The Battery Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Battery" is commendable, showcasing an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio that remains faithful to the film’s artistic intentions. Shot digitally with lower-end HD cameras, such as the Canon 5D, the film achieves a remarkable level of clarity and stability considering its production constraints. The cinematography employs a steely and slightly antiquated color palette, contributing to a cold and bleak atmosphere. Despite this deliberate stylistic choice, primary colors are accurate, and when not graded, offer a stark and true representation.

In terms of detail and depth, "The Battery" impresses with its solid presentation. You can easily discern fine details such as thread patterns on blankets and the wood grain on surfaces, even detecting subtle dings and dents on vehicles. Depth is consistently showcased, from close-ups to wider, open field scenes, providing an engaging visual experience. Black levels are rich and true, supporting strong shadow delineation that enhances the overall dimensionality of the image without losing details in darker scenes.

The color reproduction features standout reds and greens, maintaining a natural look that eschews overly vivid coloring. Flesh tones are portrayed with warmth and consistency, capturing intricate details from zombie makeup to individual facial hairs. The digital-to-digital transfer maintains crisp and brilliant whites, coupled with strong shadow delineation that ensures no overt compression artifacts or noise are present. Overall, the Blu-ray of "The Battery" delivers an outstanding visual presentation that beautifully captures the film’s lo-fi yet artistically rich aesthetic.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "The Battery" offers a surprisingly robust and immersive auditory experience, particularly impressive given the film’s modest budget. While it may not boast the most explosive, effects-driven mix typical of blockbuster zombie films, it excels in its consistent use of surround activity. The sound design incorporates ambient environmental effects, Ryan Winford's evocative score, and well-chosen source cues by bands, effectively utilizing the side and rear channels. Dialogue is presented with exceptional clarity, maintaining excellent fidelity throughout.

The front-heavy mix is distinguished by its broad and expansive imaging, providing excellent balance and separation between channels. This effectively delivers convincing off-screen effects with noteworthy fidelity and directionality. The mid-range spectrum is surprisingly rich and detailed, supporting the action, music, and various song selections. Low-frequency effects are resonant and responsive, adding depth and weight to several sequences.

The rear channels contribute significantly to the auditory experience, immersing the listener in the sounds of nature blended with the sinister moans of zombies. Car doors shutting, doors being slammed or kicked down, and gunshots are notably accentuated by the subwoofer, enhancing the overall realism. This careful crafting of sound elements results in a satisfying and often immersive soundfield that envelops the listener, making every zombie encounter feel tangible and immediate. Additionally, there's a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix available, which while more focused and narrow, remains perfectly listenable.

This audio presentation of "The Battery" demonstrates how high-quality sound design can elevate a film's atmosphere and immersion, even within the constraints of a limited budget.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Battery" present a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of this indie zombie film, with exhaustive features and engaging content. Tools of Ignorance: The Making of The Battery offers an in-depth, 89-minute documentary filled with insightful and often humorous cast and crew interviews, thoroughly exploring the production challenges and successes. The Audio Commentary by writer-director Jeremy Gardner, producer-actor Adam Cronheim, and cinematographer Christian Stella is both entertaining and informative, shedding light on the technical and budgetary constraints faced during filming. Additionally, the disc includes a short performance by Rock Plaza Central, outtakes, and a trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Tools of Ignorance: The Making of The Battery: Extensive making-of documentary with cast and crew interviews.
• Audio Commentary: Engaging discussion led by Gardner, Cronheim, and Stella.
• Rock Plaza Central at the Parlor: Performance by the film’s contributing band.
• Outtakes: Candid behind-the-scenes footage.
• Trailer: Official film trailer.

Jeremy Gardner’s "The Battery" presents a refreshingly intimate and human-centric take on the well-worn zombie genre. With a meager budget of six thousand dollars, Gardner crafts a story that diverges from typical zombie fare by focusing on the strained relationship between two former baseball teammates, Ben and Mickey, in a post-apocalyptic world. Instead of bombarding audiences with relentless zombie encounters, the film hones in on the protagonists' personal battles and evolving dynamics. Ben, played by Gardner himself, embodies a pragmatic survivor's role, urging the less assertive and nostalgia-bound Mickey to adapt to the harsh realities of their new world. This character-driven narrative becomes a powerful metaphor for their interdependence, echoed brilliantly in the baseball term "battery," underscoring their need to support and coexist despite growing tensions.

The film’s minimalistic approach draws strength from superb location choices, utilizing the same northeastern U.S. area where early classics like "Friday the 13th" were shot. This lends an authentic feel to the desolate landscapes through which Ben and Mickey navigate. Cinematographically, "The Battery" excels with its sparse yet effective use of equipment, showcasing Gardner’s talent for making much out of little. Intense scenarios, including a sequence where Mickey must fend off a zombie alone and another where his encounter with a female zombie leads to disturbingly provocative humor, are filmed with raw brilliance. These moments not only provide horror but also delve into the psychological impacts of isolation and survival.

Heightened by an evocative soundtrack that juxtaposes raw, folk-inspired compositions against modern electronic music from Mickey’s headphones, "The Battery" infuses its scenes with a fittingly primitive atmosphere. This musical decision reflects the stripped-back reality characters face while accentuating their emotional states. Despite its budget constraints, Gardner's film is lauded for its originality and depth, offering a potent reminder of the genre's potential to explore human resilience amidst chaos. "The Battery" is not just a zombie film; it presents a nuanced examination of friendship, survival, and humanity's fragility, marking an outstanding entry in contemporary indie horror cinema.

"The Battery" is an exceptional addition to the zombie genre, showcasing the directorial prowess of Jeremy Gardner in his debut feature. The film stands out for its intelligent and thoughtful approach, providing a refreshing take on the post-apocalyptic narrative by focusing not just on survival, but on the psychological toll and unique friendship between its two protagonists. The minimalist setting and story delve deeply into the characters' emotional landscapes, making it a standout among recent releases.

The Blu-ray release of "The Battery" further elevates the viewing experience with its top-notch audio and video presentation. Scream Factory goes above and beyond, offering a comprehensive collection of bonus materials that enrich the understanding and appreciation of the film. The high-quality transfer ensures that every visual detail is crisp and clear, while the sound design immerses you in the film's atmospheric tension. Fans of the genre will appreciate the meticulous care taken in this release.

While "The Battery" may have been a low-budget production, it certainly does not skimp on creativity or execution. Jeremy Gardner's work here is impressive, balancing humor, horror, and humanity in a way that feels natural and engaging. This Blu-ray release is a must-have for both collectors and casual viewers who appreciate quality cinema. Highlights of the release include its pristine presentation and the depth added by the supplemental content, making "The Battery" not just a significant film but also a worthy addition to any Blu-ray collection.

The Battery emerges as one of the more unexpected surprises of not just recent zombie flicks, but Blu-ray releases coming out this year. It will be interesting to see if Hollywood reaches out to Gardner, obviously a talent worthy of consideration, but it will also be interesting to see if Gardner is spoiled by huge budgets and an ability to indulge his every cinematic whim. The Battery is smart, funny and horrifying in equal measure, and it certainly marks one of the more audaciously successful feature film debuts of a writer-director-star in recent memory. Did Orson Welles ever make a zombie film? Recommended.