Monday Morning Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Monday Morning," presented by the MVD Rewind Collection, offers a 1080p high-definition transfer derived from the original camera negative in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The video presentation delivers a largely organic look, characterized by a substantial grain field, which remains mostly natural despite being dense at times. Detail is typically satisfactory, excelling in close-up shots. However, technical imperfections like encoding glitches and strange interpolations disrupt the film-like experience, breaking immersion with brief yet noticeable flashes of misplaced frames. These anomalies are most visible upon frame-by-frame scrutiny but may go unnoticed by the casual viewer.

Color reproduction is inconsistent, with a blend of vibrant primary colors and occasional mishaps in color timing. Black levels are generally maintained, even in dimly lit scenes, though some sequences exhibit an over-saturation, particularly noted in an outdoor sports field scene. This variance in color and saturation can be distracting but reflects the film's low-budget origins from 1988. The grain may appear rough or sometimes filtered, potentially due to the encoding processes used.

In comparison to older formats, such as the included VHS transfer, this new HD rendition undoubtedly offers significant visual improvements, demonstrating the benefits of contemporary restoration practices despite its imperfections. While the Blu-ray is technically competent for its vintage material, it falls short of excellence due to MVD's authoring issues. Ultimately, this release may appeal to enthusiasts familiar with the film's historical context but is likely to frustrate videophiles seeking pristine transfers due to its inherent flaws and quirky inconsistencies.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Monday Morning" offers an LPCM 2.0 Mono track that adequately complements the film's nostalgic backdrop. The track generally succeeds in delivering clean and clear dialogue, ensuring audience comprehension without the frequent need for subtitles or volume adjustments, despite occasional softly-rendered dialogue that can seem recessed. Bill Johnson's energizing score is well-blended with pertinent music selections, including a memorable contemporary cover of the Mamas and the Papas’ “Monday Monday,” though the remainder of the soundtrack may come off as generic.

While the LPCM 2.0 Mono audio track provides satisfactory dialogue reproduction, it exhibits certain limitations. The track suffers from a consistent background hum, which becomes notably distracting over time. Additionally, intermittent hissing and low-level noise reflect a constrained recording budget, impacting overall fidelity and sound design. Nevertheless, optional English subtitles are included, presented in a clear, yellow SDH format to assist viewers as needed.

Overall, while the audio presentation serves the film sufficiently, it bears noticeable imperfections typical of low-budget productions. The balance between dialogue and music maintains general clarity and listener engagement, making it serviceable for casual viewing despite its unrefined aesthetic. However, those expecting pristine sound quality may be disappointed by the persistent hum and limited dynamic range of the audio mix.

The Blu-ray extras for "Monday Morning" present a mixed offering of insightful content and areas for improvement. The original VHS version, under the alternate title Class of Fear, serves as a nostalgic, yet comparably lesser-quality alternative to the restored HD version. The interview with Don Murphy offers valuable information about his early filmmaking experiences, despite its lengthy duration and static presentation. While not fully engaging, it provides a detailed insight into student filmmaking during the late '80s and early '90s, though it could benefit from tighter editing and additional visual elements. The Don Murphy: Portrait of a Producer featurette stands out for its well-paced, archival content previously available with "Double Dragon." Although the extras lack a commentary track, they offer a reasonable exploration into the production background and the evolution of this piece in Murphy's career.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original VHS Version: Class of Fear: Offers a nostalgic view with minor differences from the HD version.
• Interview with Writer and Director Don Murphy: Discusses his early career, though lengthy and with static presentation.
• Don Murphy: Portrait of a Producer: Archival featurette detailing Murphy's career highlights.
• Promo: Short promotional material.
• Double Dragon Trailer: Promotional clip of the movie.
• Dirty Laundry Trailer: Trailer for another production.
• Action U.S.A. Trailer: Promotional trailer.

"Monday Morning" presents a compelling yet deeply flawed narrative exploring themes of class conflict and tragedy against a high school backdrop. Helmed by debut director Don Murphy, known for his later work on "Natural Born Killers" and the "Transformers" franchise, the film embodies a raw, unpolished look at societal issues mirrored through the lens of youth. The plot draws parallels to "Romeo and Juliet," centering around Bobby Parker (Noah Blake) as he navigates life as an outsider at Oceana High. Bobby's relationship with Noreen (Julianne McNamara) and his adversarial rapport with her brother James (Brandon Hooper), the town mayor's son, highlight socioeconomic divides ominously foretold by the "wrong side of the tracks" motif.

Murphy's storytelling is riddled with tonal inconsistencies, pulling viewers from one dramatic extreme to another with jarring comedic interjections. The narrative meanders through mundane preambles before sharply pivoting to an intense and ultimately tragic confrontation involving a firearm at school. This climactic sequence, reflective of its time and eerily resonant today, propels Bobby into the uncomfortable crossroads of villain and hero, albeit executed in a fashion that can feel discordant to modern audiences.

While the film struggles with erratic pacing and uneven performances typical of first-time directors, it nonetheless captures interest through its ambitious, if not always coherent, attempt to tackle complex social themes. Despite technical shortcomings and a sense of unfinished development, traces of Murphy's latent directorial prowess emerge in moments of distinctive tension. "Monday Morning" exists as both a curiosity within Murphy's career trajectory and a cinematic time capsule, unintentionally prescient yet structurally flawed, leaving it most memorable for its raw portrayal of in-school violence and the socio-economic discourse precipitating such conflicts.

"Monday Morning" on Blu-ray is a fascinating yet perplexing piece of cinematic work that evokes a mix of emotions and technical appraisals. The film, directed by Don Murphy, presents a somewhat disjointed narrative that navigates the turbulent experiences of high school dynamics through a peculiar blend of violent and naive storytelling. While it flaunts the alluring nostalgia of the VHS era – a tribute evident in its MVD Rewind Collection design – the film lacks the depth that typically attracts broader audiences. The editing, notably presented by Murphy and narrated through personal anecdotes, emerges as a commendable technical achievement, accentuating certain dramatic highlights despite the film’s slapdash execution.

Technically, the Blu-ray offers respectable upgrades in both audio and visual aspects, supporting the gritty, lo-fi aesthetic integral to the film's tones. However, these technical enhancements contribute little to elevating the incoherent narrative structure that both bores and confuses viewers. The bonus features accompany the release adequately but fail to bridge the gap for those outside the niche fan base whom this collection primarily targets.

Conclusively, "Monday Morning" appeals largely to collectors and enthusiasts of retro artifacts who derive joy from revisiting the days of rental stores and VHS explorations. While there are certain elements of intrigue within its content, the overall execution may not justify its place in every Blu-ray archive. For those unfazed by its narrative inconsistencies and drawn to its nostalgic and technical allure, this release holds value; otherwise, it is likely best appreciated within the confines of specialized collections.