Splice Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Splice" notably delivers a solid 1080p High Definition video quality, maintaining the movie’s original widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The overall visual experience stays true to the director's vision, reflecting a clinically sterile environment with predominant hues of blue and green. Facial features and fine object details are generally well-rendered, despite a lingering softness which occasionally detracts from the expected sharpness of such releases. Black levels are robust with a consistent layer of filmic grain, although minor crushing can be observed. Importantly, there are no significant digital artifacts, and even the movie's modestly budgeted effects sequences hold up reasonably well.

Tetsuo Nagata's cinematography, characterized by antiseptic greens and pale whites accentuated with reds in warmly lit scenes, ensures a fittingly sterile ambiance for the film’s sci-fi narrative. Detail clarity remains impressive throughout, with close-ups showcasing fine textures and clean edges, although some sequences, specifically softer scenes, may underwhelm hardcore high-definition enthusiasts. The presence of a faint but unobtrusive grain enriches the cinematic feel, persisting without causing distraction. While isolated instances of subtle artifacts and crush appear primarily in the latter parts of the film, they remain minimal and generally non-intrusive.

Notably, some banding issues emerge, particularly during black-to-gray transitions and scenes involving flashlight sweeps or gradient fades, which can detract from the viewer's immersion. Despite this, the successful rendering of special effects at HD resolution offsets potential concerns – Dren’s fluid leg movements exemplify this. Skintones adhere closely to their intended hues, slightly adjusted by the film's color palette rather than any technical flaw. Overall, "Splice" presents a polished video transfer that captures the movie’s unsettling yet mesmerizing visual aesthetic faithfully.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provided with "Splice" presents an immersive and well-balanced audio experience that is perfectly tailored to the film's unsettling tone. Dialogue remains consistently clear and centralized, ensuring intelligibility and effective emphasis on the frontal array. The soundtrack excels in ambient effects, contributing to the eerie atmosphere with sound cues representing Dren’s unpredictable movements and presence. While there are occasional punchy noises designed to heighten tension, the majority of effects lean towards subtle, atmospheric disturbances. The score by Cyrille Aufort accentuates the film's foreboding nature, effectively permeating through the surrounds and rears to create an encompassing auditory experience.

Dynamic range is well-managed; LFE support is generally subtle, baring its presence during critical moments to heighten impact without overwhelming the narrative’s understated approach. Directional audio is proficiently executed, with distinct placement of off-screen sounds enhancing spatial awareness within the viewer's listening environment. The rear speakers effectively contribute to creating a comprehensive soundfield, wrapping each scene with realistic acoustics, whether in claustrophobic interiors or desolate exterior settings. Although a few lines of dialogue might come across as dampened or slightly shrill, these instances are minor and do not detract significantly from the overall quality of the audio presentation.

In conclusion, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track of "Splice" sustains an engaging and atmospheric soundscape that complements the film’s thematic elements. Its capacity to convey both subtle ambient noise and impactful sound effects ensures that viewers are enveloped in the film’s chilling world. The seamless integration of dialogue, effects, and music showcases a meticulous audio design that engages viewers fully, making it an exemplary component of this Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "Splice" is disappointingly sparse in extras, featuring only one documentary: "A Director's Playground: Vincenzo Natali On The Set Of Splice." This 35-minute featurette offers a fairly comprehensive look behind the scenes with director Vincenzo Natali. However, presented in standard definition, it lacks the high-definition clarity expected from modern releases. The documentary includes behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew, providing insightful glimpses into the film’s production. It's unexpectedly low-key and devoid of typical fluff, but it still leaves fans longing for more content, such as audio commentaries or deleted scenes. Surprisingly, other releases like the Canadian Blu-ray have additional features, making the limited offering here especially frustrating.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Director's Playground: Vincenzo Natali On The Set Of Splice: Provides behind-the-scenes footage and insights from the director, but lacks narration and high-definition quality.

Vincenzo Natali's "Splice" brings forth a compelling yet divisive piece of cinema, blending genetic engineering and biotechnological advancements with horror and sci-fi elements. Despite its initial promise, "Splice" falls short for fans hoping for innovation beyond the genre's staples. The film navigates familiar territory, reminiscent of classics like "The Fly" and "Species," yet it struggles to grasp their profound narrative weight or entertainment value. Natali's directorial prowess, previously showcased in "Cube," seems underutilized here. The film’s high-concept premise about rogue geneticists Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) creating a human-animal hybrid named Dren (Delphine Chanéac) touches important themes like ethical boundaries and parental bonds, but often devolves into predictably illogical character decisions and trite horror tropes.

Technically, "Splice" impresses with strong backing from producer Guillermo del Toro, a decent budget, and notable CG effects. Its ability to probe deep ethical concerns around genetic manipulation, paired with Brody and Polley's performances, who convincingly navigate their roles from scientific curiosity to complex parental dynamics, offers some redeeming qualities. However, the film is marred by pacing issues and a narrative that occasionally drifts into contrived horror sequences, especially in the third act. Despite its intriguing setup, which raises philosophical questions and showcases innovative creature design, "Splice" ultimately leans on a conventional horror movie structure that feels somewhat unfulfilling.

Dren's evolution is depicted with a mix of practical effects and CGI, allowing for a gradual transition from an unsettling infant creature to a near-human adolescent. Cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata's purgatorial visuals and Cyrille Aufort's slick score contribute to the film's atmospheric tension. Yet, while Natali's ambitions are clear, the film's inconsistent tone and reliance on genre clichés detract from its potential impact, concluding with a predictable climax that may alienate as many viewers as it engrosses. "Splice" is an intriguing watch for genre enthusiasts but falls short of being a groundbreaking entry in sci-fi horror cinema.

"Splice" on Blu-ray presents a fairly solid audiovisual experience for home viewing, though it doesn’t reach exceptional quality. The video transfer is competent yet falls short of razor-sharp standards expected by modern viewers, occasionally suffering from banding issues. In contrast, the DTS-HD Master Audio track truly excels, providing an immersive soundscape that enhances the film's eerie atmosphere. However, the supplemental package is disappointingly sparse, offering only a solitary 35-minute documentary as a bonus feature.

The movie itself is an intriguing but flawed sci-fi horror that explores the ethical and emotional complexities of creating new life forms. Its initial promise and clever oedipal themes create a thought-provoking first act, but the narrative eventually succumbs to familiar horror tropes. While some viewers might appreciate its sly commentary on scientific experimentation, others could find its latter half's predictability off-putting. Director Vincenzo Natali demonstrates substantial talent, though the film ultimately falters on its potential to leap into greatness.

In conclusion, the Region Free US Blu-ray of "Splice" offers good video and audio quality and stands as a respectable purchase for fans and a worthwhile rental for intrigued sci-fi horror enthusiasts. However, don’t expect standout philosophical depth or groundbreaking horror elements. It remains an enjoyable and entertaining entry in the genre, although it might leave you wanting more from an otherwise promising concept.