Wild Things: Foursome Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray transfer of "Wild Things: Foursome" is notably underwhelming, culminating in a presentation that is far below Sony’s typical high standards. Encapsulated within a 1.85:1 frame and presented in 1080p, the visuals disappoint significantly. The level of video noise is excessive, surpassing the expected film grain and pointing to issues with compression. This video noise, combined with a generally soft and fuzzy appearance, lends the movie a murky and unrefined look. The cinematography does little to compensate, rendering most scenes flat and lacking vibrance, even under direct sunlight. The resulting visuals are disappointing by contemporary standards, akin to up-converted DVD quality. Black levels are mediocre at best, never reaching the inky depths hoped for.

While colors generally maintain some level of vividness, there is an evident issue with skin tones appearing decidedly orange – potentially attributable to the Florida setting. Details fluctuate between insipid and adequate, often marred by rampant grain that detracts from overall sharpness and fine detail. Notably, the film exhibits source noise, with sporadic white specks interrupting the viewing experience. Contrast is inconsistent, further diminishing the visual quality and giving the impression of a sun-bleached palette. A rare few scenes exhibit improved clarity and stability, but these moments are anomalies rather than the norm. The overall result is a visually bland Blu-ray that reflects poorly on Sony’s typically commendable Blu-ray releases.

In summary, "Wild Things: Foursome" on Blu-ray presents a visually unimpressive and noisy transfer. Despite the occasional burst of color and detail, the predominant characteristics are video noise, fluctuating contrast, and subpar black levels, culminating in a lackluster viewing experience. This Blu-ray underachieves significantly, failing to bring out the best in even its most striking visuals and ultimately falling short of modern high-definition expectations.

The audio presentation of "Wild Things: Foursome" features a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack, which, although not reference-grade, offers a relatively robust listening experience. The mix primarily emphasizes the front sound stage, with limited but existent surround activity. Some background effects, such as partygoer chatter or ambient noises in certain scenes, can sound somewhat detached and less natural. The soundtrack includes dynamic elements like boat and car races, where the low-frequency effects (LFE) shine with clean and resonant bass that is capable of vibrating the chest impressively. Despite these bursts of action, the dialogue occasionally gets muddled amidst the powerful sound effects and music.

The soundtrack's strength lies in its pulsating low end and its cleanly presented hip-hop music, which consistently delivers a solid thump through the subwoofer. Scenes involving speedboats and cars provide a palpable undercurrent of roaring engines that contribute to the immersive quality of the track. However, some effects, although prominent, tend to sound inserted rather than naturally integrated. This is particularly noticeable during scenes set in dynamic environments such as house parties or mechanical garages. The dialogue, while generally balanced and clear, can sometimes be overshadowed by the richness of the background sounds. Overall, while "Wild Things: Foursome’s" audio track is capable and engaging at times, it stops short of delivering an outstanding auditory experience.

"Wild Things: Foursome" Blu-ray extras are rather limited, focusing primarily on trailers and BD-Live functionality. While some may appreciate the absence of excessive special features or audio commentary, others might find the lack of additional content disappointing. The Blu-ray includes high-definition trailers for several films, but doesn't extend beyond basic promotional materials.

Extras included in this disc:

• (HD) Trailers: Youth in Revolt, Chloe, Harry Brown, The Bounty Hunter, Unthinkable.
• BD LIVE Enabled

"Wild Things: Foursome" continues the saga with a storyline driven by wealth, seduction, and betrayal. Much like its predecessors, it delivers a formulaic mix of sex and intrigue. The narrative follows Carson Wheetly (Ashley Parker Angel), the hard-partying son of a wealthy hotel magnate, who, after his father's death in a car racing accident, becomes entangled in a convoluted scheme involving his girlfriend (Marnette Patterson) and friends. Their aim is to exploit legal loopholes to gain access to his inheritance. Detective Frank Walker (John Schneider) delves into the case, uncovering layers of deception and greed.

Technically speaking, the film struggles to transcend its softcore roots despite attempts to incorporate a mystery element. The acting by the cast is notably subpar, with wooden performances that fail to evoke any genuine connection to their characters. This is compounded by a predictable and uninspired plot that lacks the originality and cleverness of the first "Wild Things." The dialogue and character development are equally lacking, making it difficult for audiences to invest in the twists and turns that the film sporadically throws in.

In essence, "Wild Things: Foursome" fails to justify its existence beyond its surface-level allure, reminiscent of mid-night cable TV offerings. While it tries to replicate the provocative charm of the original, it falls short due to its derivative and uninspired execution. The film's reliance on sexual innuendo as its primary draw feels increasingly outdated in an era where such content is readily accessible online. For viewers hoping for an engaging plot alongside the risqué elements, the film is a significant letdown.

"Wild Things: Foursome" on Blu-ray is a stark reminder of the diminishing returns from direct-to-video sequels. The movie presents itself as an uninspired attempt to capitalize on the infamy of its predecessors, lacking any significant thematic relevance or engaging storyline. The acting is notably poor, direction lazily executed, and attempts at eroticism fall flat, failing to provide even a fraction of the intrigue or entertainment found in the original film. Sony's release also disappoints on a technical level, with a subpar picture quality and no special features beyond a few HD trailers.

Viewers seeking an enticing plot or developed characters will be sorely disappointed, as "Wild Things: Foursome" largely relies on its reputation rather than substance. Attempts to appeal through titillation are insufficient, leaving audiences with limited scenes that fail to deliver the provocative content they might expect. Furthermore, the audiovisual experience is significantly lacking; the video quality is mediocre and the audio does not impress. This release is evidently not a high point for Sony.

In conclusion, "Wild Things: Foursome" is perfect fodder for a 3 AM brain-dead watch that might pop up on cable while flipping around; beyond that, it's hard to recommend this Blu-ray at all. The uninspired film, deficient picture quality, and lack of extras combine to make this a regrettable purchase. Save your time and leave this one on the shelf.