31 Blu-ray Review

"31," presented on Blu-ray by Lionsgate Films, boasts an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The film uses the Arri Alexa, which aids in delivering a visually engaging experience despite its inherent challenges. The detail levels are often subdued due to prevalent shaky cam techniques, dim lighting, and artistic shot compositions involving lens flares. However, some scenes exhibit impressive fine detail, particularly in well-lit environments and specific close-ups, where individual hairs, sweat, and facial makeup are acutely discernible. The color palette is deliberately muted, with opening scenes often desaturated or sepia-toned, transitioning into intense blue and yellow hues during game sequences. While occasional compression and noise issues affect darker scenes, they do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience.

Despite a grainy texture to emulate a 1970s grindhouse aesthetic, the image maintains clarity and vivid detail across various scenes. Black levels are deep and inky, providing good shading and definition without any noticeable crushing. Bright exterior shots feature warm tints reminiscent of old 1970s filmmaking, while darker scenes are accentuated with eerie blue lighting. Skin tones remain natural and consistent, with momentary fluctuations due to different lighting schemes. Complementing the lifelike depiction of blood and theatrical colors, the transfer's strong, bold color reproduction manages to include impressive whites, blues, and yellows. Overall, the video presentation is clean, maintaining a nostalgic yet sharp visual appeal throughout the film’s duration.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "31" is a standout feature of the Blu-ray, delivering a mix that effectively uses the surround channels to create an immersive auditory experience. The audio track exhibits consistent surround activity with rich source cues spanning a variety of genres, including classical, and effectively leveraging the echo-laden confines where the carnival workers are held captive. Detailed ambient noises, such as the dripping pipes, the laughter and taunts of the killer clowns, and various screams, contribute to a dynamic and engaging sound environment. Each death scene is complemented by convincing sound effects, from chainsaws to bats hitting metal and bone, providing a robust and full-bodied soundscape.

Furthermore, the mix excels in its attention to nuances and dynamics. The low-frequency extension is particularly notable during musical numbers and scenes with thumping struggles or clanging weapons. The subwoofer support enhances these elements, creating a visceral experience through deep bass tones. The sound presentation achieves an impressive balance between action-packed moments and discrete audio details; engines rattle and hum realistically as they vibrate through scenes. Special mention should be made of Rob Zombie’s adept integration of songs that weave seamlessly through the mix, correlating with on-screen actions and discussions.

The dialogue reproduction remains pristine throughout the track, emerging clearly over the chaotic background sounds of screaming and combat. Each spoken word is rendered with sharp clearness, allowing viewers to catch every nuance, from mouth smacking to saliva sliding. This impeccable clarity extends across various environmental settings within the film. Notably, there are no audio artifacts such as pops, cracks, hisses, or shrills, contributing to an unblemished listening experience. This DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track impresses with its complexity and precision, marrying horror elements and musical cues into a compelling audio presentation.

The Blu-Ray extras for "31" include an array of detailed and informative features that are essential for fans. Rob Zombie's commentary adds depth, providing incisive insights into plot clarifications, technical aspects, casting, and script modifications, although it's delivered in a subdued tone. The standout feature is "In Hell Everybody Loves Popcorn: The Making of 31," an exhaustive documentary in HD spanning over two hours, organized into multiple chapters. This documentary is almost like a video diary that covers pre-production through the entire twenty-day shoot, complete with cast and crew interviews that dissect every scene, albeit somewhat repetitively.

Extras included in this disc:

• Rob Zombie Commentary: In-depth insights on plot, technical aspects, and script changes.
• In Hell Everybody Loves Popcorn: The Making of 31: Comprehensive behind-the-scenes documentary covering the entire production.
• Trailers: Additional trailers for other Lionsgate films.

Rob Zombie’s "31" marks a return to the gritty, grindhouse aesthetic he's known for, blending elements of "Saw" and "The Purge" with his signature gore-filled style. The plot, set during a late seventies cross-country trip, follows five carnival workers kidnapped and forced into a deadly game where they must survive twelve hours against various homicidal clowns. Zombie regulars, including Sheri Moon Zombie, bring a familiar face to the carnage, though their character arcs do not receive much development. The film, shot in just 20 days, shows with its rushed pace and some erratic editing choices. Richard Brake's portrayal of Doom-Head stands out, delivering one of the film’s most chilling performances, especially in the opening monologue where he torments a priest.

The film's overall coherence suffers from a lack of contextual background and logical plot development. While Zombie's intelligent and often humorous personality shines through in interviews and commentary tracks, it doesn't translate well into the narrative of "31." The movie features exaggerated villains, including Victorian-dressed rich individuals orchestrating the deadly games for their twisted amusement, and various themed clowns that verge on silliness. Despite inconsistencies in storytelling and some non sequitur dialogue elements, "31" succeeds in creating a visceral visual experience with its arresting imagery and relentless gore. The suspense primarily revolves around guessing which characters will survive until the end, rather than constructing a deeply compelling narrative.

In technical terms, the Blu-ray release from Lionsgate presents "31" on a 50GB disc with high-definition quality that highlights the film's grimy visual style reminiscent of 1970s grindhouse cinema. Zombie’s effective use of real locations enhances the film's depth and scale, complementing the haphazard but entertaining bloodbath he orchestrates. Fans of Rob Zombie’s previous work will find "31" a satisfying, if not groundbreaking, addition to his filmography, particularly suitable for Halloween viewing or for those seeking a fright centered around killer clowns.

Rob Zombie's "31" presents a high-octane display of brutality that will cater primarily to his dedicated fanbase and aficionados of extreme horror. This film features Zombie's signature style, characterized by an unrelenting pace and an abundance of gore, though it may not stand as his most innovative work. The narrative revolves around a series of cat-and-mouse games concluding in gruesome fatalities, offering a rather predictable yet engaging experience for those inclined towards this genre.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray's visual presentation demonstrates sporadic detail levels but overall delivers a satisfactory immersive experience. The audio quality, however, stands out, enveloping viewers in Zombie's chaotic world effectively. The special features package is robust, with a feature-length commentary and an extensive making-of documentary that together provide nearly four hours of additional content, catering well to enthusiasts who appreciate in-depth insight into the film's production.

In summary, while "31" may lean heavily on familiar tropes and conventions, its fast-paced, blood-soaked style ensures it remains an entertaining watch for Rob Zombie and hardcore horror fans. The Blu-ray release's commendable audio-visual quality and comprehensive special features make it a worthwhile addition for collectors and die-hard followers of Zombie's grim cinematic endeavors.