Amityville: The Awakening Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate Films presents 'Amityville: The Awakening' on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer, aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The use of the Canon 500 is evident in scenes where lighting is generous, showcasing sharpness and fine detail commendably, particularly in the brighter, outdoor sequences which display a pleasing clarity and vibrancy. However, the film’s inclination towards darker scenes results in variable detail levels, with some moments submerged in almost total darkness, lacking shadow definition—potentially a stylistic choice. The palette across these well-lit segments, though a bit subdued, offers a contrast to the interior scenes known for their drab appearance.

The Blu-ray’s technical aspects, including MPEG-4 AVC encoding and a resolution of 1080p, highlight some of the challenges encountered. The video presentation can appear rushed, reflected in a dimmer image than expected for a modern release, suffering from softness and a lack of texture detail. Despite the deep black levels intended to enhance the viewing experience, they instead often obscure details due to crushing problems, diminishing the overall impact. Furthermore, while the color reproduction aims for a washed-out aesthetic, achieving boldness in natural tones and specific elements, it still falls short of expectations.

Flesh tones present throughout 'Amityville: The Awakening' tend towards the cooler and washed-out end of the spectrum, maintaining consistency but failing to captivate in wider shots as much as they do in close-ups. While the film does manage to avoid major issues with noise or artifacts aside from the mentioned crushing, the presentation struggles with depth and three-dimensional appeal, delivering a flatter experience that lacks dynamic separation. Movements are generally smooth, though not without occasional blurring or jittering during faster sequences, underscoring a presentation that could have benefited from more meticulous attention to detail.

The audio section of "Amityville: The Awakening" on Blu-ray boasts a competent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that meticulously complements the film's eerie ambiance and horror elements. The track skilfully utilizes the sound field, employing a mix of startle effects and subtly placed ambient sounds to craft an immersive audio experience. The distinction between the claustrophobic interiors of the haunted house and the expansive exterior scenes is well executed, enhancing the film's atmospheric tension. Furthermore, the dynamics of this audio presentation are commendable, with the mix achieving a rich clarity and punchy dynamics that effectively fill the room. The low frequency extension delivers accurate thumps during intense moments, like engines revving or sudden musical cues, adding a satisfying depth to the horror experience.

Dialogue is consistently clear and prioritized across the center channel, ensuring that it remains intelligible and forefront against the film's score and sound effects. This clear dialogue reproduction maintains its clarity throughout, regardless of onscreen activity, showcasing an adept balancing act within the mix. However, it's worth noting that the audio mix, while above average, tends to lean towards being front-heavy. The rear channels are mostly utilized for ambient sounds and occasional directional cues, which, while effective, suggest a missed opportunity for a more enveloping surround sound presentation.

Despite its somewhat conservative use of the surround channels, the audio track overall does not disappoint. It effectively supports the visual elements of the film, providing an auditory experience that elevates moments of tension and surprise. The track’s ability to convey a sense of space and location through sound is particularly impressive, from subtle environmental cues to more direct effects that engage the viewer. In terms of technical audio execution, "Amityville: The Awakening" delivers a solid performance that, while not pushing boundaries, adequately serves its purpose and enhances the viewing experience.

The extra presentation of the "Amityville: The Awakening" Blu-ray provides an insightful albeit brief glimpse into the making of this horror reboot. Clocking in just over five minutes, "The Making of Amityville: The Awakening" seamlessly combines behind-the-scenes footage with cast interviews, including an enthusiastic Bella Thorne expressing her love for horror movies and excitement over obtaining her role. Despite the featurette's enthusiasm and engaging snippets from the film, it struggles to transcend the typical ambiance of a standard electronic press kit (EPK), bearing generic insights into the production process and offering scenes that risk venturing into spoiler territory. An UltraViolet digital copy inclusion adds value, allowing for digital access alongside physical ownership.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Amityville: The Awakening: A short glimpse into the production featuring cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Digital HD Copy: An UltraViolet digital copy for convenient digital access.

Amityville: The Awakening" makes yet another attempt to delve into the infamous lore surrounding 112 Ocean Avenue, bringing a certain level of mainstream cinema quality through its casting despite the film's innate struggle to distance itself from its predecessors and offer an authentic scare. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bella Thorne, and Cameron Monaghan lend credence to an otherwise predictable plot, with their performances standing out as a beacon in the murky waters of the franchise’s latest installment. The narrative introduces us to the Walker family, relocating in hopes of a fresh start, only to unravel the malevolent legacy of their new home. This iteration, like many before it, struggles to untangle itself from the overused haunted house trope, relying on a mix of genuine acting prowess and typical genre shock tactics to capture audience intrigue.

Despite its capable cast, "Amityville: The Awakening" fails to reinvigorate the series, leaning heavily on familiar territory without delivering the innovative twist it promises. The film's attempt at a meta-commentary—acknowledging its own franchise history within the plot—provides a fleeting moment of intrigue but ultimately cannot save it from its formulaic confines. The production values and performances, especially Thorne's portrayal of Belle grappling with familial dysfunction and dark revelations, suggest a higher caliber than what the franchise has seen in decades, which might pique the interest of some fans. Yet, it falls into the trap of retreading old ground, squandering the potential for a truly refreshing take on the Amityville mythos.

Moreover, despite its delays and the notoriety surrounding its release—a situation somewhat mirroring the haunted reputation of its subject—the movie leaves much to be desired. Technical aspects aside, the narrative arc concerning the Walker family's ordeal and their confrontation with the demonic forces at play in their new home aims to add depth but instead leans into predictability. "Amityville: The Awakening," for all its aspirations to stand out within a crowded franchise, ultimately serves as a reminder that not all tales warrant rebirth. Its real success lies in demonstrating the potential for solid performances to elevate even the most uninspired material, a testament to its cast rather than its conception or execution.

Amityville: The Awakening" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment, embarking yet again into the long-standing lore of the infamous Amityville house, but this time, with an underwhelming pulse in the horror genre. The presentation quality, while solid in its high definition audio and video output, fails to elevate the film beyond its half-baked execution and storyline. Enthusiasts of the franchise or those captivated by the cast might find solace in the technical merits of this release, but those seeking a groundbreaking addition to the horror shelf will likely find this installment lacking. The film, akin to a tepid echo in the vast corridor of Amityville narratives, struggles to invigorate or offer new frights, and even the "Making Of" featurette included as a bonus appears as an afterthought, adding little value or insight into the production’s backdrop.

Amidst a cinematic landscape abundant with horror reimaginings and sequels, "Amityville: The Awakening" stumbles as it attempts to leverage the notorious reputation of its namesake. The video quality, though generally decent, falls short of expectations set by contemporary standards, mirroring a broader sense of obligation rather than ambition in its Blu-ray release. Coupled with an audio track that covers only the basics, the overall package feels more like a checkbox exercise rather than a meaningful contribution to either the franchise or the genre. Remarks hinting at a lackluster enthusiasm behind this project are not unfounded, suggesting a viewing experience best reserved for when it becomes readily available on subscription platforms already within one's repertoire.

In conclusion, while "Amityville: The Awakening" on Blu-ray demonstrates adequate effort in audiovisual presentation, it ultimately does not compensate for the film's inherent shortcomings. For completists of the franchise or those drawn to the ensemble cast, this release might serve as a mild diversion. However, for fans seeking substantive horror or a revival worthy of the Amityville legacy, it might be prudent to temper expectations or look elsewhere. This iteration feels reminiscent of missed opportunities, echoing sentiments of unfulfilled potential within a saga that once captivated audiences with its harrowing tales.