The Initiation Blu-ray Review

Arrow Films' Blu-ray presentation of "The Initiation" offers a commendable visual experience with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The film benefits from a thorough 2K restoration sourced from the original 35mm negative, scanned on a pin-registered 4K Lasergraphics Director Scanner at Deluxe Burbank. Picture grading was meticulously handled using DaVinci Resolve at Pinewood Studios, with comprehensive dirt, debris, and scratch removal executed via PFClean software. This meticulous restoration results in a remarkably clean image with strong overall stability and minimal signs of wear.

The transfer is predominantly healthy, boasting an organic grain structure that fits well with the film's aesthetic, though some chunkiness and chroma-like effects do arise in darker scenes. These minor compression issues are sporadic and not overly distracting. Colors are vibrant and somewhat unconventional for a horror film, with a palette reminiscent of Miami Vice pastels. Detail levels, particularly in close-ups, are excellent, although the film's inherent soft focus and optical effects in flashbacks introduce some masking. Black levels and contrast are robust, helping the image maintain depth and clarity. Flesh tones are particularly noteworthy for their clarity, adding to the overall impression of a well-executed restoration.

Overall, Arrow Films' Blu-ray edition of "The Initiation" delivers a visually engaging presentation that honors the film’s original aesthetic while significantly enhancing image quality through modern restoration techniques. Despite minor issues with grain and compression in certain scenes, the result is a clean and vibrant visual experience that stays true to the source material’s intent.

The audio presentation of "The Initiation" on Blu-ray is supported by a robust LPCM mono track that, while not high on the 'wow' factor, competently fulfills its role. The track provides clear rendering across all frequency ranges, ensuring that dialogue and effects are both discernible and effective. A notable characteristic of this film is its commendable restraint from excessive jump cuts with abrupt affects, resulting in quieter dialogue-driven scenes that the mono track handles adeptly.

With the English Uncompressed Mono PCM Audio format, the single-channel audio is clear, front-centered, and devoid of ambient noise or hums, resulting in a clean audio experience. The dynamics of the track are as fully realized as can be expected from a mono setup, offering a quality, if straightforward, listen. Dialogue reproduction is particularly strong, maintaining clarity and audibility even when delivering less substantial lines.

There is no surround sound distinction to speak of, but the mono track indeed performs as intended by providing an intelligible and balanced auditory experience. Overall, while not groundbreaking, the audio presentation on this Blu-ray disc efficiently captures the essence of "The Initiation," ensuring all essential elements are rightfully represented without overextension.

The extra content on "The Initiation" Blu-ray offers a rich and engaging exploration of the film's background. The interviews provide detailed insights into the production challenges and behind-the-scenes stories, contributing to a deeper appreciation of the movie. Highlights include revelations about the first director's departure and actor experiences on set in Dallas. The inclusion of an extended scene, although brief and silent, adds value by providing additional context. The commentary track features diverse podcaster perspectives, albeit sometimes overlapping and confusing. The reversible sleeve with original and new artwork, along with the Collector’s Booklet, adds a collectible element for enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Sorority Saga: Interview with writer Charles Pratt, Jr. discussing behind-the-scenes and directorial changes.
• Pledge Night: Actor Christopher Bradley shares experiences from the Dallas film scene.
• Dream Job: Actress Joy Jones provides anecdotes about the shoot.
• Extended Scene: Additional footage of the party scene without audio.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• Audio Commentary: Diverse discussions from various podcasters.

"The Initiation" stands out as a unique entry in the sorority slasher subgenre with a surprisingly engaging plot that surpasses many of its contemporaries. The film centers around Kelly Fairchild (Daphne Zuniga) who, while undergoing typical sorority initiation rituals, is haunted by recurring nightmares of a traumatic childhood event involving an intruder and a fire. As the story unfolds, Kelly's disturbing dreams catch the attention of Peter Adams (James Read), a psychology student who aims to analyze her subconscious turmoil. This narrative is further enriched by notable performances from genre icons like Vera Miles, playing Kelly's enigmatic mother, and hedged in historical horror themes.

The film can be perceived as two distinct parts: the dream analysis and murder mystery, and the slasher narrative. The former is unexpectedly compelling, aided by quirky performances, especially from James Read and Joy Jones. The secondary narrative, a more conventional 'trapped in a closed space' slasher scenario set in a mall-like department store, offers entertaining kills and tense moments, although plagued with some typical genre clichés and questionable decisions by the characters. Daphne Zuniga's portrayal of Kelly adds significant depth, grounding the film's more absurd elements and bringing an earnestness to her role that elevates the overall experience.

Charles Pratt, Jr.'s screenplay employs effective misdirection and manages to maintain suspense despite some predictability stemming from a revealing opening scene. The visual storytelling also stands out, particularly the use of mirrors and iconic murder devices like the three-pronged garden hoe. These stylistic choices, combined with the authentic feel provided by local Dallas residents in supporting roles, imbue "The Initiation" with a certain charm that makes it a memorable cult classic within the 80s slasher catalog.

The Blu-ray release of "The Initiation" presents an interesting opportunity for horror enthusiasts to revisit a film that, while not groundbreaking, is certainly engaging. Arrow has done commendable work in restoring the picture, resulting in a visually appealing presentation that surpasses previous versions. The overall image quality is crisp and clear, offering a more immersive experience. Although the opening sequence of the film might reveal a bit too much to the discerning viewer, the narrative that follows is well-executed with some notably gruesome kill scenes, highlighted by the infamous three-pronged garden implement.

Beyond the main feature, Arrow has also curated a set of supplementary materials that are sure to please fans. However, it is worth mentioning the absence of any contributions from lead actress Daphne Zuniga in the extras—a somewhat disappointing omission for those who hoped for deeper insights from the film’s stars. Despite this, the included interviews and discussions still provide intriguing perspectives and added value.

In conclusion, I wouldn't argue that "The Initiation" is any great undiscovered masterpiece, but I'd probably give at least a little lip service to the fact that the film is marginally better than it probably has any right to be. While the opening scene probably gives away too much (at least for those willing to read a little subtext into the proceedings), the subsequent plot developments are decently handled, and some of the kill scenes are spectacularly gruesome (especially with that three-pronged garden implement). Arrow has done good work restoring the picture, and as usual has assembled some interesting supplements. Recommended.