Cursed Blu-ray Review

Scream Factory's Collector's Edition of "Cursed" presents a visually impressive 4K remaster from the original 35mm camera negatives. Both the 97-minute theatrical cut and the 99-minute unrated version are included, with each displayed in the original 2.40:1 aspect ratio, restoring the film’s intended widescreen presentation that prior releases lacked. The transfer is characterized by a richly saturated color palette, featuring vibrant crimson reds and lively greens. The prevalent orange-teal cinematography leans towards warm colors, such as tiger oranges and marigold yellows, complemented by vivid blue tones in nighttime scenes. Despite minimal cases of mild black crush and faint edge enhancement in some areas, the overall image quality excels, with fine details crisply delineated, maintaining a filmic texture enhanced by a consistent layer of natural grain.

The remastered transfer showcases deep, accurate black levels, while contrast remains balanced with clean whites, allowing brilliant highlights without overpowering finer details. Both video cuts maintain an impressive average bitrate of 34000 kbps, ensuring superior image stability and resolution, surpassing previous Blu-ray offerings by Echo Bridge and Alliance. The efforts made in this release to address previous aspect ratio cropping render it the definitive home video version for this cult Craven favorite, capturing both the primary colors and nuanced layers inherent in its original film stock.

Overall, this release marks a significant visual improvement over past editions, with only a few minor imperfections like infinitesimal white specks appearing occasionally. Scream Factory's meticulous restoration provides audiences with an unparalleled viewing experience of "Cursed," presenting the film as it was meant to be seen, in all its lush and detailed glory.

The Blu-ray release of "Cursed" showcases impressive audio quality, with two distinct DTS-HD Master Audio options: a robust 5.1 Surround mix for an immersive experience and a 2.0 downsampled Stereo track for more subdued settings. The 5.1 track—in both the unrated and theatrical cuts—delivers a dynamic auditory landscape. Despite moments where the dynamic range could potentially be perceived as too wide, it’s clear that the audio engineers crafted a soundfield where dialogue remains crisp and intelligible, even amidst intense action sequences. This duality, while sometimes requiring minor manual adjustments in volume, enhances the visceral impact of specific scenes like the nightclub chaos or the werewolf encounter, with effects dynamically coursing through the surround channels.

The audio presentation truly shines with its multidirectional sound effects and excellent channel balance. Across its runtime, the sound imaging is expansive, subtly spreading ambient noises through the satellite and front speakers which occasionally bleed into height, providing a nearly three-dimensional soundscape. Notably, Marco Beltrami's score maintains an intricate balance between warmth and precision, resonating throughout the front and rear channels. The low-frequency effects are sufficiently assertive to underscore crucial visual elements, although some might argue for a slightly punchier delivery during climactic moments.

In summary, this release by Scream Factory advances beyond previous home video editions in audio fidelity. The tracks exhibit commendable definition with minimal distortion artifacts such as crackling or popping, and they significantly enrich the viewing experience of this horror-comedy hybrid. The audio components, including rich dialogue reproduction and Beltrami's meticulously crafted score, come together to potentially offer the definitive sound quality for "Cursed" on home media.

The Blu-ray edition of "Cursed" by Scream Factory offers a comprehensive and intriguing collection of extras that cater to fans and cinephiles alike. Two newly recorded interviews provide insightful perspectives from stunt actor Derek Mears and editor Patrick Lussier, bringing to light the challenges and creative processes behind the film's production. These interviews delve into the intricate workings of a film marred by studio interventions and re-cuts, highlighting both personal anecdotes and technical stories. The vintage featurettes offer a commendable glimpse into the production's makeup effects and creature edits, complemented by Jesse Eisenberg's charming short film on becoming a werewolf. The commentary on select scenes by Greg Nicotero and Mears provides a detailed overview of stunts and visual effects execution, enhancing the viewer's appreciation for this troubled yet fascinating movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing: Interview with Derek Mears discussing his career and work on the film.
• A Movie That Lives Up to Its Title: Interview with Patrick Lussier on the film's production history.
• Behind the Fangs: A making-of featurette with cast interviews.
• The CURSED Effects: Exploration of the film's makeup effects.
• Becoming a Werewolf: Jesse Eisenberg-directed short about werewolf transformation.
• Creature Editing 101: Insights into film editing differences.
• Theatrical Trailer: Early teaser from Dimension/Miramax.
• Audio Commentary: Scene-specific analysis with Greg Nicotero and Derek Mears.

"Cursed" (2005), directed by Wes Craven, stands as a quintessential example of behind-the-scenes tumult manifesting on screen. Originally laden with potential to reinvent the werewolf genre akin to how "Scream" revitalized slashers, the film suffered immensely from production interference. The Weinstein brothers' involvement led to extensive reshoots and a complete overhaul of the initial screenplay by Kevin Williamson, resulting in a final product unrecognizable from its inception. The Blu-ray release offers both the PG-13 theatrical version and a slightly gorier Unrated Cut—a remnant of what might have been had studio tinkering not diluted Craven's vision. This dual presentation is housed in a collector's edition featuring a fresh 4K scan and new artwork, though the disk's technical allure cannot fully mask the film’s narrative inconsistencies.

The cast, composed of then-emerging talent such as Christina Ricci and Jesse Eisenberg, navigates through an erratic mix of horror, teen melodrama, and dark comedy. Ricci portrays Ellie, a television production assistant embroiled in romantic discord with club owner Jake, whilst Eisenberg’s Jimmy morphs from bullied teenager to swaggering hero—a transformation clouded by the film's tonal dissonance. The narrative juggles meta-commentary on horror tropes with familial allegory—although these efforts remain largely superficial, hindered by lackluster CGI replacing the practical effects glory trading Wes Craven was known for.

Despite its myriad shortcomings, "Cursed" salvages enough entertainment value—albeit of a campy nature—through its self-aware nods to genre classics and awkward yet amusing plot progressions. The film showcases a unique slice of early 2000s horror culture—a snapshot of cult potential stunted by corporate demands. While it may not rank highly within Craven's distinguished filmography, its chaotic offering provides an intriguing glimpse into what fans often dub the mythical "Craven Cut," an elusive figure promising sharper coherence and stylistic integrity.

Wes Craven's "Cursed" represents a fusion of early 2000s werewolf nostalgia and post-production complexities, forming an intriguingly imperfect cinematic experience. While it doesn't eclipse landmark werewolf films like "The Howling" or "Silver Bullet," it delivers an entertaining romp filled with quintessential early 2000s charm. The performances from Christina Ricci, Jesse Eisenberg, and Judy Greer are serviceable within its chaotic narrative structure. Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release substantially enhances the film's visual and audio fidelity, featuring a 2.39:1 AVC transfer and DTS-HD MA soundtracks that breathe new life into this cult classic.

The Blu-ray's technical delivery is complemented by an insightful collection of bonus features that explore its tumultuous production history. The release includes both theatrical and unrated cuts, with discernible stylistic differences, especially evident in effects-heavy sequences. Scream Factory maintains its reputation with high-quality video and audio presentations while adding value through new interviews and a replication of previous DVD and BD supplements. Unfortunately, the speculative "Craven Cut" remains unreleased, yet enthusiasts hold hope for its future unveiling.

In conclusion, "Cursed" is an assertive recommendation for those enamored with cult horror, especially Craven connoisseurs, despite its flaws and missed opportunities. The Blu-ray serves as a definitive version for collectors, offering an upgraded viewing experience that both highlights and celebrates the film's unique place in horror cinema history. This release, with all its engaging content, stands as a worthy acquisition for dedicated fans and curious newcomers alike.