Full Moon High Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray of "Full Moon High" showcases a commendable video transfer, suitable for its era. Utilizing an AVC encoded format with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this presentation maintains robust detail fidelity as far as the original cinematography allows. Audiences will appreciate nuanced details in creature designs, costuming, and makeup effects, enriched by a satisfying level of clarity. The color palette is vibrant, with secure primaries, strong yellows, and intact greenery. Skin tones are rendered naturally, maintaining a consistent appearance throughout. Additionally, despite its vintage nature, the source material displays minimal speckling and is generally in satisfactory condition.

The clarity of "Full Moon High" benefits further from its MPEG-4 AVC encoded 1080p resolution, emphasizing textures such as fabric grains and finer elements like wood scratches on set pieces. The image maintains a crisp, defined quality with notable depth, offering smooth cinematic movements and minimal jitter or blurring. Black levels are deep and rich, although they can obscure details in darker scenes—possibly due to the source material or intended design. Nonetheless, the transfer ensures most details on clothing, hair, and surfaces remain discernible in well-lit environments.

Artifacts such as grain and blocking are relatively minimal and non-distracting. While scenes shot in Romania exhibit more graininess and less sharpness than those stateside, overall the film looks impressively better than one might expect from an early '80s film with subtle restoration work. The careful preservation of details and color fidelity highlights what is fundamentally a serviceable master, doing justice to this cult classic in its Blu-ray debut from Scream Factory.

Scream Factory's audio presentation of "Full Moon High" on Blu-ray features the original Monorail soundtrack wrapped in a DTS-HD MA codec, maintaining the simplicity and precision of the 1980s mix. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix remains loud and crisp, requiring minor adjustments to avoid excessive volume. Vocals come through cleanly with clear intelligibility, though some mild sharpness in the upper range occasionally manifests. Despite being a straightforward, mono track, it preserves a decent sense of depth, though lacks the complexity and dynamism of modern audio formats.

Age-related issues are apparent in this 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix, especially with dialogue occasionally buried under music and sound effects. While some passages are a bit muddy, the majority of the performance choices are adequately intelligible. The sound effects are somewhat blunt but recognizable, and the overall mix is free of hiss, crackle, or distortion. The track lacks extensive ambiance or explosiveness, leaning towards a narrow fidelity range, yet ensures the comedic elements are well-supported and clear.

Overall, this audio presentation provides a nostalgic listening experience that fits well with the film's vintage attributes. While not competing with high-end Dolby Atmos tracks, it manages to offer clear dialogue, minimal background noise, and sufficient depth for an enjoyable auditory experience. Optional English SDH subtitles are available for added accessibility, enhancing the overall viewing experience for all audiences.

The Blu-ray release of "Full Moon High" delivers a commendable suite of extras tailored for cinephiles and fans of Larry Cohen's works. A standout feature is the insightful audio commentary provided by writer/director Larry Cohen, moderated by filmmaker and "King Cohen" author Steve Mitchell. The commentary offers an in-depth analysis of the film's production, creative decisions, and legacy, enriched by Mitchell's probing questions and Cohen's candid responses. Additionally, the inclusion of the theatrical trailer, although it playbacks with minor choppiness, serves as a nostalgic glimpse into the film's original marketing approach. These extras enhance the viewing experience by providing both historical context and an understanding of Cohen's directorial vision.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: With Director Larry Cohen, Moderated By "King Cohen" Author Steve Mitchell. Theatrical Trailer: A nostalgic look at the original marketing material.

Larry Cohen's "Full Moon High," an early 1980s entry into the werewolf comedy genre, attempts to lampoon horror staples and deliver a slapstick experience reminiscent of "Airplane!" and "It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." The story centers on high school football star Tony Walker (Adam Arkin), who, after a transformative bite from a werewolf in Romania, returns to his hometown afflicted with immortality and a penchant for occasional lupine rampage. Notable for its scattergun approach to humor, the film features a cast of soon-to-be stars, including Ed McMahon, Bob Saget, and Kenneth Mars, who engage in a series of tongue-in-cheek antics and fourth wall breaks.

Despite its ambitious comedic premise, "Full Moon High" often struggles with narrative cohesion and effective gag delivery. The first act drags with its setup as Tony navigates a series of humorous but incongruent episodes before deciding to return to high school under the guise of his own son. While Larry Cohen's direction exhibits energy and playful satire, the schlocky nature of the film and its frequent tonal shifts can wear thin, leaving the overall experience somewhat fragmented.

Where typical 1980s werewolf films might lean on impressive gore effects and transformation sequences, "Full Moon High" notably abstains from showcasing these specifics, opting instead for a more subdued approach. This choice ultimately detracts from the horror-comedy blend, rendering transformation scenes less impactful. Although it contains moments of nostalgic charm and wacky humor, the film's lasting impression is that of unfulfilled potential—a quirky and somewhat disjointed piece in Cohen’s varied filmography that struggles to sustain its comedic momentum throughout.

"Full Moon High," directed and written by Larry Cohen, features a fascinating premise and boasts an impressive cast including Adam Arkin, Alan Arkin, Roz Nelly, and Ed McMahon. Debuting two years before "Teen Wolf," it remains relatively unknown. Unlike the cult classic status of "Teen Wolf," "Full Moon High" occupies a niche position due largely to its inconsistent execution, despite its potential.

The Blu-ray release from Scream Factory delivers solid technical quality with a 1.85:1 AVC aspect ratio and DTS-HD MA Mono audio. While the picture quality is commendable, featuring clear details and balanced colors, the audio remains crisp and well-mixed. However, the supplementary materials are sparse, lacking the comprehensive extras one might expect given the film’s kitschy appeal. Those included, such as the commentary by Cohen, add some value but leave one wanting more.

Overall, "Full Moon High" is a nostalgic venture into 80s horror-comedy that blends satirical humor with uneven pacing. Despite its shortcomings, the film’s light-hearted pokes at horror classics like "Carrie" and "Psycho" ensure it retains a certain charm. Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release, albeit light on extras, is a solid addition for enthusiasts of vintage genre films or Cohen’s distinctive style. At a reasonable price point, it makes an enjoyable, if not essential, acquisition for any 80s horror or werewolf aficionado.