Day of the Dead Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray transfer of "Day of the Dead" at 1080p with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio represents a notable improvement over previous standard-definition versions, providing fans a much-needed upgrade. The image, encoded via MPEG-4, benefits from enhanced clarity and color, particularly in the gore, which now appears more intensely bloody due to sharper detail and deeper saturation of reds. Skin tones remain natural amidst the visceral chaos, and the transfer brings out details previously masked, such as the nuanced differences in the shades of red and the intricacies of decomposition. However, the film retains a slightly soft picture throughout, with grain significantly reduced but not entirely eradicated. The print shows minimal signs of age or damage, ensuring a clear viewing experience despite these minor imperfections.

Notwithstanding these improvements, several technical issues persist. There's a noticeable edge enhancement and noise in darker scenes, especially noticeable in the underground tunnels where blacks can appear inconsistent and sometimes too dirty, affecting the image's stability. Contrast levels also fluctuate, causing whites to bloom in certain scenes, which detracts from the overall visual depth and leaves the image feeling somewhat flat. Remarkably, these problems do not detract significantly from the overall upgrade this Blu-ray presents. Gore enthusiasts will particularly appreciate the enhanced detail in the film's more gruesome sequences.

Despite its shortcomings, such as speckles over the opening credits and occasional softness, this release is an essential update for fans. While some crushed blacks and a general two-dimensionality might not meet the highest standards set by more modern catalog titles in high definition, the transfer exhibits vibrant colors and improved detail that breathe new life into Romero's classic. Ultimately, while it may not compete with the pinnacle of Blu-ray transfers available today, "Day of the Dead" on Blu-ray offers a significant visual upgrade that fans of this cult favorite will find worth the investment.

The audio presentation of "Day of the Dead" on Blu-ray leaves a lot to be desired, particularly when it comes to its PCM 5.1 surround track (48kHz/16-Bit/4.6Mbps) and the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix (640 kbps). Both these tracks suffer from significant issues that detract from the viewing experience. Among these issues are an unrealistic soundscape with misdirected sound elements and a disturbing lack of immersive qualities, particularly a disappointing utilization of the rears which could have enhanced echoing effects in the cave scenes or added depth to gunshots. Ambiance in the multichannel mixes often feels stagey, with the LFE channel underperforming and treble tones occasionally drowned out by the synthesized music score, undermining the potential for a truly engaging audio experience.

Despite the presence of decent bass and moments where zombie groans penetrate effectively, the remixes essentially fail to utilize directionality to any notable extent, leading to a flattening of the film's audio dimension. Sound effects and dialogue, although crisp and natural when not overwhelmed by the music, find themselves competing against an overpowering score. This imbalance further emphasizes the shortcomings in dynamic range and surround presence, failing to capture the film's atmospheric potential or enhance its tension-filled sequences adequately.

Conversely, the original mono track (192 kbps) stands out as the preferred option, delivering a more authentic and balanced audio presentation. Dialogue is clean, clear, and well-prioritized, while gunfires pack a punch without being overshadowed. The mono mix maintains a more faithful alignment with the filmmaker’s original vision, offering an experience that, while plain, proves more effective and enjoyable than its multi-channel counterparts. In light of these observations, it becomes evident that sometimes simplicity outperforms complexity, particularly when the execution of the latter falls short of its intended immersive impact.

The Blu-ray release of "Day of the Dead" impresses with a comprehensive compilation of extras, adding depth and context to George Romero's zombie classic. The standout feature is the commentary track by Romero, Savini, Cardille, and Anderson, which, despite not revealing much beyond the documentary "The Many Days Of Day Of The Dead," offers an engaging insight into the film's production. The documentary itself stands as a robust exploration of the film's journey from conception to reception, enriched by diverse contributions from the cast and crew. However, Roger Avary's commentary track falls flat, providing little substance or relevance. "Day Of The Dead: Behind The Scenes" provides a gritty, unpolished look at Savini's groundbreaking special effects work, encapsulating the film's visceral appeal. Richard Liberty's audio interview brings personal anecdotes and memories, adding a poignant touch to the extras. Overall, while not every feature hits the mark, the package collectively enhances the appreciation of Romero's vision, albeit missing some finer details and content from previous releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Romero, Savini, Cardille, and Anderson: A must-listen for fans, offering interesting tidbits.
• Commentary with Roger Avary: Lacks depth and engagement.
• The Many Days Of Day Of The Dead: Comprehensive documentary covering the film's production.
• Day Of The Dead: Behind The Scenes: Candid look at the film's makeup effects.

George A. Romero's "Day of the Dead," third in his iconic undead trilogy, elicits divisive reactions, challenging its predecessors' acclaim while boldly delivering its dark, introspective narrative. The film delves into a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is a vestige, outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the relentless dead. Our bleak journey unfolds in an underground military complex, the last bastion for a group of survivors torn between militaristic destruction and the scientific pursuit for answers. Among the grim tapestry of characters, the standout is Bub (Howard Sherman), a zombie showing unprecedented signs of cognition and emotion, stealing every scene he's part of. While Joe Pilato's Captain Rhodes encapsulates the unchecked militaristic fervor, Richard Liberty's Dr. Logan represents the obsessive quest for understanding, both delivering performances that resonate with the themes of power and desperation.

The narrative, though criticized for its unrelenting grimness and at times caricatured portrayals, brings to the fore Romero's critique of societal structures – military, science, and human nature itself. The underground setting mirrors the characters' moral and existential entrapment, underscoring the film's exploration of dehumanization in the face of survival. "Day of the Dead" stands as a bold reflection on conflict resolution and understanding the 'other,' a theme that transcends its 1985 release, finding relevance in contemporary political discourse.

Technically, Romero’s craftsmanship shines through despite budgetary constraints, with practical effects by Tom Savini outclassing CGI counterparts and lending visceral authenticity to the gore. The film, though falling short of the critical success seen in "Night of the Living Dead" and "Dawn of the Dead," secures its place as a compelling study of humanity at its breaking point. Its message, punctuated by Bub’s character arc and heartbreaking humanity, reverberates long after the credits roll, cementing "Day of the Dead" as a polarizing yet integral chapter in Romero’s undead anthology.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Day of the Dead" offers both improvements and letdowns, capturing the attention of fans and completists alike. The video quality clearly outshines its DVD counterpart, presenting the infamous gore and visual effects with greater clarity and color accuracy, though it fails to reach the pinnacle of what has been achieved in catalog transfers. The audio experience, unfortunately, does not mirror this enhancement. Both the PCM and Dolby Digital surround tracks, aimed at augmenting the film's original monaural sound, fall short of expectations, lacking the convincing depth and ambiance that aficionados might hope for in a high-definition upgrade. Nevertheless, the package is bolstered by a substantial array of supplemental materials transferred from previous releases, alongside the addition of Blu-ray exclusive Fast Film Facts, making it an enticing pick for the dedicated followers and those intrigued by the film's special effects and historical context.

Despite its shortcomings in audio fidelity, this release does not skimp on content. It retains most of the compelling extras from the Divimax double-disc edition, including two enlightening documentaries that delve deep into the making and impact of this cult classic. This aspect, coupled with the video upgrade, makes it a worthwhile acquisition for those who hold a special place for "Day of the Dead" in their horror collection or wish to experience George A. Romero's visceral zombie narrative with enhanced visual detail.

In conclusion, while this Blu-ray edition of "Day of the Dead" might not dazzle across all technical aspects—particularly in audio—it stands as a solid choice for enthusiasts keen on revisiting one of Romero's gruesomely imaginative worlds in higher quality than ever before. The substantial video improvement and thorough inclusion of special features offer enough incentive for fans to consider upgrading or adding this version to their collection, despite its audio drawbacks.