Dagon Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Dagon" by Lionsgate's Vestron Video imprint offers a mixed viewing experience, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Though there's no information on the source of this master and/or transfer, it appears that digital noise reduction (DNR) might have been applied, resulting in a near absence of grain. Fine detail occasionally pokes through despite obvious scrubbing, while the overall image often appears soft, particularly during the film’s stormy and misty sequences. Anomalies such as near posterization on faces and banding suggest inartful compression work, while the palette occasionally looks alien, with jaundiced flesh tones that could either be an artifact of the transfer or reflective of the original theatrical appearance.

In terms of visual performance, "Dagon" oscillates between looking crisp and polished to feeling akin to a DVD upconvert. Depth in certain water shots appears multidimensional and spacious, but movements can become choppy, displaying a lack of consistent motion fluidity. Black levels are generally deep and consuming, though minimal crush occurs from time to time, obscuring detail. The color reproduction is intriguing, with dingy and dark parts interspersed with vivid bursts—early daylight scenes are vivid, while later shots feature striking colors like bright orange and yellow/green. Blood reds appear rich, and there are moments when blues stand out nicely. Flesh tones remain mostly natural throughout the film, though facial features sometimes suffer from oversmoothing.

Ultimately, while "Dagon" on Blu-ray provides an acceptable experience for diehard fans, several areas could benefit from significant improvement, particularly concerning grain retention and compression artifacts.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track of "Dagon" is a commendable effort that brings the film's rich soundscape to life with several notable highlights. While it occasionally lacks speaker-to-speaker dynamics, the mix makes up for it with engaging ambient environmental effects, especially during outdoor scenes featuring stormy atmospheres. The score by Carles Cases thoughtfully spreads into the surround channels, adding depth and immersion. Dialogue reproduction is consistently clear and well-prioritized even amid the incessant rainfall, which is meticulously sculpted for each environment. Moreover, there are no signs of age-related wear and tear, ensuring a clean auditory experience.

The audio presentation features a surprising degree of intricacy in its surround sound design. Although vocal levels are sometimes slightly subdued, and the score can be overbearing, the effects stand out as the strongest facet of the mix, with sounds from waves crashing, engines, and various interactions creating a vividly immersive experience. The low-frequency extension is particularly noteworthy for its impactful booms that bolster the tension and drama of key scenes. Additionally, the consistent incorporation of ambient sounds significantly enhances the overall setting, making them feel present in the viewer's space. Despite the occasional issue with menu volume discrepancies, "Dagon" delivers a highly satisfying and technically proficient audio experience across its 5.1 DTS-HD MA track.

The Blu-ray extras for "Dagon" provide a comprehensive and engaging overview of the film's production and background, offering valuable insights from various key contributors. The audio commentaries by director Stuart Gordon with screenwriter Dennis Paoli and star Ezra Godden add depth to the film's narrative, while the interviews with Gordon, producer Brian Yuzna, and author S.T. Joshi delve into creative inspirations and background details that enrich the viewer's understanding. The inclusion of vintage featurettes, archival interviews, and galleries of conceptual art and storyboards enhances the overall package, making it a must-have for fans and cinephiles alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Stuart Gordon and Screenwriter Dennis Paoli: Insightful discussion on the film's script and direction.
• Audio Commentary with Director Stuart Gordon and Star Ezra Godden: Engaging commentary between Gordon and Godden on character development.
• Gods & Monsters: Interview with Stuart Gordon by Mick Garris.
• Shadows Over Imboca: Producer Brian Yuzna's interview on the film's creation.
• Fish Stories: S.T. Joshi discusses Lovecraft’s influence.
• Vintage EPK Featurette: Behind-the-scenes look at "Dagon."
• Archival Interviews: Features cast and crew insights.
• Conceptual Art Gallery: Showcases Richard Raaphorst’s artwork.
• Storyboard Gallery: Visual breakdown of key scenes.
• Still Gallery: Collection of production stills.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer for "Dagon."

Stuart Gordon's Dagon effectively translates H.P. Lovecraft's chilling mythos to the screen, blending elements from The Shadow Over Innsmouth and Dagon. The film's opening sequence dives into surrealism, introducing Paul Marsh (Ezra Godden) in a haunting dream about a menacing mermaid—a prelude to his subsequent horrors. As Paul's yachting trip with companions on the Spanish coast goes awry due to a freak storm, he finds himself in the eerie village of Imboca. Here, Gordon meticulously constructs a narrative, balancing between atmospheric tension and thrilling chase sequences, compelling viewers to follow Paul’s desperate search for his girlfriend Barbara (Raquel Meroño) amidst increasingly bizarre and hostile locals.

Gordon's portrayal of Imboca is rich in Lovecraftian overtones: mysterious cults, fish-like inhabitants, and grotesque viscerate textures abound. The practical effects are laudable, delivering squirm-inducing gore and makeup artistry that enhance the film's unsettling mood. However, the film occasionally falters with CGI, which though kept to a minimum, reflects its early 2000s limitations. Despite these imperfections, Dagon maintains narrative momentum through persistent suspense and esoteric revelations about Paul's connection to the village. This tension is amplified by Paul’s encounters with otherworldly creatures and cultists dedicated to summoning the underwater deity, Dagon.

While some performances lack depth and certain narrative elements remain underdeveloped, Dagon compensates with its unique ambiance and immersive chase sequences. The film invites viewers into a world where unfathomable horrors lurk beneath the surface, capturing the essence of Lovecraft’s work through Gordon’s distinctive lens. Given better technology and resources, a modern adaptation could potentially elevate this cult classic further. Nonetheless, Dagon remains a testament to Gordon's ability to evoke Lovecraftian dread, blending visceral horror with a relentless pursuit of survival in an enigmatic and nightmarish setting.

"Dagon," based on H.P. Lovecraft's mythos, emerges as a fascinating yet divided classic within the horror genre. Directed by Stuart Gordon and spearheaded by producer Brian Yuzna, the film offers a Wicker Man sensibility that is both visually arresting and atmospherically rich. The Blu-ray release by Vestron Video brings a collection of thoughtfully curated bonus materials and compelling cover artwork, which together create a comprehensive package for fans of the genre. However, its video presentation falls short of expectations, lacking an organic, filmlike quality that more sophisticated viewers might expect. On the audio front, however, the release demonstrates a clear and adequately immersive experience.

From a technical standpoint, the video quality is the primary sticking point in this release, presenting an image that appears somewhat digital rather than truly capturing the cinematic essence of the original film. While it's not devoid of merits, the missed opportunity to provide a more polished visual representation might not sit well with all viewers. Thankfully, the audio manages to stay robust, delivering clear dialogue and effectively ambient soundscapes that enhance the palpable Lovecraftian mood.

In conclusion, this is another cult horror release that has both pluses and minuses and may split fans' reactions. The video could certainly look more organic and filmlike, but audio is fine (if not overwhelmingly immersive), and the supplementary package is extremely well done. Fans of Lovecraft and/or this particular film are encouraged to look over the screenshots to see if the video presentation is a deal killer for them. The film itself is actually rather interesting, even if it's not completely successful. It has a palpable mood that is positively, well, Lovecraftian.