The Lazarus Effect Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Lazarus Effect," courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, showcases the film in an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Shot on the high-definition Sony CineAlta camera system, the digital source allows for a display with incredible sharpness and clarity notably appreciated in its meticulous detail capture—from the intricacies of facial complexions, showing every pore and wrinkle, to the subtle textures of clothing and the detailed design of the laboratory equipment. Despite its lower budget and heavy reliance on shadowy environs—likely to conceal cost constraints—the image maintains commendable shadow detail, though it suffers from occasional inconsistency in the black levels, showing depth in most parts yet falling flat in some sequences.

Color reproduction on this presentation strikes a commendable balance, with primaries showcasing a vivid zest and secondaries contributing to lifelike and full-bodied skin tones. The contrast and brightness calibration ensures a cinematic visual appeal, adorned with crisp whites and a competent shadow delineation throughout the film's run. There’s a specific note on sequences treated for distinctive effects, such as found footage moments and a particular journey to hell, where the imagery is intentionally skewed—either by aggressive grading or tweaked for effect—resulting in slight deviations from the overall clarity and intentional highlights clipping.

In terms of technical specifications, encoded at MPEG-4 AVC with a bitrate of 33 MBPS and a resolution of 1080p, the transfer excels in presenting details and texture with an enviable depth of field effect, especially evident in its lab environment settings. Blacks are described as deep and inky, enhancing the film’s darker scenes without issue. The color palette enjoys moments of vibrant expression, contributing to the visual dynamism of the film. Flesh tones are reported as accurate, reinforcing the naturalistic portrayal of characters. Moreover, the visual presentation is free from common image issues like compression problems, noise, or artifacts, ensuring a clean and immersive viewing experience for the audience.

The Lazarus Effect's Blu-ray audio presentation via its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is a robust testament to the horror and science fiction genre's auditory demands. With a track that delivers a palpable atmosphere of suspense, its lossless audio impresses with exceptional fidelity and a wide dynamic range that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Notably, the audio design excels in creating startling moments with minimal visual cues, thanks in part to precise sound effects placement across the surround channels. Despite the film’s setting in the restrictive confines of a laboratory, the soundscape is far from constricted, providing a well-rendered and prioritized dialogue amidst effects-laden scenes. The low frequency extension is aggressively utilized to amplify scares, ensuring the LFE channel contributes significantly to the suspense.

Conversely, while the overall engagement of the surround channels occasionally feels underutilized with few moments exhibiting remarkable activity, when employed, atmospherics emerge discrete with fluid panning that augments the immersive experience. The soundstage at the front remains expansive throughout, with imaging that demonstrates outstanding channel separation and balance. This setup facilitates an almost tangible wall of sound that seamlessly transitions across the screen, bolstering the film's haunting ambience. Moreover, the mid-range is dynamic, capturing even the faintest noises with clarity, and the low-end provides a substantial punch that enriches the suspenseful narrative without overshadowing the clear and intelligible dialogue.

In sum, The Lazarus Effect’s audio presentation is a compelling mix of intense low-frequency effects and detailed soundstage dynamics. Although opportunities for more consistent engagement of the surround channels exist, the meticulous balance and clarity across all aspects of the audio track ensure a deeply engaging and unnerving viewing experience. The dedication to auditory scares is evident, with each element from dialogue reproduction to surround sound presentation curated to enhance the horror experience, making it clear that no expense was spared in trying to scare the audience.

The extra features of "The Lazarus Effect" Blu-ray present a succinct but informative collection that delves into the film's development and thematic undertones, although it might leave enthusiasts craving for more. Noteworthy is the "Creating Fear: The Making of The Lazarus Effect," which offers an in-depth look at the cast and crew's experiences, the authenticity of the medical aspects discussed within the film through consultations with experts, and a glimpse into real-life research that mirrors the movie's plot. Meanwhile, "Playing God: The Moral Dilemma" skims the surface of the ethical debates surrounding the film's core themes without diving too deep, serving more as a supplementary EPK piece than a thorough discussion. Deleted and extended scenes provide a quick peek at what didn't make the final cut, enriching the narrative for die-hard fans. Though the extras are limited, they provide a satisfactory behind-the-scenes look for those fascinated by the film's premise and production.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted and Extended Scenes: A compilation of scenes not included in the final theatrical release.

• Creating Fear: The Making of The Lazarus Effect: An in-depth featurette exploring the making of the film, including cast and crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

• Playing God: The Moral Dilemma: Interviews and discussions about the ethical questions and real-world scientific research related to the film's themes.

• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for the movie.

The Lazarus Effect" delves into the age-old narrative of life after death and human resurrection, artfully interweaving elements from the iconic tale of Frankenstein with contemporary scientific exploration. Directed by David Gelb, known for "Jiro Dreams of Sushi," the film stylistically navigates the boundaries between science fiction and horror. The premise centralizes around a serum, aptly named Lazarus—after the biblical figure resurrected by Jesus—developed by a team of scientists led by Frank (Mark Duplass) and Zoe (Olivia Wilde). Their initial aim to provide critical medical interventions morphs into a nightmarish scenario when attempts at reanimation bring unforeseen consequences. The technical aspect of the movie, including unique camera work and visual effects, crafts an atmosphere brimming with tension and potential horror, particularly showcased in a scene featuring a resurrected dog displaying unnerving behavior.

However, despite the film's polished cinematography and compelling thematic core—addressing the moral and ethical implications of tampering with life and death—the execution falters, leaning heavily on conventional scare tactics rather than exploring the profundity of its premise. The narrative, while engaging with speculative ideas surrounding consciousness and the afterlife, ultimately succumbs to predictability and the overuse of genre clichés. Conflicted between its identity as a thought-provoking sci-fi thriller and a suspenseful horror flick, "The Lazarus Effect" struggles to fulfill either role satisfactorily. It occasionally hints at deeper explorations into the human psyche, spirituality, and scientific hubris but fails to fully realize these elements before reverting to formulaic plot progressions.

Critically, the movie draws parallels to its predecessors in the genre, such as "Flatliners" and "Hollow Man," but lacks the innovation or narrative coherence to stand apart. Despite strong performances, especially from Wilde, the character development is hindered by superficial dialogues and a plot that oscillates between scientific inquiry and supernatural mayhem without a clear direction. The film’s conclusion, predictable and yet underwhelming, leaves an open door for potential sequels, albeit without laying a compelling groundwork to justify further exploration. "The Lazarus Effect" exemplifies a missed opportunity to deeply engage with its rich thematic potential, instead opting for a safe traversal of well-trodden paths in the horror and science fiction landscapes.

The Lazarus Effect" attempts to blend style and substance, bringing together a cast ready to delve into its horror-sci-fi premise, yet it falls short of delivering the impactful punch it promises. Despite the efforts of Olivia Wilde and Mark Duplass to elevate the material, the film gets bogged down by a predictable screenplay that leans heavily on standard tropes rather than genuine scares, making it a less compelling experience than the classics it seems to draw inspiration from. On the side of technical execution, the Blu-ray presentation shines, featuring excellent audio and video quality that showcases the film’s polished visuals and atmospheric sound design, albeit in a narrative that struggles to thoroughly terrify.

The supplemental material provided with the Blu-ray release does little to add depth or value, presenting a collection of extras that might leave fans wanting more. This aspect contributes to a sense of incompleteness around the whole package, almost relegating it to the 'rental' category for those whose curiosity might peak. Despite its sleek cinematography and some effectively chilling moments, director David Gelb's venture into the ethics of human resurrection and its monstrous consequences doesn’t manage to break new ground or sustain a pervasive sense of horror, sidestepping any profound exploration of its thematic potential.

Concluding, "The Lazarus Effect" serves as a mixed bag that combines high-quality technical specs on Blu-ray with an underwhelming narrative execution. While visually stunning and audibly impeccable, the film and its incoherent bonus features do not entirely justify a purchase. Instead, it stands as a curious exploration into horror-science fiction that might appeal to genre enthusiasts for its initial concept and cast performance but ultimately fails to live up to its full potential.