Army of Frankensteins Blu-ray Review

"Army of Frankensteins" is showcased on Blu-ray by Scream Factory with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The image quality is generally commendable, offering sharp and well-detailed visuals. Director Ryan Bellgardt and cinematographer Josh McKamie intersperse the presentation with occasional POV shots marked by intentional softness, which can be somewhat distracting. The outdoor scenes, however, display a naturally vibrant color palette that enhances the crispness and clarity of the visuals. Some nighttime sequences suffer from murky shadow details and minor compression artifacts, impacting the overall viewing experience.

The high-definition transfer manages to exhibit a satisfying level of dimensionality with a consistently clean image, though it does lack texture, and the overly digital appearance may feel sterile to some viewers. The contrast is well-balanced with impressive whites that appear crisp and vibrant. However, black levels tend to fluctuate, achieving excellent differentiation in some scenes while appearing dull in others, particularly during darker sequences. Primary colors are dynamic, adding vibrancy and grounding the visual presentation. Details are razor-sharp, revealing fine textures and minute facial features clearly, although the special effects sequences reveal their lower quality, slightly detracting from the high-definition experience.

In summary, the Blu-ray presentation of "Army of Frankensteins" delivers commendable sharpness and detail with a balanced and vibrant colored palette, yet it occasionally falters during night scenes and with certain visual effects. Despite its digital sterility, the transfer maintains an overall clean and crisp visual quality that holds up well against contemporary standards.

The audio presentation of "Army of Frankensteins" on Blu-ray is facilitated by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that offers a moderately immersive experience. While the discrete placement of sound effects, particularly during battle scenes, stands out, the overall sound design tends to be front-heavy. Dialogue prioritization occasionally suffers due to busy sound design choices, resulting in moments where spoken words are overshadowed by the surrounding cacophony. Fidelity is acceptable though not exceptional, and the dynamic range is relatively broad, providing a discernible depth for critical listening scenarios.

Scream Factory supplements this with two DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks, available in stereo and 5.1 surround sound. Both tracks serve their purpose sufficiently, but they lack a degree of character that would elevate the listening experience. The soundscape offers decent imaging with strong channel separation and effective movement across channels; however, it falls short in mid-range distinction. The overall mix presents a uniform and sometimes bland auditory experience, with dialogue often appearing flat and slightly detached from the accompanying visual elements. Notably, the bass performance is authoritative during action sequences, adding a layer of depth to the musical score. Ambient effects achieve a broader soundfield through the rear speakers, though some effects come off as artificial and forced, at times drawing undue attention to themselves.

In summary, while the audio design is competent, it does not deliver a particularly engaging or distinctive auditory experience. Both the DTS-HD 5.1 and stereo tracks offer adequate performance, but with notable limitations that prevent them from achieving higher levels of immersion and realism.

The Blu-ray of "Army of Frankensteins" offers a concise selection of extras, delivering quality yet limited additional content. While the technical aspects are solid, providing clear visuals and reliable transfer, the package feels somewhat lacking in depth and variety, with an emphasis heavily placed on its core feature film rather than supplementary materials. Enthusiasts looking for detailed behind-the-scenes insights or extended featurettes may find the content sparse. The highlight remains the original trailer, providing a nostalgic glimpse into the film's promotional material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: The film's original promotional trailer.

"Army of Frankensteins" presents itself as an ambitious, low-budget concoction featuring a time-traveling protagonist, Alan Jones (Jordan Farris), who inadvertently lands in the Civil War era, finding himself amidst battles complicated by an army of Frankenstein creatures. While the premise holds promise for an exciting horror-comedy, the execution falters significantly. The film's attempt to weave together elements of horror, comedy, and historical fiction results in a disjointed narrative that lacks both genuine scares and humor. The production value reveals its micro-budget origins, marked by unconvincing special effects and inexperienced performances. However, the editing remains surprisingly fluid, albeit punctuated by occasional hiccups.

Despite—or perhaps because of—its numerous shortcomings, "Army of Frankensteins" captures a peculiar charm typical of earnest yet poorly executed indie films. The faulty CGI and cartoonish gore effects stand out starkly against the backdrop of awkwardly staged dramatic scenes. This juxtaposition often results in inadvertently comical moments, rather than the intended horror-comedy blend. The film's most significant flaw lies in its amateurish acting; Jordan Farris's Alan Jones is bumbly and unconvincing, contributing to the film's overall feel of a well-intentioned student project rather than a polished cinematic experience.

Engagement with "Army of Frankensteins" hinges on the viewer’s appreciation for films that are "so bad, they're good." The earnest ambition behind the production is palpable, rendering it enjoyable to those who can appreciate its unintentional humor and endearing flaws. While it may not satisfy fans seeking a genuinely thrilling or hilarious ride, the film’s sheer absurdity—bolstered by historically inaccurate but creatively free-wheeling storytelling—offers a unique viewing experience that sets it apart from intentionally lowbrow fare like "Sharknado." The sincerity driving this project underscores its appeal, turning an otherwise laughably bad film into a surprisingly entertaining watch.

"Army of Frankensteins" is an indie horror film infused with historical and sci-fi elements, though it stumbles in several critical areas. The movie's narrative is plagued by clunky writing and inconsistent performances that struggle to engage the audience. Despite these drawbacks, the film does occasionally deliver scenic visuals and some competent special effects, particularly in its makeup department. Technically speaking, the Blu-ray offers satisfactory performance in terms of audio and video presentation, though it doesn't stand out as exemplary.

The production value on display is mixed, with some scenes shot in and around Oklahoma City standing out for their authenticity and charm. The special effects vary wildly in quality, at times dipping into hilariously bad territory, which may or may not add to the movie's "so bad it's good" charm for some viewers. While the acting is often wince-inducing and far from convincing, there is an underlying sense of enthusiasm that can be somewhat endearing for those looking for a lighter, less serious horror venture.

The Blu-ray release of "Army of Frankensteins" presents an overall adequately clean digital audio and video experience. However, it fails to offer substantial supplemental content that could enhance the buying experience. Ultimately, this Blu-ray package serves more as a curiosity or fleeting rental rather than a must-own piece.

The Frankenstein monster(s), if not the devil himself, is in the details, and "Army of Frankensteins" simply can't overcome some pretty clunky writing and not quite ready for prime time performances. The film is often surprisingly scenic, and some of the special effects and makeup work is reasonably effective. Technical merits are generally fine for those considering a purchase.