Arachnophobia Blu-ray Review

The remastered Blu-ray release of "Arachnophobia" successfully resolves issues from previous editions, offering a significantly improved viewing experience with its 1080p, AVC-encoded presentation. The initial 1999 DVD release suffered from a weak video transfer and was not optimized for 16:9 displays. More critically, the original Blu-ray pressing in 2012 had incorrect black levels, resulting in distracting artifacts, particularly in the Venezuelan sequences. However, the updated version corrects these black levels, revealing impressive detail in the countryside settings, intricate spider webs, and various costumes. Notably, the resolution is so precise that even the thin wires used by wranglers to control the spiders are discernible. While the image retains a somewhat soft look appropriate for its era—captured by Mikael Solomon—it markedly avoids the hard-edged digital aesthetic common today.

Color reproduction has also seen substantial enhancements. Previously dulled by a gray overlay, the colors now appear more saturated and true to life. The Venezuelan jungle sequences benefit immensely from this correction, with vivid greens and strikingly vibrant macaw plumage now prominently on display. One notable exception is the unusually dark opening sequence before the descent into the sinkhole, likely an artifact of the original optical superimpositions used during the credit sequence; despite this, other scenes remain visually consistent and accurate.

This improved brightness calibration does come with a minor downside—an occasional increase in visible video noise. Nonetheless, this is a minimal drawback compared to the more natural and detailed image quality achieved without resorting to overzealous filtering or noise reduction. The new digital restoration presents a clean and filmic viewing experience, with daylight exteriors appearing particularly crisp. Shadow details remain wonderfully intact in darker scenes, enhancing overall immersion, especially during the climactic third act.

Overall, "Arachnophobia" now looks excellent for its age, with Disney's corrective action ensuring that viewers receive a high-quality visual presentation free from the flat and washed-out appearance of prior releases.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of Arachnophobia, presented in English DTS-HD MA 5.1, is an impressive feat given the film's original Dolby Surround format and pre-modern surround sound era. Overall, the track delivers clear and dynamic audio, with well-rendered dialogue and effects. While it might not boast extensive bass extension or dramatic separation akin to contemporary six-track mixes, it compensates with a well-defined sense of ambiance. The film’s stealthy villains contribute to a subtle spatial experience, although the brief sequence in Venezuela does showcase striking rear channel effects that immerse the listener.

What stands out particularly is Trevor Jones' musical score, which benefits immensely from the ultra-wide soundstage, allowing individual instruments to resonate distinctly from the front and right speakers. The dynamic range is quite surprising for a film of this age, with voices and effects seamlessly panning across the front channels and from front to back, especially notable during the film’s climactic moments. The LFE channel has its moments, enhancing the impact without overwhelming bombast. However, there is a minor drawback with the dialogue; although always audible, some voices occasionally exhibit a slight scratchiness indicative of vocal fry. Despite this minor flaw, the audio performance remains robust, contributing significantly to the overall viewing experience.

The Blu-ray of "Arachnophobia" includes a concise yet engaging selection of extras that reflect the film's promotional era. While all are in standard definition and rather brief, they provide an intriguing glimpse into the movie's production and marketing strategies. The Production Featurette offers a humorous yet insightful dive into the psychology behind our fear of spiders. The Frank Marshall Featurette presents the director's perspective and highlights his approach to incorporating the arachnids into the narrative. The Venezuela Sequence gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at the location shoot, complementing the main feature's adventurous spirit. The Theatrical Trailer encapsulates the film’s unique blend of thrills and comedy, rounding out this nostalgic collection.

Extras included in this disc:

Production Featurette: Insight into making the movie and spider fear analysis. Frank Marshall Featurette: Director’s approach to the film. Venezuela Sequence: Behind the scenes of the Venezuela shoot. Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.

'Arachnophobia,' directed by Frank Marshall and produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, is a masterful blend of comedy and suspense, reminiscent of classic '80s films despite its 1990 release. Written by Don Jakoby and Wesley Strick, the film centers on Dr. Ross Jennings (Jeff Daniels), who relocates his family from San Francisco to a small Californian town only to find themselves battling an invasion of deadly spiders. The aggressive arachnids, originating from a newly discovered species in Venezuela, hitch a ride to the U.S. in a coffin and quickly establish a lethal presence in the Jennings' new residence.

The film excels in its ability to balance humor and terror, utilizing clever structural setups and payoffs that build suspense throughout. The tone, heavily influenced by Spielberg, starts quirky and lighthearted but progressively becomes more tense, echoing the narrative styles of 'Gremlins' and 'E.T.' Practical effects dominate the film, using live spiders and animatronics to create genuine and disturbing visuals that remain effective even in the pre-CGI era. Memorable performances by Jeff Daniels and John Goodman, who plays an unflappable exterminator, lend credence and relatability to the surreal events unfolding.

The film's subtext transforms typical monster movie tropes into a dark comedy where even fatal spider attacks can elicit laughter. This balance of chills and chuckles is underscored by the film's subversive sense of humor, drawing vampire parallels that elevate the creepy-crawly storyline into something more engaging. Ultimately, 'Arachnophobia' achieves a blend of nostalgia, tension, and entertainment value that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its initial release.

The recent remastered release of "Arachnophobia" on Blu-ray offers a delightful revisit to a memorable film that combines comedy and horror with skillful craftsmanship. The movie, despite its age, still manages to make audiences chuckle and shiver, tapping into the deep-seated fear of spiders with a sense of realism driven by the use of real arachnids. The charm of its big-city versus small-town clash adds to the nostalgic atmosphere, although it may come across as dated in certain moments. Yet, the authenticity of squirm-worthy scenes remains intact and convincing.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation is commendable. Boasting a vibrant, filmic image quality, the encode is impressive, avoiding any unsightly blemishes or issues often seen in older film transfers. Complementing the visual clarity is the 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack, exceeding expectations with its immersive audio experience. Though the special features are not particularly groundbreaking, they provide a welcome addition that enhances the overall package without overshadowing the main content of the film.

Disney surprised everyone by recalling "Arachnophobia" to address its issues, and address them they have. I have no hesitation recommending the remastered Blu-ray, because the film is a lot of fun, and its treatment on Blu-ray is a fine presentation for a film of this vintage. As noted in my original review, the disc has more extras than various anniversary releases of live-action films issued by Disney with much fanfare this year. Fans should be pleased. Now if we can just get Disney to do something about "The Color of Money."