Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" on Blu-ray offers a mix of remarkable positives and noticeable drawbacks, primarily shaped by the film's unique production choices. The movie was primarily shot on 35mm film with additional scenes captured using digital Arri Alexa and Phantom Flex cameras. This blending of sources introduces a consistent graininess that, while authentic, occasionally detracts from overall sharpness. However, there are no major issues with encoding or compression, suggesting a faithful representation of the filmmakers' vision. Color grading has drawn mixed reactions, with some scenes exhibiting an overly processed look that resembles heavy Instagram filters, resulting in unnatural hues and blooming highlights. Nonetheless, closeups reveal sufficient fine detail, enhancing the viewing experience for those at normal distances.

The post-production 3D conversion is generally impressive given its non-native origin. Although some shots feel flat and characters occasionally appear as cardboard cutouts, there exists a substantial depth in many scenes which conveys a pop-up book quality. This dimensionality effectively immerses viewers during emblematic scenes such as the horse stampede and the Gettysburg battle. Gimmicky effects like flying shards of wood and whipping actions towards the audience add to the fun, though their presence is limited. Unfortunately, these visual achievements are marred by artifacts, including high contrast levels that produce unwanted ringing around objects in bright outdoor scenes and moments of banding and aliasing.

Overall, the 2.40:1 image ratio brings out vibrant colors with a palette favoring teal and steely blues. Primary colors are vivid, enhancing the film's aesthetic appeal, while secondary hues, coupled with soft sepia tones, offer a charming antiquated feel. Despite some technical shortcomings such as fluctuating black levels and variable clarity in low-lit scenes, the video presentation is notably detailed, particularly in close-ups where fine textures and architectural specifics stand out. While it's not the pinnacle of Blu-ray transfers, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" provides an engaging visual experience with its unique style and substantive 3D effects.

The audio on the Blu-ray release of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is impressively powerful and meticulously engineered, showcased through a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track that brings the film's dynamic soundscape to life. The mix opens with a rich tapestry of near-constant ambience—sounds of nature like frogs and insects, rushing winds, and heavy rain—all interwoven with immersive directional effects. From the creak of wooden floorboards behind you to Lincoln's axe swinging through the rear channels, and horse hooves pounding the earth in all directions, the mix offers an incredibly detailed and enveloping experience. Explosions scatter debris with pinpoint precision across channels, bullets whistle past with alarming clarity, and cannon fire reverberates with commanding bass. The score by Henry Jackman combines anachronistic guitars with tense orchestral elements, maintaining a balance that's both clean and robust.

The surround sound utilization is a standout, consistently engaging the rear channels to envelop the viewer in action sequences filled with the clamor of battle and vampire screeches. Panning effects are executed flawlessly, adding to the immersive soundstage that feels both expansive and densely layered. Even in quieter moments, the soundscape's sudden sparseness is palpable, although this sharp contrast can sometimes highlight the absence of ambient sounds. The dynamic range is impressively defined—high-pitched noises are distinct and separate perfectly from other sounds, adding clarity to the chaotic scenes. The LFE channel delivers formidable low-end impact, making gunfire, cannon blasts, and explosions feel physically present with room-rattling force. Amidst all this, dialogue remains clear and precisely centered, ensuring that even amid intense action, vocals are easy to understand. Overall, this audio track transforms the film into an acoustic spectacle that's as thrilling as it is technically accomplished.

The Blu-ray extras for "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" provide a comprehensive and engaging dive into the film’s creative and production process. The Audio Commentary with Writer Seth Grahame-Smith offers a unique insight into the research and adaptation process, despite some intermittent silences. The expansive Making of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter featurette is split into five parts and covers the adaptation from book to screen, including location scouting, fight choreography, makeup effects, and the director’s visual style, offering a thorough behind-the-scenes look with robust interviews and footage. Additionally, Edgar Allan Poe's cel-shaded CGI short film, The Great Calamity, provides a fascinating prologue to the story. Other extras include a Linkin Park music video, the theatrical trailer, and sneak peeks.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Writer Seth Grahame-Smith: Insights into researching and balancing real history with genre elements.
• The Great Calamity: CGI short film with Edgar Allan Poe telling Lincoln about Elizabeth Bathory.
• The Making of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: A five-part documentary covering book-to-screen adaptation, locations, fight choreography, makeup effects, and director’s visual style.
• Powerless Music Video by Linkin Park: Music video.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical preview.
• Sneak Peeks: Previews of upcoming releases.

"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" is a film that leans unapologetically into its outlandish premise, merging historical revisionism with supernatural horror. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and penned by Seth Grahame-Smith, the movie endeavors to blend stoic historical drama with high-octane action sequences. Starring Benjamin Walker as a vengeance-fueled young Lincoln, the movie starts with a tragic backstory, setting the stage for Lincoln's lifelong vendetta against vampires. The narrative yokes pivotal moments of Lincoln's life—from his initial acts of defiance against slavery to his ascension in politics—into a storyline that attributes historical events like the Civil War to nocturnal bloodsuckers. Unfortunately, while the audacious plot promises absurd fun, it occasionally falters, suffering from split-tonality and missed opportunities for campy delight.

Bekmambetov's direction shines visually with impressive set pieces and kinetic action. Scenes like the vampire-infested train battle and the ludicrous horse chase are highlights, balanced by intricately choreographed fight sequences that employ a mix of martial arts and ax-wielding bravado. However, the film's over-reliance on CGI and hyper-stylized editing detracts from its visceral impact. Benjamin Walker's portrayal of Lincoln attempts to imbue gravitas but often clashes with the film’s demand for unrestrained ridiculousness, resulting in a somewhat lukewarm experience. Key supporting performances from Dominic Cooper as mentor-vampire-hunter Henry Sturges and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Mary Todd Lincoln add emotional depth, though they are sometimes overshadowed by the overarching spectacle.

"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" excels when it embraces its inherent absurdity and gleeful exaggeration. Yet, the film’s serious undertones occasionally misfire, leaving an impression of a tepid execution of an otherwise energetic concept. Those entering with tempered expectations prepared for a brain-checking experience may find pockets of entertainment in its blend of historical fantasy and horror-action, but those seeking a more refined narrative or cohesive tonality may be left wanting.

"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" as a Blu-ray release provides an intriguing yet polarizing viewing experience. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the film merges historical drama with supernatural elements to an often mixed effect. The narrative ambitiously follows the United States' 16th President in a fantastical battle against the undead, attempting to blend historical gravitas with outlandish fiction. The movie indulges in bombastic action sequences akin to the "Underworld" series, yet its overly earnest tone can make the ludicrous premise feel underwhelming.

Visually, the Blu-ray transfer is a tale of two halves. While the picture quality is generally strong, it suffers from an over-stylized aesthetic that occasionally detracts from the overall experience. The 3D edition, in particular, fails to impress due to lackluster video presentation. However, audio enthusiasts will appreciate the lossless sound quality, which delivers a robust auditory experience, enveloping viewers in the high-octane action scenes with clarity and precision. The supplemental material, although not extensive, is concise and straightforward, catering to those interested in basic behind-the-scenes insights.

Overall, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" on Blu-ray is a mixed bag. While it effectively harnesses advanced audio and visual technologies to deliver an engaging spectacle, the film itself is hampered by a lack of tonal balance and a failure to fully capitalize on its inventive concept. Enthusiasts of absurdly creative genre mash-ups may find it worth a rental, but a purchase is advised only for dedicated fans or 3D Blu-ray collectors. Who could've thought a film with such a peculiar premise could end up being so unremarkable?