The Collection Blu-ray Review

"The Collection" is showcased with a top-tier 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode, retaining the original 2.34:1 aspect ratio. This high-definition transfer is remarkably detailed, making the graphic violence and gore intensely vivid, which may be overwhelming for the faint-hearted. The colors are exceptionally saturated with fine details like stitches in clothing and facial textures revealed meticulously. The contrast and crisp whites ensure excellent visibility in the dark, grimy settings of the killer’s lair, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Black levels are deep and rich, with strong shadow delineation that allows even the smallest objects to be discerned in dimly lit scenes.

Fine detail is a highlight, as architectural lines and textures in the killer’s environment appear razor-sharp. Blood stains, grime, and worn surfaces are clearly visible, contributing to the immersive atmosphere. The ultra-fine grain layer present throughout provides this Blu-ray with a cinematic quality. Despite a limited overall palette, primary colors such as reds are vibrant, while secondary hues remain bold and full-bodied. The image maintains sharpness and precision with minimal stability issues in close-cropped patterns, and importantly, no noticeable artifacts.

This exceptional high-definition presentation captures every gruesome detail with startling clarity, ensuring that fans of horror will appreciate the meticulous attention to visual fidelity. The strong performance in dark scenes significantly raises the tension, making every shadowy sequence palpable and suspenseful.

"The Collection" arrives with a boisterous DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that offers consistent immersion and dynamic surround activity. This audio presentation excels, particularly in its varied ambient effects, from the energetic dance hall at the film’s start to the eerie, isolated spaces of the abandoned hotel. Dialogue is presented with pristine clarity, while the gruesome death sequences benefit from excellently articulated discrete channelization, enhancing the horror experience with realistic sound effects. The mix exhibits outstanding fidelity and a wide dynamic range, providing an engaging auditory backdrop to the film's scenes.

The front-heavy mix spreads action and music across the three main channels, creating a wide and expansive soundstage. Off-screen effects and well-balanced separation contribute to flawless panning and directionality. The dynamic range impresses with rich clarity in mid-tones and clear distinction in the higher frequencies. This precise audio detailing makes intense scenes effectively bone-chilling. With a robust low-end, the music and action sequences are imbued with weight and authority, while vocals remain intelligible and prioritized.

Rear channel activity significantly enhances the atmospheric depth of the mix. Partygoers' cheers in the dance club scenes fill the room with lively energy, while sinister sound effects like overhead deadly contraptions and distant noises in the killer's home add suspense and terror. Overall, this first-rate lossless mix delivers an immersive and thrilling audio experience that fans of "The Collection" will thoroughly enjoy.

The Blu Ray extras for "The Collection" provide a comprehensive exploration of the film's production, highlighted by an informative yet occasionally tiresome commentary by Director/Writer Marcus Dunstan and Writer Patrick Melton. Despite their enthusiasm, which verges on excessive at times, their commentary does offer valuable insights into the creative process and production challenges. The featurettes present detailed interviews and behind-the-scenes footage that celebrate the contributions of the makeup, special effects, and production design teams. Additional alternate scenes and a theatrical trailer round out this robust offering.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director/Writer Marcus Dunstan and Writer Patrick Melton: Chatty but informative commentary on the film's production.
• Alternate Scenes: Extended/deleted sequences: Getting to Know Dre, Picking His Disguise, and 8 MM.
• A Director's Vision: Interviews about the director's enthusiasm and personality.
• Makeup and Effects of 'The Collection': Highlights the work of designer Gary J. Tunnicliffe.
• Production Design: Discusses the design efforts of Graham Grace Walker.
• Special Effects of 'The Collection': Focus on special effects supervisor Tim Walkey and the opening rave scene.
• Stunts of 'The Collection': Featuring stunt coordinator Hiro Koda.
• Theatrical Trailer: The film’s promotional trailer.

"The Collection" continues the grim narrative established in its predecessor, "The Collector." Helmed by Marcus Dunstan, known for his work on the "Saw" series, this sequel firmly plants itself within the torture-porn subgenre, aiming to satiate fans with a predilection for high body counts and grisly visuals. The film opens on a shockingly brutal note with a massacre at a nightclub, where numerous partygoers meet their demise through various ingenious and gruesome contraptions. This initial sequence sets an intense pace that the rest of the film struggles to maintain. The plot, though serviceable, marches predictably through familiar territories of rescue missions and booby-trapped lairs, with stereotypical characters meeting their ends in ever-creative ways.

While the film excels in staging elaborate death scenes, its reliance on visceral spectacle often overshadows character depth. Josh Stewart’s return as Arkin provides a semblance of continuity and hope for character development. However, this is quickly undermined by repeated tropes and lackluster writing. The rescue mission led by Lee Tergesen suffers from one-dimensional characterization, rendering the mercenaries as mere fodder to the antagonist's sadistic ingenuity. Emma Fitzpatrick as Elena is given a potentially intriguing trait—a hearing aid—that remains disappointingly underutilized throughout the narrative.

Dunstan’s direction is competent, with the film’s production design standing out as a macabre highlight, echoing the complex traps and sets reminiscent of the "Saw" series. Unfortunately, these elements alone do not salvage "The Collection" from feeling like a derivative and templated endeavor. The most commendable aspect is perhaps its occasional dark humor which fleetingly lightens the overwhelmingly grim proceedings. Ultimately, "The Collection" panders to a niche audience that values grotesque entertainment over substantive horror. It’s viscerally effective but lacks the subtlety or emotional engagement to elevate it beyond a blood-soaked rehash of its genre's more iconic predecessors.

"The Collection" is a 2012 horror film that serves as a sequel to the 2009 movie "The Collector." While the sequel builds upon the gruesome aesthetic established by its predecessor, it leans heavily on the torture-porn subgenre, often sacrificing narrative depth for visceral impact. Despite its inclination towards excessive violence and rehashed elements seen in the "Saw" franchise, the film does deliver a handful of genuine scares and suspenseful moments that may appeal to devoted fans of horror.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray presentation of "The Collection" is outstanding. The video quality is exceptional, offering crisp, detailed imagery that enhances the film's dark and gritty atmosphere. The audio track is equally impressive, providing a clear and immersive sound experience that complements the visual terror on screen. Additionally, the Blu-ray features a decent array of special features including behind-the-scenes content, providing some added value for enthusiasts who appreciate extra content.

As stated above, genre fans are probably going to love this release, though my hunch is some of the more forthcoming fans might be willing to admit that this film is a pretty rote rehash of at least some elements in the Saw franchise. There are undeniable scares to be found in "The Collection," and this Blu-ray looks and sounds spectacular. But I for one wish someone could reinvent the horror genre without revisiting so many tired ideas, and so much gratuitous violence and mayhem. To younger filmmakers who insist on throwing everything imaginable at the screen to see how much gore sticks, I would simply offer the age-old mantra: less is more.