Tremors Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's Blu-ray presentation of "Tremors" thoroughly revitalizes this beloved film, offering a marked improvement over the previous Universal release. The new AVC encoded 1080p transfer, framed at its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, delivers an impressive filmic experience. A 4K scan from the original camera negative, overseen by director Ron Underwood and cinematographer Alexander Gruszyanski, lays the foundation for this meticulous restoration. The natural film grain is finely rendered, lending the image an organic quality and avoiding the harsh digitization that marred the earlier release. The color palette remains naturally suffused, with a slight earthy enhancement that improves skin tones and overall contrast. Despite some minor softer shots and occasional spikes in grain, the transfer maintains excellent detail levels throughout, ensuring superior clarity and stability.

Furthermore, the Arrow Video release exhibits a more controlled contrast and a clean, stable image with few to no signs of damage like scratches or dirt. This Blu-ray master stays true not only to the film's original visual intent but also amplifies it with greater fidelity in rendering textures and colors. Especially notable are the substantial improvements in shadow detail and black levels, helping to present a more authentic visual experience. Although certain underground shots (POV scenes) display minor downgrades in clarity similar to the Universal version, such moments are infrequent and do not detract from the overall quality.

In conclusion, Arrow's meticulous restoration of "Tremors" ensures that this Blu-ray presentation reaches near-peak visual performance for a 1080p format. It masterfully blends high-fidelity detail with a pleasingly natural aesthetic, making for an undeniable upgrade from the previous high-contrast, soft Universal Blu-ray. This release stands as the definitive home video edition for fans and collectors alike.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Tremors" is available in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, 4.0, and 5.1 tracks, each offering distinctively tailored experiences. The three tracks cater to various preferences with the 5.1 mix providing rich, immersive sound effects and detailed channel separation. This remix notably lacks the excessive volume that plagued previous releases, instead offering well-balanced audio without overpowering LFE. The 4.0 track excels in delivering a spacious and atmospheric surround experience, housing music and ambient sounds primarily in the rear channels. The 2.0 track maintains the original theatrical stereo integrity with compact yet impactful sound delivery.

Dialogue across all tracks is presented with exceptional clarity, ensuring intelligibility without overshadowing sound effects or the combined music scores by Ernest Troost and Robert Folk. Panning effects are executed effectively in the 4.0 and 5.1 tracks, delivering engaging multi-directional soundscapes, particularly evident in outdoor scenes. The recordings are commendably free of analog hiss, crackles, dropouts, or distortions, providing a pristine listening experience across all three formats.

Overall, this Blu-ray edition's audio tracks represent "Tremors" with unprecedented fidelity and a richer sonic environment than ever before. The optional English SDH subtitles offer added accessibility. This release marks a definitive audio upgrade over prior versions, perfect for both casual viewers and audiophiles seeking high-quality home cinema experiences.

The Blu-ray edition of "Tremors" delivers a comprehensive collection of extras that will captivate both fans and newcomers. Featuring newly recorded commentaries by the film’s creators and author Jonathan Melville, viewers gain rich, behind-the-scenes insights. The “Making Perfection” documentary stands out with interviews from key figures like Kevin Bacon and Michael Gross. Other supplements include in-depth conversations on cinematography, special effects, and scoring, alongside archival material capturing the making of the film. Unique features such as a gag reel, network TV overdubs, and a variety of trailers and promos enrich this well-curated package, housed in a limited edition slipbox with additional collectibles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Ron Underwood, Brent Maddock & S.S. Wilson: A newly recorded audio track.
• Commentary by Jonathan Melville: In-depth analysis by the author.
• Making Perfection: Documentary featuring new interviews.
• The Truth About Tremors: Interview with Nancy Roberts.
• Bad Vibrations: Interview with Alexander Gruszynski.
• Aftershocks and Other Rumblings: Interview with Ellen Collett.
• Digging the Dirt: The Visual Effects of Tremors: Featurette on special effects.
• Music for Graboids: Discussions on the film’s score.
• The Making of Tremors: Archival documentary from 1996.
• Creature Featurette: Camcorder snippets of Graboid construction.
• Deleted Scenes: Deleted content from the film.
• Pardon My French!: Compilation of network TV overdubs.
• Electronic Press Kit: Original promotional featurettes and profiles.
• Trailer Gallery: Original trailers and promo spots.
• Image Galleries: Stills, behind-the-scenes shots, storyboards.

"Tremors," released in 1990, initially seemed like a minor event in the world of cinema. Yet, this blend of comedy, horror, and monster movie elements—anchored by Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward's stellar performances—quickly grew into a cult classic, spawning six sequels and a TV series. Directed by Ron Underwood and featuring inventive creature design by Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff Jr., the Graboids’ practical effects stand out, skillfully implemented before the CGI revolution of "Jurassic Park." This film manages to deliver a throwback to 1950s creature features with a modern twist, combining humor, suspense, and action in a seamless and highly entertaining way.

The plot centers around handymen Val (Bacon) and Earl (Ward) who, along with a local survivalist (Michael Gross) and a graduate student (Finn Carter), must battle subterranean monsters threatening the small town of Perfection. The ensemble cast—including Reba McEntire in her film debut—delivers spirited performances that elevate the film's buoyant pace and engaging story. Notably, Gross’ portrayal of Burt Gummer has become a defining role, carried through every subsequent entry in the franchise.

The Blu-ray reissues—particularly the one from Arrow—are notable for their upgraded 1080p and 4K UHD transfers, providing fans with a much-desired visual overhaul from the original Blu-ray. This latest edition remedies past grievances with previous HD renderings and ensures that the practical effects and atmospheric details are vividly conveyed. While some may miss not having a dual-format option, the excellent presentation alone makes this release an essential addition for enthusiasts of creature-feature classics and practical effects-driven storytelling.

Arrow’s Blu-ray release of "Tremors" stands out as an exemplary edition, demonstrating their prowess in delivering high-quality home media. This two-disc set features a superb HD transfer, showcasing an impeccable restoration of the cult classic. The technical merits are first rate, with a crisp and vibrant visual presentation accompanied by a robust and finely detailed audio track. Enthusiasts will appreciate the array of supplements, which includes archival featurettes, rarely seen outtake footage, and early short films by the filmmakers. This comprehensive package ensures "Tremors" is presented in the best possible light for both new viewers and long-time fans.

Housed within a standard black Amaray case, the set is adorned with double-sided artwork and includes several unique extras: a business card for Walter Chang’s Market, 6 lobby card reproductions, and two double-sided posters featuring both original and new artwork, as well as an anatomy diagram of a Graboid. Furthermore, a 60-page insert booklet is provided, featuring insightful essays, original press kit content, and franchise evolution details, all encapsulated within a sturdy cardboard slipcase with new artwork. These tactile inclusions significantly enhance the overall package, catering to collectors and aficionados alike.

Overall, "Tremors" is exactly the kind of release Arrow tends to excel at. With its first-class technical presentation and an impressive array of bonus materials, including significant non-disc swag, this release caters to both dedicated fans and newcomers. Arrow’s meticulous attention to detail has produced what might be the definitive edition of this beloved film. Highly recommended for anyone looking to delve into the "Tremors" legacy with a versatile and enriching set.