Jennifer 8 Blu-ray Review
Special Edition
Score: 71
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
A nice upgrade with improved A/V presentation and new extras; extended cut adds little to the original, making it a niche '90s thriller at its core.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 79
Jennifer 8's Blu-ray edition showcases an impressive 2023 4K restoration from the original camera negative, delivering enhanced detail, texture, and deep blacks in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 remix, derived from the original Dolby Stereo, enriches atmospheric ambience, maintaining whisper-soft dialogues amid environmental surround effects.
Audio: 76
The Blu-ray of 'Jennifer 8' offers a solid DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo track and an immersive DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround mix, which enhances atmospheric elements like rain and doors. Dialogue clarity varies, with the 2.0 often outperforming the 5.1. Christopher Young's score is notable across both, elevating the auditory experience.
Extra: 53
The Blu-ray of "Jennifer 8" offers an engaging experience with a new 4K restoration and two film cuts, including a never-before-seen alternate ending. A retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Bruce Robinson and stars enhances the cinematic exploration, although the alternate cut mainly differs in its ending.
Movie: 57
Jennifer 8, a moody yet flawed 90s thriller featuring Andy Garcia and Uma Thurman, grapples with captivating performances and Conrad Hall's stunning cinematography but struggles under Paramount’s creative constraints and a lumbering script. Despite uneven execution, it offers moments of tension and a stylish visual appeal, with a Blu-ray release presenting an extended cut for fans.
Video: 79
The Blu-ray presentation of "Jennifer 8," delivered via Scream Factory's Special Edition, capitalizes on a fresh 4K restoration sourced from the original 35mm negative, ensuring an impressive visual experience. Presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the transfer offers remarkable clarity and texture, manifesting particularly in long shots and facial details. The MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 hosts both Theatrical and Extended Cuts, each sporting an average video bitrate of nearly 35 Mbps. The restoration brings vibrant colors to life, perfectly complementing the film's late-year setting with vivid reds, blues, and yellows. Black levels are notably deep and consistent, adding an atmospheric tension to the film’s numerous shadowy scenes. Flesh tones are realistic and natural without tipping into oversaturation.
The transfer showcases fine film grain that preserves the film's authentic cinematic feel, with no intrusive noise or excessive digital noise reduction. While the color palette retains a muted tone—reflective of the film's Northern Californian rainy backdrop—detail remains abundant, particularly in dimly lit interiors. The visual quality represents a significant improvement over past releases, including the Paramount LaserDisc version and the previous Warner Blu-ray from 2013.
Furthermore, standard-definition inserts for the Extended Cut carry a lower bitrate, yet they blend relatively seamlessly into the overall sharp presentation. Comparatively brighter and more color-consistent than older formats like LaserDisc, the Scream Factory edition is lauded for its accurate representation of the original cinematography by Robinson and Conrad L. Hall. This Blu-ray release effectively enhances the viewer's engagement while preserving the integrity of the source material.
Audio: 76
The Blu-ray release of "Jennifer 8" provides a solid auditory experience, offering both a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround remix and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo track. The 5.1 Surround mix, with its bit rate of 3743 kbps and 24-bit depth, excels in creating an immersive environment, making effective use of the rear and satellite speakers. This is particularly noticeable during scenes involving environmental effects like rainfall and marauding wind, adding depth and realism to the on-screen events. Conversely, the 2.0 Stereo track, though robust, primarily emphasizes dialogue clarity and might present better vocal intelligibility compared to the 5.1 mix.
There are noticeable dialogues-related issues, especially with Andy Garcia's delivery, which is described as mumbled and slurred, affecting plot comprehension, particularly noted in various print outlets like the Asbury Park Press and the Winston-Salem Journal. However, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track seemingly handles dialogue with slightly better articulation, although it remains a persistent issue across formats.
Christopher Young's original score, recorded at the Skywalker Scoring Stage, is a highlight, benefiting greatly from the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track's dynamic range and channel balance, effectively enveloping the viewer in the film's suspenseful atmosphere. Notably, the Extended Cut of the film is limited to a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo mix (1964 kbps, 24-bit), lacking the additional surround capabilities, which limits the viewer's experience to stereo sound. Both cuts include optional English SDH subtitles, aiding in addressing any auditory comprehension challenges.
Extras: 53
The Blu-ray extras for "Jennifer 8" offer a remarkable dive into the film's production with a focus on technical and narrative insights. The standout is the retrospective documentary "Is It Dark Yet? Looking Back at Jennifer 8," where writer/director Bruce Robinson, along with stars Andy Garcia and Lance Henriksen, provide candid reflections on the film's creation process, studio challenges, and character development. This feature richly details the contributions of key cast and crew members, enhancing appreciation for the film's craftsmanship. Complementing this is an alternate cut with a new ending, adding intrigue for collectors and fans curious about alternate narrative directions. Though notable, this alternate ending doesn’t significantly alter the film’s original impact. A deleted alternate ending and the original theatrical trailer round out the extras, offering compelling insights for both longtime fans and those newly discovering the film.
Extras included in this disc:
- Is It Dark Yet? Looking Back at Jennifer 8: Retrospective with new interviews featuring Bruce Robinson, Andy Garcia, and Lance Henriksen.
- Alternate Cut: Includes a never-before-seen alternate ending.
- Deleted Alternate Ending: Presented in HD/SD with stereo sound.
- Original Theatrical Trailer: Upscaled to 1080p, in anamorphic widescreen.
Movie: 57
"Jennifer 8," directed by Bruce Robinson, stands as a testament to the early '90s wave of serial killer thrillers. Featuring a commendable cast, including Andy Garcia and Uma Thurman in pivotal roles, the film attempts to delve into the intricacies of psychological tension and romance. Garcia plays the burnt-out LAPD Sgt. John Berlin, who transitions to a tranquil town, only to be drawn into a serial killer investigation involving blind women. Thurman plays Helena, a blind musician who becomes the next potential victim, sparking both protective instincts and romantic feelings in Berlin. The cast shines, especially Thurman and the briefly featured John Malkovich, adding depth with their performance despite the film’s constraints.
The production faced numerous setbacks, not least of which was Paramount's frequent management changes, leading to substantial cuts and creative disagreements with Robinson. Originally envisioned as a deeper exploration of character dynamics and suspense, the movie suffered from scenes being truncated, thus disjointing the narrative flow. Consequently, while some parts of the film exude tension, such as certain intense set pieces enhanced by Christopher Young’s score, other sections falter due to predictability and lack of originality in plot progression.
Technically, the film excels with Conrad Hall’s outstanding cinematography, vividly capturing the atmospheric misty "by the bay" noir aesthetic, which complements the slow-building tension. Despite these visual and auditory strengths, "Jennifer 8" struggles to fully realize its potential as its script fails to maintain intrigue after establishing key characters and scenarios. Overall, while the film offers moments of style and suspense buoyed by top-tier performances and visuals, it remains hampered by its unpolished narrative execution. The Blu-ray version includes an extended edition with an alternate ending offering minor variances but suffers from lower quality elements, allowing audiences to glimpse what might have been a more rounded film experience.
Total: 71
The Blu-ray release of "Jennifer 8" by Shout Studios is a welcome upgrade from its previous iterations, providing enthusiasts with a nuanced viewing experience. This Collector’s Edition includes a slightly enhanced visual detail thanks to the new 4K scan and offers a collection of fresh extras that will satisfy fans. The inclusion of an extended cut with an alternate ending provides an intriguing, albeit not transformative, addition to the original theatrical narrative. While the additional footage and new ending offer some novel intrigue, the alterations remain largely tangential, occasionally feeling redundant without significantly elevating the film's original craftsmanship.
Visually, the transfer maintains natural and consistent skin tones, with some noticeable deviations in how characters' complexions were previously portrayed. The DTS-HD MA audio tracks in both 5.1 and 2.0 formats ensure a rich auditory experience. Additionally, the release is augmented by insightful interviews with key figures including director Bruce Robinson and actors Andy Garcia and Lance Henriksen, providing fans with deeper insights into the film’s production nuances.
Overall, "Jennifer 8" retains its status as a curious 90s thriller highlighted by its atmospheric tension and a proficient cast. The disc emerges as an admirable addition to physical media collections, particularly for fans who appreciate its peculiar charm and thrilling narrative despite its uneven execution. The new Collector's Edition by Scream Factory is especially recommended for those intent on revisiting or collecting this distinctive piece of cinema history, though it remains a niche choice best appreciated by fans familiar with its idiosyncrasies.
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 90
The track can be a bit softer and more languid than I remembered, but that is mainly due to the fact that everyone speaks in whispers and soft undertones except for a few short action sequences....
Audio: 80
Extras: 60
• NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE (2023) • NEW Two Cuts Of The Film, Including A Never-Before-Seen Alternate Ending • NEW "Is It Dark Yet?"...
Movie: 50
Paramount themselves weren’t wild about the film either, forcing tons of cuts and edits to Robinson’s original cut, and what we have here is a film that makes sense MOST of the time, but leaves out so...
Total: 70
The Shout Studios disc is a nice upgrade over the 2013 Blu-ray, giving us a goodly dose of new extras, a brand new cut of the film, and a slight boost in visual detail with the 4K scan that Shout has underwent....
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Stephen LarsonRead review here
Video: 80
The Widescreen Edition has been letterboxed with an aspect ratio of about 1.85:1, masking off the top and bottom of the standard version image and adding nothing to the sides....
Audio: 80
Roger Moore, then an arts reporter for the Winston-Salem (NC) Journal, had this to add about Garcia's delivery: "[The actor] mumbles and slurs his dialogue in the worst Brando fashion....
Extras: 50
NEW Deleted Alternate Ending (5:44, upconverted to 1080p) - this is the same alternate ending that appears in the Extended Cut of the film....
Movie: 70
David Kronke of the Los Angeles Daily News thought the film succeeded in large part to Robinson: "It's one of the strengths of the film that Robinson introduces such queasy elements as Berlin's weird dominion...
Total: 70
While it's doubtful that we'll ever get a director's cut that recovers scenes that Robinson shot, which were left on the cutting room floor, the home video debut of the alternate ending is a welcome addition....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
For this release, fine details are excellent letting you appreciate facial features, the early 90s clothing, the set design, and some particularly gnarly details....
Audio: 80
Cops stuck in the rain looking for more body parts at a dump, the flapping doors and the creaky elevator of the institute; there are some really slick sound design moments that the 5.1 track simply handles...
Extras: 60
We get a lot of overview for the making of the film from Robinson, but also seeing Garcia and Henricksen participate is a nice touch as they explore their performances and memories making the film....
Movie: 60
Top it off with a great score from Christopher Young and you have something of a stylish entertaining thriller that isn’t the best of the genre, nor is it the worst....
Total: 80
It has a creepy atmosphere with some really slick setpieces, and solid performances from the key cast for an overall entertaining flick to watch on a cold winter night....
Director: Bruce Robinson
Actors: Andy Garcia, Uma Thurman, Lance Henriksen
PlotIn a small, bleak Northern California town, a former big-city detective, John Berlin, has moved to escape his troubled past. Working at the local police department, he hopes for a quieter life but quickly finds himself thrust into a chilling case. When a severed hand is discovered at a local dump, John is drawn into the investigation, suspecting it might belong to a missing blind woman. The case is linked to a series of murders involving blind women that have haunted the area, leading them to believe they are dealing with a serial killer. As John delves deeper, he uncovers unsettling connections and a complex trail of evidence that suggest this is not just an isolated crime.
During his investigation, John meets Helena, a young blind woman who fits the profile of the potential victims and becomes a key witness. As he tries to protect her, they develop a complicated bond, complicating his mission further as he struggles with his own personal demons. With the support of his experienced partner, John wrestles with the mounting pressure from a skeptical local law enforcement and his superiors who doubt his instincts. As he pieces together clues and navigates the tension in his new environment, he becomes determined to solve the case before more lives are lost. However, as the investigation progresses, the boundaries between truth and deception begin to blur, leading him on a dangerous path where nothing is as it seems.
Writers: Bruce Robinson
Release Date: 06 Nov 1992
Runtime: 124 min
Rating: R
Country: Canada, United States, United Kingdom
Language: English