The Blackening 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The Blackening" receives a commendable 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation from Lionsgate Films, boasting an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer that adheres to the movie's original 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Although specific details on the capture equipment and digital intermediate process remain elusive at the time of review, the overall visual quality suggests a high likelihood of a 4K digital intermediate, enhancing the film's nuanced palette and intended aesthetic. This Ultra HD version showcases an impressive increase in resolution, particularly evident in sequences laden with close-up shots and those brightly lit, where the rendering of details is markedly improved. The film's deliberate stylistic choices, featuring a range of dark to well-illuminated environments, are well-served by this transfer, with detailed interior sets gaining an enriched and more visually captivating depth.

Despite the film not being characterized by an overtly vibrant color scheme, the Ultra HD presentation leverages the expanded color gamut effectively, bringing subtle enhancements to the movie's selective use of blues, reds, and greens. These improvements are particularly notable in specific settings like the outdoor nighttime scenes and the game room, where the HDR treatment introduces a nuanced vibrancy and improved highlight detail. However, it's worth mentioning that while HDR contributes positively to highlight rendition, its impact on shadow detail may not meet all expectations, leaving some of the darker scenes without significant enhancement in visibility compared to their counterparts in the standard dynamic range presentation.

Detail levels across both dark and brightly lit scenes see appreciable improvement, with interior scenes displaying noticeable depth that adds to the viewer's engagement. Although the HDR does not substantially redefine shadow delineation, it does not detract from the overall viewing experience, with the presentation still providing an enriching visual texture that remains true to the film's artistic vision. Screenshots included from the accompanying 1080p disc offer a glimpse into these enhancements, though they fall short of capturing the full depth and detail nuance available in the 4K UHD presentation.

The Blackening" presents a robust lossless audio experience that is both impressive in its clarity and engaging in its use of the sound field to enhance the film's atmosphere. The soundtrack is characterized by its rich clarity and dynamic range, making every environmental sound and dialogue stand out. Particularly notable is the film's use of the Atmos track, which brings an extra layer of depth to the audio presentation. This is evident in both the confined spaces and the more open environments where the directional audio and ambient effects come to the fore. Dialogue remains crisp and dominant throughout, ensuring that every word is heard distinctly, further supported by optional English and Spanish subtitles for accessibility.

The surround channels are masterfully utilized, creating a vivid soundscape that draws the listener into the film's world. In interior scenes, such as the game room, there’s an impressive directional sound that adds to the suspense, complemented by the startling clarity of sounds, like the voice from the game's figurehead or the swift panning effects of a crossbow in action. These elements combine to produce a truly immersive audio experience. Additionally, the film’s atmospheric use of sound extends to outdoor sequences, where ambient environmental effects are effectively rendered, engaging the listener with the palpable tension of the narrative.

Technically, "The Blackening" excels in its audio presentation, making full use of the Atmos track capabilities to offer an enveloping and detailed sound environment. From the punchy dynamics of the soundtrack to the varied and effective use of spatial ambience and directional cues, this presentation complements the visual experience splendidly. The attention to auditory detail ensures that both the action-packed and quieter moments are delivered with equal precision, making for a thoroughly enjoyable audio experience.

The extra presentation of "The Blackening" 4K UHD Blu-ray indulges fans with a comprehensive array of behind-the-scenes content and entertaining bonus features. Highlights include the rich, insightful audio commentary by Director Tim Story and writers Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins, which offers an engaging dive into the making of the film. A selection of featurettes such as "Do the Write Thing" and "They Can't All Talk First" bring the cast and crew's reflections and experiences to the forefront, while "Shall We Play a Game?" and "Cabin in the Woods" provide unique looks at specific aspects of production and design. The humorous "Who’s the Blackest?" game show spoof and a collection of outtakes add a light-hearted balance to the extras. Notably, the absence of the original short film adaptation is a missed opportunity for completists. The digital code included ensures fans can enjoy this content across devices, cementing the Blu-ray’s status as a worthy collector’s item.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Tim Story and Writers Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins: Insightful discussions on film making.
• Do the Write Thing: Discussion on adapting from short film to feature.
• They Can't All Talk First: Cast and crew reunion with viewer questions.
• Shall We Play a Game?: Focus on game elements and provocative imagery within the film.
• Cabin in the Woods: Exploration of production design.
• Who's the Blackest? Game Show: Humorous spoof game show with cast and crew.
• Deleted Dewayne Dance Scene: Exclusive deleted scene.
• Outtakes: Collection of bloopers and fun moments.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official movie trailer.

The Blackening," presented in 4K UHD Blu-ray, endeavors to subvert the normative frameworks of genre cinema through a satirical lens, coupling humor with elements of horror in a manner that redefines conventional narrative arcs especially in relation to African American characters. The movie, inspired by Dewayne Perkins' short film, transitions into a feature-length exploration of cultural and ethnic identities amidst a backdrop of clichéd horror settings—a cabin in the woods scenario that unfurls into a nightmarish game of survival triggered by a racially charged board game. While it aims to provide a critique through humor and suspense, the film occasionally struggles to maintain a consistent tone, balancing between creating moments of laughter and fear but not fully delivering an exceptionally engaging experience on either front.

The screenplay, co-written by Perkins and Tracy Oliver, adeptly uses sharp humor to dissect and discuss the notion of the 'black card' and cultural identity, albeit at the risk of leaning too heavily on stereotypes and predictable plot developments that it initially seems poised to challenge. The film's pacing appears uneven, particularly in its early portions where it labors to establish character connections before delving into the core of its slasher premise. As the narrative progresses, it becomes apparent that while "The Blackening" has aspirations for both comedy and horror, it occasionally falters under the weight of its own ambition, resulting in a mix of successes and missed opportunities in delivering its thematic messages.

Nonetheless, "The Blackening" distinguishes itself with its willingness to navigate through uncharted territories of dark humor and horror tailored towards an African American audience, presenting provocative content within a framework that’s both innovative and entertaining, albeit with instances of graphic violence. The film commands attention for its boldness in tackling sensitive themes under the guise of comedy-horror, even if it doesn't always achieve the perfect equilibrium between inducing laughter and conveying a deeper commentary on racial stereotypes and cultural heritage.

The Blackening" emerges on the 4K UHD Blu-ray scene through Lionsgate Home Entertainment, presenting a film that playfully dabbles within the horror genre, albeit without fully delivering a knockout punch. While it teeters on the edge of true meta-horror brilliance, the movie offers enough humor and mild thrills to keep audiences engaged. Its transition to 4K UHD Blu-ray/Blu-ray/Digital format is marked by commendable technical quality, ensuring viewers receive a visually and audibly satisfactory experience. The extras provided are adequate, though not groundbreaking, complementing the main feature with a decent array of supplementary content.

Anticipation for a potential sequel bubbles under the surface, hinting at the untapped potential of "The Blackening" as a nascent franchise beacon. While the film's self-awareness occasionally overshadows its comedic and horror elements, there's an unmistakable charm and innovation that heralds promising futures for its creators and cast. The solid technical merits observed in this release—sharp visuals, robust audio, and engaging bonus material—amplify the film’s appeal, endorsing its recommendation status among genre enthusiasts seeking something uniquely entertaining.

In conclusion, while "The Blackening" doesn't flawlessly execute its ambitious blend of humor and horror, its overall presentation on 4K UHD Blu-ray solidifies it as a worthy addition to any collection. The marriage of pleasing technical specifications with a storyline that's both familiar and fresh makes for an engaging viewing experience. Despite its imperfections, the film's heart and humor shine through, supported by a reliable technical foundation that does justice to the creators' vision. As it stands, "The Blackening" is an intriguing step into what could potentially become a beloved series among fans looking for light-hearted terror and laughs.