed and written by Kim Hinkel, co-writer of the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Starring future stars Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey, the film attempts to return to the series' roots but instead delivers a bizarre mix of horror and unintended comedy. The plot follows four prom-goers who crash in rural Texas and encounter the sadistic Vilmer (McConaughey) and the dysfunctional Slaughter family, including Leatherface. McConaughey's unhinged performance is a standout, though it often overshadows a lackluster and oddly feminine Leatherface portrayal.

Hinkel’s directorial ambitions falter with a screenplay that recycles elements from the original film without adding significant innovation. While there are nods to iconic moments like victims on meat hooks and frantic escape attempts, these callbacks lack the menace of the original. Instead, the narrative veers into unexpected territory with the introduction of obscure characters like Rothman, contributing to an incoherent and truncated third act. Contributing further to the chaotic energy is Vilmer's mechanical leg, operated by a television remote, symbolizing the outlandishness that permeates the film.

The movie is available in both a Theatrical Cut (87:18) and a Director’s Cut (93:18), with minor differences in backstory providing slight clarity to Jenny's character. Though widely panned for its contrived plotting and poor execution, The Next Generation retains a cult following primarily for its off-the-wall elements and McConaughey’s theatrical villainy. However, longstanding fans will likely find this iteration of Leatherface and the overall tone disappointing compared to its predecessors. This installment struggles to find balance between horror and humor, leaving it as more an oddity than a worthy continuation of the Chainsaw legacy.

"Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation" is a peculiar entry in the storied franchise, straddling the line between remake and sequel with mixed results. The film's notoriety is largely anchored by early performances from Renee Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey. Though not the strongest installment, McConaughey's portrayal of a deranged antagonist is captivating and stands out as a highlight. Director Kim Henkel's approach emphasizes chaos and grotesque elements, but unfortunately, these scattershot techniques and lack of coherent narrative detract from the overall impact. While bizarre settings and intense family altercations provide some fleeting interest, the movie quickly loses momentum and originality.

Scream Factory's Collector’s Edition Blu-ray offers a commendable package for die-hard fans, featuring both the theatrical and director's cuts. The A/V presentation is solid, with a noticeable improvement in audio quality, and the disc is enriched with an array of bonus features such as new interviews and behind-the-scenes content. Despite the technical merits of this release, the fundamental flaws of the movie remain unchanged. Henkel's gamble on relentless madness falls short of delivering meaningful horror, instead leaving viewers with a haphazard assortment of scenes that lack cohesion.

In conclusion, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation" provides some curio value due to its cast and McConaughey's memorable performance. However, the film falters in delivering sustained thrills or inventive storytelling. The Blu-ray’s robust supplementary materials and decent transfer make it a worthwhile acquisition for die-hard fans, though casual viewers may find it lacking substantive merit. For Chain Saw fans, there's plenty of hectic family interplay and screaming matches. Henkel revels in the Texas rot of the gang, trying to please the faithful with grotesqueries and chases. Unfortunately, this sporadic delivery tires out the film rapidly, leaving only a superficial thrill for most audiences.