Scavenger Hunt Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Scavenger Hunt" has been upgraded to Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image and a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This HD enhancement delivers an adequate improvement over the previous VHS release, particularly in terms of color vibrancy and detail levels. Colors such as blues and reds are emphasized through period costuming, with greenery appearing vivid and skintones rendered naturally. Grain is consistently present, adding an authentic film-like texture, even though it occasionally becomes intrusive, especially in dark scenes and on blue objects. The source material is in commendable shape, lacking significant damage or digital artifacts, allowing for a relatively clean viewing experience.

While the transfer is displayed in 1080p/AVC-MPEG-4, there are noticeable variations in sharpness and clarity. Certain scenes convey detailed textures and agreeable distances, enhancing the overall visual depth. However, moments of softness are prevalent, which can detract from the image's sharpness and depth. Blacks are inky and well-separated, contributing to a balanced contrast. Despite the occasional disruption caused by intense grain, the overall delineation remains communicative, ensuring fans can appreciate the comedic elements and environment within the film.

The audio presentation of "Scavenger Hunt" on Blu-ray is delivered in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 but unfortunately, it reveals its age. The track is characterized by a lack of precision, with a muddy and unbalanced mix that often compromises the clarity of dialogue and effects. Throughout the listening experience, a persistent hiss is noticeable, which further detracts from the overall fidelity.

Billy Goldenberg's musical score suffers from being frequently overshadowed by the dialogue and sound effects. Moments that should be driven by the score's dynamics instead find it narrowly ranged and lost amidst other audio elements, diminishing its intended impact. Atmospherics and sound effects throughout the film come across as blunt and lack the subtlety needed for a more immersive experience. While the track manages to maintain intelligibility, its overall execution is underwhelming, marked by a dullness that never quite engages the listener fully.

The Blu-ray release of "Scavenger Hunt" includes a well-rounded selection of extras that provides an insightful look into both the film’s production and the careers of its actors. The commentary by director Michael Schultz offers occasional but valuable insights into the film's creation. The interviews with Richard Benjamin and Richard Masur offer perspectives from two crucial cast members, elucidating their experiences and relationships on set. Benjamin highlights his career evolution and the unique circumstances of shooting "Scavenger Hunt," while Masur delves into his character inspiration and dynamics, adding engaging anecdotes about the various challenges they faced, including handling live animals.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Director Michael Schultz shares insights into the film’s creation.
• Interview with Richard Benjamin: Discusses his career and experiences on-set.
• Interview with Richard Masur: Shares details about his performance and the dynamics among cast members.
• Trailers: Includes trailers for 'Moving Violations', 'After the Fox', and 'Married to the Mob'.

"Scavenger Hunt," directed by Michael Schultz, follows a well-worn formula similar to the iconic "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." The story revolves around Milton Parker's (Vincent Price) eccentric will, declaring a scavenger hunt to determine who inherits his $200 million fortune. Five teams, including relatives and employees, embark on a frenzied pursuit across San Diego. Despite Schultz's attempt to inject lively energy into this slapstick comedy, the film struggles to elicit genuine laughs, often falling flat due to lackluster execution and overextended scenes.

The ensemble cast, featuring Richard Benjamin, Tony Randall, and Cloris Leachman, delivers highly exaggerated performances. Unfortunately, their talents are undermined by uninspired gags and an overabundance of stale comedic tropes. Characters like Marvin Dummitz (Richard Mulligan) embody the film’s heavy reliance on physical humor, which often misses the mark and feels unnecessarily protracted. The premise of a chaotic scavenger hunt holds promise for riotous fun but ultimately succumbs to tediousness and predictability.

"Scavenger Hunt" takes viewers through various absurd tasks, from stealing a Jack in the Box clown head to extracting a toilet bowl from a hotel. While the frantic activity offers momentary diversions, the overall effect is more exhausting than entertaining. Schultz's direction lacks the finesse needed to balance the chaotic narrative, leaving scenes devoid of effective punchlines and genuinely humorous moments. Despite its efforts to revive old-fashioned slapstick, the film is mired by a cumbersome screenplay and lackluster comedic attempts that fail to captivate or amuse the audience meaningfully.

The Blu-ray release of "Scavenger Hunt" suffers from a combination of exaggerated performances and inconsistent technical quality. The film is filled with energetic cameos, including a young Arnold Schwarzenegger as an exuberant gym trainer and Meat Loaf as a gruff biker, but the cartoonish performance style often overshadows any substantive content. Over its two-hour runtime, the film prioritizes slapstick chaos over coherent storytelling, leading to a viewing experience that feels both overstuffed and overly drawn out. The last 20 minutes, in particular, descend into a manic frenzy that lacks the finesse needed to sustain audience engagement.

From a technical standpoint, the high-definition transfer unfortunately does not meet professional expectations. The grain issue in the Blu-ray presentation is significant enough to be distracting, making it hard to enjoy even for fans of the film. This inconsistency in visual quality detracts from the overall experience, leaving viewers wanting more refinement. While Kino's attempt to preserve and deliver this quirky 1979 comedy is commendable, the end product does not justify a recommendation for purchase, especially given these substantial flaws.

In conclusion, "Scavenger Hunt" offers sporadic moments of zany humor and nostalgic charm due to its illustrious cast and chaotic storyline. However, these elements are eclipsed by the film's extended runtime and technical shortcomings in the Blu-ray release. Fans of the genre or the original cast may still find value in a viewing, but for most audiences, this edition falls short of delivering a compelling home theater experience.