Monkey Shines Blu-ray Review

Scream Factory's Blu-ray presentation of Monkey Shines delivers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, boasting significant improvements on past releases. The film elements are generally in very good condition, though minor issues such as occasional flecks, specks, and dust are present. The image maintains a natural, organic look, though it suffers from varying degrees of grain that at times can be quite heavy. Close-ups exhibit impressive detail, revealing makeup blemishes and individual hairs on the actors’ faces as well as the monkey's.

The color palette predominantly features browns and oranges, with occasional hints of green, blue, and red. While colors are accurate, they lack the vividness that one might expect, and flesh tones occasionally appear slightly pink or brighter than normal. Black levels are deep and consistent, adding to the overall contrast which is well-established throughout the film. Despite the slight softness and lack of depth in some scenes, this presentation of Monkey Shines remains a notable improvement over previous versions.

The audio presentation of "Monkey Shines" on Blu-ray showcases notable DTS-HD Master Audio mixes in both 2.0 and 5.1 configurations. The 5.1 mix particularly excels in reproducing the film's intricate sound effects while enhancing the low-end for David Shire's enthralling score, creating an immersive audio environment. The fidelity is superb, with an expansive dynamic range that ensures the sound remains rich and detailed. Dialogue is consistently clean and well-articulated across both audio setups, maintaining clarity without any noticeable issues or distortions.

The sound transfer significantly improves upon previous releases, presenting a cleaner and more refined audio experience. While the 5.1 mix tends to be slightly front-heavy, it does offer better highs and lows, making for a more engaging listening experience. However, for those who prefer a straightforward yet clear audio track, the original 2.0 mix is also excellent, ensuring that dialogue, score, and sound effects blend seamlessly. The 5.1 mix provides impressive directionality and envelopment, from eerie ambient noises to the chattering of monkeys, all resonating with depth and robustness.

Overall, both DTS-HD Master Audio options are expertly executed, with the 5.1 mix being particularly recommended for its ability to augment the film's atmospheric qualities and bring greater life to Shire's suspenseful score. Clear dialogue devoid of any faults such as cracking or hissing completes this high-quality audio presentation, ensuring that viewers attain a top-tier auditory experience that enhances the overall viewing pleasure of "Monkey Shines."

The Blu-Ray extras for "Monkey Shines" offer an in-depth and comprehensive look into the film's production, accompanied by insightful commentary and vintage material. Highlights include a detailed making-of documentary, "An Experiment in Fear," featuring extensive cast and crew interviews, and revealing behind-the-scenes footage. George A. Romero's audio commentary provides a candid reflection on his original vision and the final film. Additionally, an alternate ending, deleted scenes, and vintage promotional reels enrich the viewer's understanding of the movie's creation and evolution. The still gallery and trailers further enhance the retrospective experience, making this a significant compilation for both fans and aficionados of the genre.

Extras included in this disc:

• An Experiment in Fear: The Making of 'Monkey Shines': In-depth documentary with interviews, on-set footage, and clips.
• Audio Commentary with George Romero: Insightful reflections and behind-the-scenes stories by the director.
• Alternate Ending: A different conclusion worth watching.
• Deleted Scenes: Short scenes cut for timing and pacing.
• Vintage Making Of 'Monkey Shines': Promo reel from the film's original release.
• Vintage Interviews and News Feature: Interviews and news reports from the film's release.
• Still Gallery: Slideshow of monkey models and behind-the-scenes images.
• Trailers and TV Spot: Compilation of promotional trailers.

"Monkey Shines," directed by George A. Romero, is a fascinating exploration of psychological horror intertwined with traditional horror motifs. The narrative revolves around Alan Mann, portrayed by Jason Beghe, a quadriplegic athlete who forms a psychic bond with a genetically enhanced helper monkey named Ella. The union becomes a conduit for Mann’s suppressed anger and resentment, leading to a series of murders. Although Romero's vision was altered by Orion Pictures, the film still maintains a moody, suspenseful ambiance, reflecting the director’s knack for creating palpable tension.

The film functions on multiple levels, resembling a post-modern take on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." It effectively denotes the internal battle within Mann, marked by his frustration over his newfound limitations. The genetic enhancement of Ella introduces an element of sinister unpredictability as she becomes increasingly possessive and violent. Despite some pacing issues and extraneous subplots—like Geoffrey Fisher’s dubious activities and the introduction of Melanie, a new helper—the psychological complexity adds depth to the narrative, showcasing a more nuanced horror than Romero’s typical fare.

The studio’s interference, especially with changes to the film's ending, compromises Romero’s intended narrative structure, resulting in a film that feels fragmented at times. Nevertheless, the acting performances are stellar across the board, and the suspenseful elements remain intact. The film also notably incorporates a rare depiction of an intimate scene involving a quadriplegic character, pushing boundaries for its time. While not Romero’s crowning achievement, "Monkey Shines" remains an intriguing and psychologically rich addition to his body of work.

"Monkey Shines" presents an intriguing but uneven horror experience, deftly helmed by George Romero. The film's central relationship between Beghe and a capuchin monkey starts off charming but spirals into increasingly unsettling and dark territory, making it psychologically compelling. However, the pacing issues and lack of substantial scares, unusual for a Romero project, somewhat dilute its potential. Notwithstanding these shortcomings, the exploration of dark psychological themes ensures that it remains interesting, even if not fully realized in its horror execution.

Technically, the Blu-ray transfer offers a noticeable improvement over previous releases, albeit falling short of reference-quality standards. The video presentation, while decent, is overshadowed by superior audio quality that admirably captures the film's atmospherics. The supplementary content is a significant highlight: it includes a revealing commentary by Romero moderated by Stuart Feedback Andrews, an insightful documentary on the making of the film, deleted scenes, an alternate ending, behind-the-scenes footage, and a variety of vintage promotional materials. Collectively, these extras provide a comprehensive look at the film's production and contextual background.

In conclusion, "Monkey Shines" never quite achieves its intended visceral impact but its unique psychological nuances and compelling interplay between the lead actor and the monkey make it worth exploring. The Blu-ray release, bolstered by strong technical merits and a robust set of special features, is likely to satisfy both hardcore fans and newcomers with an interest in George Romero’s work. Overall, "Monkey Shines" is not flawless but offers enough redeeming qualities to warrant a recommendation.