Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" on Blu-ray stands out with impressive technical achievements. Utilizing a fresh 4K scan, the 1080p picture delivers an outstanding, filmic visual experience. The grain structure is light and consistent, though expectedly more pronounced in low-light scenes. The resulting image is naturally sharp with excellent cinematic texture and robust clarity. Details such as facial textures, clothing, and various environmental elements are presented with precision. This includes both interior settings, like kitchens and living rooms, and exterior scenes, which feature crisp definition throughout.

Colors are superbly handled, with vivid reds, accurate period clothing hues, and good depth in warmer tones. The black levels are particularly notable, providing excellent contrast in night scenes and shadowy interiors. Even as the film shifts into darker settings towards the climax, the balance between shadows and highlights maintains an optimal depth without crushing detail unnecessarily. The 4K scan effectively preserves the integrity of the film's natural look, free from digital artifacts like compression issues. Consequently, every scene is visually compelling and faithful to its original source.

The encode quality ensures that minor blemishes, such as the occasional vertical line, are rare and unobtrusive. Scream Factory's transfer is clean and of high fidelity, reinforcing the strength of this restoration. Overall, the Blu-ray release of "The Final Chapter" presents a visually enriching experience that enhances both the film's atmosphere and its classic slasher aesthetic.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" offers both a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and a 2.0 mono DTS-HD Master Audio track, each catering to different preferences. The 5.1 track impresses with its superior clarity, stage expansion, and immersive robustness. Front-stage musical elements are wide and clear, complemented by appropriately subtle surround sound and necessary subwoofer engagement. Atmospheric effects like rain, showers, and background ambient noises gain superior presence and detailed clarity in the 5.1 mix, offering a more rounded auditory experience. Contrastingly, the original 2.0 mono track feels flatter and less dynamic, struggling to achieve the same level of range, but it offers an authenticity faithful to the film's original sound design.

However, both audio mixes suffer from some fidelity issues, particularly concerning dialogue. The dialogue occasionally sounds harsh and coarse, akin to running a tape over sandpaper, impacted by ambient noise that clouds the recordings. This is more pronounced in the mono track but noticeable in both. The shimmy in the audio textures at the 26-minute mark particularly stands out as an unfortunate drop in quality. Despite these issues, the music retains fine quality, enhancing the experience. The 5.1 track does attempt some spatial engagement, with sounds like forest ambiance discretely positioned in the rear channels, but overall it remains predominantly centered and less mobile during action sequences.

In summary, while both tracks offer distinct listening experiences — the 5.1 for its engaging clarity and robust staging, and the 2.0 mono for its faithful representation of the original — technical dialogue fidelity issues slightly mar an otherwise solid audio presentation on this Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" presents a thorough suite of supplemental content, impeccably carrying forward materials from the previous Warner Brothers release while incorporating engaging new features. Dual audio commentaries provide insightful perspectives, first from director Joseph Zito, screenwriter Barney Cohen, and editor Joel Goodman, then from fans/filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch. The deleted scenes include director Zito’s commentary to provide context amidst lost audio. Notably, Crispin Glover’s dance outtakes and an alternate ending with Kimberly Beck add entertainment value. The production-focused featurette, along with a faux crime documentary, enriches the understanding of the film’s background. Additional engaging features include the next chapter of "Lost Tales from Camp Blood," various promotional materials, and newly added galleries and radio spots.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Joseph Zito, Screenwriter Barney Cohen, and Editor Joel Goodman.
• Audio Commentary: Fans/Filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch.
• Lost Tales from Camp Blood – Part 4
• Slashed Scenes: With optional Director Joseph Zito commentary.
• Jason's Unlucky Day: 25 Years After Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
• The Lost Ending
• The Crystal Lake Massacres Revisited – Part I
• Jimmy's Dead Dance Moves
• Theatrical Trailer
• NEW! TV Spot:
• NEW! Radio Spots:
• NEW! Movie Stills Gallery:
• NEW! Posters and Lobby Cards Gallery:
• Fangoria Articles: Accessible only via PC Blu-ray drive.

Scream Factory via Shout! Factory has released the 1984 horror film 'Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter' to Blu-ray with a new 4K scan and dual lossless soundtrack options. This release features comprehensive extras, including those from Warner Brothers' 2013 collection and additional new content. As part of the limited Friday the 13th Collection, it offers an exhilarating experience for fans of Jason Voorhees' harrowing exploits.

The narrative commences where Part III concluded, with Jason's supposed death proving temporary as he murders his way out of a morgue and returns to Camp Crystal Lake. Here, he targets a fresh group of teenagers while young Tommy Jarvis (Corey Feldman) and his sister Trish (Kimberly Beck) get embroiled in the chaos, alongside Rob (E. Erich Anderson), who has a personal vendetta. As Jason's killing spree escalates, the trio devises a final plan to destroy him.

Corey Feldman’s portrayal as Tommy stands out as he embodies 1980s youth, caught in a culture eager to infiltrate R-rated slasher films into home entertainment. The film not only nods to the era’s increasing commercialization and relaxed censorship but also injects unexpected depth through its cast, moving beyond mere horror tropes. The use of more diverse characters, relatable subplots, and evocative imagery enhances its appeal, culminating in a visceral climax. The Final Chapter expertly balances intense sequences with the franchise’s quintessential slasher elements, making it a pivotal entry in the genre.

The Blu-ray release of "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" by Shout! Factory impressively revitalizes the fourth installment of the iconic horror franchise. Video quality is commendably close to the best-case scenario for a film of this age, featuring sharp image fidelity and robust color reproduction. The restoration efforts genuinely pay off, making the visuals an invaluable upgrade from previous releases. The 5.1 audio mix significantly enhances the immersion factor, providing clear dialogues and impactful sound effects.

The technical prowess doesn’t end there; Shout! Factory ensures a rich experience with a well-rounded selection of extras that delve into the film’s production and cultural impact. These enhancements create a more profound appreciation for what was originally intended to be the final chapter in the Jason Voorhees saga. Fans will especially appreciate the preserved grain and texture that stay true to the film's original aesthetic while benefiting from modern technology.

Antagonizing moral critics with a child protagonist, "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" poses an interesting cultural transition point for the genre. The film maintains a tried-and-true formula that satisfies long-time fans while still managing to deliver unexpected twists and an ending that leaves audiences wanting more.

The Final Chapter was obviously not the final chapter, with no less than six main series films to follow. But it's a good watch with an unlikely ending (even with the name mostly spoiling what's to come) that does leave fans craving more, even if the movie is in many ways formulaic to a fault. Shout! Factory's Blu-ray is terrific. Video approaches best case scenario, the 5.1 audio mix delivers, and the disc includes a good number of extras. Highly recommended.