John Dies at the End Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "John Dies at the End," shot digitally with Red One cameras, delivers a generally strong 1080p/AVC-encoded image. The transfer showcases commendable detail, particularly in close-ups where facial and clothing textures are finely resolved. Intricate elements like the rubber-suited monster's details are clearly visible. While the color grading maintains consistent skin tones and robust saturation, it occasionally veers off, slightly skewing into yellow in a few scenes. These minor white balance issues don't detract from the overall viewing experience. Whites are bright, blacks are deep yet not overwhelming, and highlights are managed well without appearing overblown. Source noise is minimal in brighter scenes and, although it increases in darker sequences, it never becomes harsh or overly distracting.

The 1080p/AVC-MPEG-4 transfer is displayed at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and retains a clean, grain-free appearance. Colors are rendered in strong hues, with vivid reds noticeably standing out, while inky blacks and bright whites add to the visual appeal. Textures such as clothing fabric and detailed Bible page prints attached to a bat are clearly delineated. However, the limited depth appears to be a source-related issue, and minor banding occurs briefly, such as from streetlights. Additionally, some CGI effects, like the close-up on the bullet or the morphing flies from Soy Sauce, appear unnaturally faux when viewed in high definition.

Overall, "John Dies at the End" leverages its digital capture to offer a pleasing nearly pristine visual experience on Blu-ray that fortifies its low-budget origins without significant detriments in its video delivery.

"John Dies at the End" is presented on Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, delivering a clear, dynamic, and immersive auditory experience. The majority of the audio is directed through the front speakers, yet the rear channels frequently contribute with subtle ambient effects like crickets, distant sirens, and room noise. This sound mix injects occasional dramatic effects such as the visceral impact of meat splattering or the intense explosion resulting from a car's gas tank being shot. The sound design meticulously enhances each scene with purpose, creating an atmosphere that draws viewers deeper into the film.

Composer Brian Tyler's score, including the hard rock tunes of John's band Three Arm Sally, effectively fills the surround space without overpowering the dialogue, which remains consistently clean and comprehensible throughout. Notably, the surround track also ensures ambient scenes, such as TV psychic Dr. Marconi’s phone conversation outside a building, are enriched by faint yet distinct crowd chants and foot stomps—a sound design finesse that adds significant depth. Explosions and meat monster footsteps reverberate through the subwoofer, further amplifying the film's intensity.

The disc includes English SDH and Spanish subtitles in easy-to-read white lettering, but lacks dub options. Overall, the audio mix presents all elements in a harmonious balance, demonstrating a thoughtful and engaging sound design that amplifies the onscreen action while keeping dialogue pristinely audible. This detailed blend showcases what an accomplished audio track can bring to a viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "John Dies at the End" provide a rich and varied behind-the-scenes look at the film’s production, catering to both casual viewers and hardcore fans alike. The director's commentary with Don Coscarelli, producer Brad Baruh, and stars Chase Williamson and Rob Mayes is both informative and engaging, offering insights into the making of the movie. Deleted scenes, while not adding much to the narrative, give additional context. Featurettes like "Getting Sauced" and "Creature Corps" delve into the genesis of the film and its impressive practical effects, respectively. Highlighting the casting process and an insightful Fangoria interview with Paul Giamatti adds further depth to the extras package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Don Coscarelli, Producer Brad Baruh, Chase Williamson and Rob Mayes: Insightful commentary about the making of the film.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional nine scenes providing extra context.
• Getting Sauced: The Making of John Dies at the End: A behind-the-scenes featurette on the production.
• Creature Corps: The Effects of Soy Sauce: A focus on prop and monster design.
• Casting Sessions: Early footage of actors' auditions.
• Fangoria Interview with Paul Giamatti: Giamatti discusses his involvement and passion for the genre.
• Trailer: Promotional trailer for the film.
• Books by David Wong: Promo for David Wong's sequel novel.
• Also from Magnolia Home Entertainment: Previews for other titles from Magnolia.

"John Dies at the End" is a unique horror comedy directed by Don Coscarelli, bringing together elements of absurdist sci-fi, horror, and surreal humor. The film opens with David Wong (Chase Williamson), a reluctant exorcist, grappling with a modified Theseus' Paradox, subtly infusing the narrative with a philosophical undertone. From this provocative start, the movie launches into a chaotic journey featuring ghosts, meat monsters, and organic artificial intelligence, challenging viewers to either question everything or simply embrace the absurdity. The protagonist David narrates his strange tale to journalist Arnie Blondestone (Paul Giamatti), recounting how he and his friend John (Rob Mayes) stumbled upon the mind-bending drug "Soy Sauce," which grants them extraordinary abilities like seeing inter-dimensional beings. The narrative is punctuated with bizarre and darkly comedic elements, such as communicating through a bratwurst and dealing with an explosive death.

Despite its frenetic pace and quirky charm, "John Dies at the End" suffers from some inconsistencies. While the film's practical effects are commendable, evoking a sense of nostalgia with its use of latex and rubber gore, the plot's incoherence can become a detractor. As David and John's story unfolds, they confront increasingly bizarre scenarios, including navigating parallel universes and battling a tentacled artificial intelligence. The film’s cult potential is apparent, evident in its genre-warping style reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft and William S. Burroughs, but its appeal is niche. Some may find the film’s relentless eccentricity and fragmented storyline overwhelming, diminishing its overall impact despite its rich inventiveness.

Coscarelli's direction ensures "John Dies at the End" stays engaging through its non-stop kookiness and surreal twists, but some narrative elements feel underdeveloped, leaving certain plot resolutions wanting. The eclectic mix of influences—from "Naked Lunch" to "Ghostbusters"—infuses the film with an undeniable quirky charm. However, it lacks sufficient cohesion to maintain interest throughout its runtime. While the movie teases potential for a sequel, rooted in Jason Pargin's literary universe, it may not entice viewers who are indifferent to its convoluted storytelling. Ultimately, "John Dies at the End" offers a blend of horror and comedy that is deeply original yet unevenly executed, appealing primarily to those with a taste for the unconventional.

If John Dies at the End were an acronym, it would definitely be WTF. Weird and silly and funnier than you might expect, it's another instant cult hit—if an acquired taste—from director Don Coscarelli, the odd-ball horror auteur behind Phantasm, The Beastmaster, and Bubba Ho-Tep. Fans of his previous work will definitely be on-board with the new film's tone, and the movie also seems like a detailed love letter to readers of Jason Pargin/David Wong's novel. The really strange thing is that I've read scathing reviews of the incomprehensible story and glowing praise for its out-there comic inventiveness, and both are right. This is one of those films that you take as is and enjoy for what it is. Magnolia's Blu-ray release makes this easy, with a strong audio/video presentation and a few fun extras. Recommended!

Genre comedies are hard to pull off. 'John Dies at the End' has enough ideas and zaniness that it may develop a cult following along the lines of 'The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension,' but it needed a sharper story and more engaging characters to reach 'Big Trouble in Little China' status. Fans of the movie should be happy with the Blu-ray.

"John Dies at the End" is a bizarre and hilariously unpredictable ride from Don Coscarelli, already known for cult favorites like "Phantasm" and "Bubba Ho-Tep." The film's blend of surreal horror and off-the-wall comedy resonates well with fans of Jason Pargin/David Wong's novel. While some may find the story incomprehensible, others will celebrate its comic inventiveness. The Blu-ray edition benefits from an impressive audio/visual presentation that captures every oddball detail, ensuring a satisfying viewing experience.

However, not all assessments are entirely positive. Indeed, "John Dies at the End" houses enough zany concepts to potentially gain a dedicated following similar to films like "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai." Yet, it falls short in having a coherent narrative and fully engaging characters, which prevents it from achieving the iconic status of something like "Big Trouble in Little China."

Ultimately, "John Dies at the End" is an unorthodox film that is sure to delight fans of unconventional genre comedies. Its unique charm and absurd whims will not appeal to everyone, but those who embrace its peculiarities will find much to enjoy. Magnolia's Blu-ray release enhances this experience with high-quality audio and video presentation, adding value for collectors and new viewers alike. Recommended for those who appreciate inventive storytelling and don't mind a bit of narrative chaos.