The Lost Boys Blu-ray Review
Score: 53
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
'The Lost Boys' shines on Blu-ray with great charm and extras, but some flaws.
Disc Release Date
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 54
'The Lost Boys' Blu-ray impresses with vibrant colors and deeper details compared to DVDs, though it has softness in medium shots and lacks fine facial details. Warner's remaster notably enhances image quality, despite some flaws.
Audio: 44
'The Lost Boys' Blu-ray offers a robust Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix with loud, clear dynamics and memorable tunes, despite occasional harshness and a less immersive surround experience.
Extra: 61
The Lost Boys Blu-ray delights with Joel Schumacher's in-depth insights and a bounty of features exploring its iconic style, effects, and sequel ideas, yet remains technically unchanged since its 2001 DVD edition.
Movie: 61
'The Lost Boys,' a stylish 80s vampire film blending terror and humor, fails to fully deliver on scares, veering into camp despite its cult appeal and slick visuals.
Video: 54
Warner's Blu-ray presentation of "The Lost Boys" in a 1080p, 2.40:1 video transfer marks a significant, albeit not revolutionary, upgrade from its previous DVD releases. The transfer showcases a depth and detail improvement notable in scenes such as the family's arrival at Grandpa's house, where colors are more vibrant and details in clothing and external wooden structures are enhanced. Despite these improvements, some limitations persist, including a general softness in medium-wide shots and backgrounds, which at times become excessively blurry, diminishing the image's clarity and dimensionality. Close-up scenes exhibit a decrease in fine facial details, often presenting an almost airbrushed quality. However, the black levels are commendably solid and deep, offering a stark contrast to the film’s vivid color palette, especially the reds and the varied lights of the Santa Carla boardwalk.
The new 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode by Warner noticeably surpasses the standard definition DVD's quality, displaying a meticulously preserved film free from blemishes or speckles. The grain structure shows marked improvement, contributing to a cleaner look without sacrificing the film's original texture. Color saturation strikes a balance between richness and naturalness, particularly in the accurate rendering of fleshtones and the dominant reds that previously appeared fuzzy on DVD. Sharpness and detail are significantly enhanced for a movie released in 1987, achieving a dimensional image free from softness or shadow detail issues. The encoding process also eliminates common problems such as artifacts and edge enhancement, further evidencing Warner’s commitment to delivering a high-quality remaster of 'The Lost Boys' for Blu-ray audiences.
Overall, while the Blu-ray edition of "The Lost Boys" is not without its drawbacks, notably in some aspects of image clarity and fine detail presentation, it represents a commendable improvement over earlier DVD versions. Warner's efforts in remastering have paid off, resulting in a cleaner, more vibrant picture that leverages advances in encoding to offer fans a superior viewing experience of this classic film.
Audio: 44
"The Lost Boys" Blu-Ray release brings to the fore a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio presentation that offers a mix of positives and areas that leave room for improvement. While the audio track boasts an impressive clarity and volume, making for an overall loud experience, it simultaneously suffers from a somewhat harsh sound profile. The dynamics, though solid with a clean and polished output, may not significantly elevate the film's audio experience compared to its original 1987 release. Notably, the presentation shines with its choice of music, as exemplified by the cover of the Doors' "People Are Strange," which is both vibrant and impeccably suited to the film's atmosphere. This particular track, alongside other musical selections, stands out as notably enhanced on this Blu-ray edition.
However, certain aspects of the audio presentation could have been better executed. Dialogue at times appears muffled, lacking the crispness that one might expect from a high-res mix. The subtleness of ambient sounds and discrete effects falls short of creating a truly immersive surround sound experience. The rear channels and low frequency effects channel, although contributing on occasion to the film's soundscape, do not consistently deliver the impactful and dynamic presence that aficionados of surround sound might anticipate.
Despite these shortcomings, the "The Lost Boys" Blu-ray audio track manages to maintain a level of engagement through its well-chosen music and sound effects. The soundtrack, while not achieving a deeply immersive surround sound experience, provides enough auditory punch to complement the visual upgrade of this cult classic. Technical specifications, including the clean sound and strong dynamics, ensure that the track does not distract from the viewing experience, though it doesn’t dramatically enhance it either.
Extras: 61
The special features section of "The Lost Boys" Blu-ray edition is a treasure trove for fans, offering a deep dive into the making and legacy of this iconic vampire film. The director, Joel Schumacher, provides insightful commentary, shedding light on the film's budget constraints, the choice to minimize special effects in favor of in-camera tricks, and the influence of The Doors. Both "The Lost Boys: A Retrospective" and the "Inside the Vampires' Cave" featurettes further enrich the viewing experience by exploring the film's evolution, blending of genres, and its unique take on vampire mythology. Additional highlights include a look at the makeup artistry of Greg Cannom, and quirky anecdotes from Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. Despite being a dated SD quality without interactive enhancements for the Blu-ray format, these extras serve as a comprehensive guide to the film’s creation, its impact, and its enduring appeal.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: A detailed solo commentary by director Joel Schumacher.
- The Lost Boys: A Retrospective: Includes interviews with key cast and crew, discussing the film's development and production.
- Inside the Vampires' Cave: A four-part featurette with more insights from Schumacher and others.
- A Director's Vision
- Comedy vs. Horror
- Fresh Blood: A New Look At Vampires
- 'The Lost Boys' Sequel?
- Vamping Out: The Undead Creations of Greg Cannom: An in-depth look at the film's makeup effects.
- Haimster and Feldog: The Story of the 2 Coreys: A piece on the iconic duo's off-screen friendship and careers.
- Multi-Angle Commentary With Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, and Jamison Newlander: Scene-specific insights from the actors.
- The Lost Scenes: A collection of deleted scenes.
- The Vampires' Photo Gallery: A compilation of still photographs from the film.
- A World of Vampires: An interactive feature exploring vampire legends globally.
- Music Video - Lost in the Shadows: By Lou Gramm.
- Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for the film.
Movie: 61
Joel Schumacher’s “The Lost Boys” lands on Blu-ray, promising a high-definition feast for fans of this quintessential 80s vampire flick. As it transports viewers to the eerie town of Santa Carla, California, the movie weaves a tale that balances terror with a unique brand of humor, distinguishing itself within the vampire genre. Despite the decades since its release, it holds up remarkably well, courtesy of its engaging narrative and the dynamic visual style helmed by Schumacher and captured by Michael Chapman’s lens. The film follows the Emerson family as they navigate their new lives entangled with a gang of teenage vampires. With performances that range from the dramatic to the comedic, “The Lost Boys” remains a seminal work, nostalgic yet timeless in its appeal.
The movie's allure is not without its critiques, however. While it stands out for its stylish execution and an engaging cast—Jason Patric and Kiefer Sutherland delivering noteworthy performances—the narrative occasionally falls short in depth, particularly in exploring the darker aspects of vampirism and adolescence. The balance of horror and humor tends to lean significantly towards the latter, relegating the film to a more comedic than horrifying experience. The potential for a more profound exploration of its themes is palpable but ultimately underutilized.
Despite these criticisms, “The Lost Boys” firmly maintains its place as a cult favorite, cherished for its blend of horror, humor, and 80s nostalgia. The enthusiastic performances, particularly from the younger cast members and the Frog Brothers' comic relief, breathe life into the film’s otherwise straightforward script. While it may not have fully realized its potential to redefine the genre for its generation, it serves as a glossy, entertaining piece that captures the spirit of its time. Its presentation on Blu-ray promises not just a trip down memory lane for long-time fans but an introduction to a new generation seeking the thrills and laughs that only this iconic vampire film can deliver.
Total: 53
"The Lost Boys" Blu-ray delivers a mixed bag of nostalgia, technical merits, and extras that will undoubtedly appeal to its fan base while potentially leaving newcomers and die-hard audiovisual purists wanting. With Joel Schumacher's direction praised for its atmosphere, humor, and character work, this vampire classic cements its status among the best in its genre. The film is celebrated for its exceptional casting and Schumacher's keen eye for detail—a stark contrast to his later works with Batman, showcasing his versatility as a director. Warner Brothers’ release offers a sound visual upgrade albeit without the wow factor some might expect from modern Blu-ray releases. The highlight is certainly the inclusion of a lossless audio track that, despite not being revolutionary, ensures a more immersive experience. Special features are abundant and engaging, promising fans an in-depth look behind the scenes of their favorite vampire flick.
However, the evaluation of the Blu-ray's technical aspects presents a mixed picture. The video restoration impresses with its clarity and remastered quality, though it may not meet the lofty expectations set by more recent high-definition releases. Sound quality, while solid, does not significantly elevate the experience beyond what previous DVD versions offered. This aspect might not detract from the overall enjoyment but is a note of consideration for audiophiles or those seeking a drastic improvement over existing copies.
In conclusion, "The Lost Boys" Blu-ray is a worthwhile acquisition for fans seeking to revisit the nostalgia of the 80s and enjoy the film's cult appeal in the best quality currently available. While it shines in video restoration and supplemental content, the audio component and lack of a dramatic visual overhaul might not justify an immediate upgrade for those with recent DVD editions. Nonetheless, its strengths lie in celebrating a beloved classic with care and attention to detail, making it a recommended addition to the collection of any enthusiast awaiting the right price point.
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 70
Backgrounds are soft as a rule, to the point of being excessively blurry on occasion, and there is a lack of dimensionality to the image....
Audio: 70
There is a bit of a harsh edge to the sound, but dynamics and clarity don't suffer as a result....
Extras: 70
Haimster and Feldog: The Story of the 2 Coreys (480p, 4:30) is a brief, entertaining look at this legendary pairing, going back to their auditioning for the same role in The Goonies and their off-screen...
Movie: 90
They battle the forces of "los Vampiros" in the name of "truth, justice, and the American way", but when push comes to shove, however, they may be the most cowardly of anyone in Santa Carla, which is understandable...
Total: 80
This is yet another example, much like The Phantom of the Opera, that demonstrates Joel Schumacher's excellent eye for directing good movies, making his Batman flicks the exception to the rule....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Grain is also much improved over the previous DVD, which often looked fuzzy and indistinct (particularly with red, which is a dominant color throughout the film)....
Audio: 60
The Lost Boys' doesn't really gain much in the jump to high-res audio, but this is certainly not a bad soundtrack....
Extras: 60
Then there is a 19-minute compendium of the pairs best scenes, where they are joined by Feldman's fellow Frog Brother Jamison Newlander for a video commentary that's presented in multi-angle....
Movie: 40
Only the dynamics of the Emerson family are portrayed with any realism, though even this success is constantly counteracted by the comedic intrusion of Sam and the Frog Brothers, who come across as way...
Total: 60
The audio isn't that spectacular, but that's hardly a fatal flaw in an otherwise strong catalog release....
Director: Joel Schumacher
Actors: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest
PlotA recently divorced mother, Lucy, and her two sons, Michael and Sam, relocate to the small coastal California town of Santa Carla to start anew, living with her quirky father. Known as the murder capital of the world, Santa Carla has an underlying darkness to it. Upon arrival, the two brothers quickly find themselves entwined with two very different groups: Michael falls for the mysterious Star and becomes involved with a dangerous local biker gang that holds a dark secret, while Sam befriends the eccentric Frog brothers, self-proclaimed vampire hunters who believe Santa Carla is plagued by the undead.
As Michael gets drawn deeper into the biker gang's activities, he begins to undergo a disturbing change in behavior, prompting Sam and the Frog brothers to investigate. Meanwhile, their mother, Lucy, starts a budding romance with a local store owner, oblivious to the supernatural dangers her sons are facing. Sam must confront the possibility that Michael might be turning into a vampire and that the town's youth are in peril. The brothers uncover unsettling truths about Santa Carla's nocturnal residents, leading to a confrontation where they must protect their family and put an end to the growing menace.
Writers: Jan Fischer, James Jeremias, Jeffrey Boam
Release Date: 31 Jul 1987
Runtime: 97 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English