The Addams Family Blu-ray Review

The latest Blu-ray presentation of "The Addams Family" (1991) employs an MPEG-4 AVC encode with an average bitrate of 21923 kbps, consistent with its predecessors. The film is shown in a slightly opened up aspect ratio of 1.78:1. However, viewers will notice mixed results in this HD transfer: some scenes exude impeccable sharpness and texture, while others suffer from murky, low-resolution visuals. Digital noise reduction (DNR) is evident, leaving only a thin layer of grain, and the image reveals noticeable digital sharpening.

On a positive note, the transfer excels in contrast and color reproduction. Deep black levels maintain their richness consistently, providing a solid dimension to the darkened cinematography. Highlights effectively brighten scenes, particularly in sequences such as the eviction to a hotel, yielding an exquisite visual balance. Colors are saturated well, adding vibrancy even to typically pallid elements like Lurch’s face. Despite fluctuating quality in detail, the disc’s visual presentation boasts moments of true aesthetic appeal.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Addams Family" offers three audio tracks: the primary English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround (4145 kbps, 24-bit), a French Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (224 kbps), and a Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (224 kbps). The absence of the original English stereo track is a notable omission. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track stands out with its aggressive and dynamic use of directional effects. Notably, the swooshing wind and Fingers Addams' movements on hard surfaces are well-executed and immersive. The film also briefly nods to Vic Mizzy's classic TV theme, though it would have been more impactful had it been extended over the main titles.

Despite the robust soundstage offered by the DTS-HD Master Audio track, the discreet audio details sometimes struggle for prominence. During action-packed scenes like an early fencing fight or the climactic hurricane finish, while the audio fills the room, specific directional cues can be challenging to pinpoint. The subwoofer's contribution varies, providing weight to certain effects such as door knocks but often lacking in precision. Overall, the audio mix accompanies the visual experience with adequate depth and detail, despite a few limitations in directional clarity and low-frequency effects.

Paramount has included comprehensive subtitling options in English (SDH), French, and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a broader audience. The overall audio presentation, while aggressive and engaging in its design, would benefit from tighter low-frequency management and more clearly defined directional effects to enhance the immersive experience.

In its Blu-ray release, "The Addams Family" includes a very limited selection of extras. Paramount has opted not to add any new bonus content, which may be disappointing for avid fans seeking fresh behind-the-scenes insights or exclusive features. The extras consist solely of two theatrical trailers, both provided in 480i resolution. While the movies' charmingly spooky allure is left intact, the lack of additional content feels like a missed opportunity to deeply engage fans further. Such sparse offerings detract from the overall value of this Blu-ray edition.

Extras included in this disc:

Theatrical Trailer 1: Brief look at the film’s original promotional material.

Theatrical Trailer 2: Another snippet showcasing the film's initial advertising campaign.

Paramount's reissue of 1991's "The Addams Family," coinciding with MGM/UA's new animated version, is both visually captivating and nostalgically charming. Rooted in the original TV series, the film masterfully blends gothic comedy and fantasy under Barry Sonnenfeld's direction. The Addams family inhabits a whimsically macabre world where electric chairs, moonlight graveyard romances, and baked slugs epitomize their unconventional joie de vivre. This peculiar charm resonates as the family's unique, cheerfully perverse lifestyle clashes with mainstream societal norms.

"The Addams Family" successfully crafts a narrative where the sophisticatedly oddball characters play off against the mundanity of the so-called “normals.” The plot primarily revolves around greed and the coveted Addams' money vault, with pale-faced family members emerging as unanticipated heroes. Noteworthy performances include Anjelica Huston's Morticia, exuding powerful familial pride in moments like her response to a teacher questioning her daughter's hero worship of a witch ancestor. This theme underscores the family's tenacious stand against bigotry and judgment.

The film arrived at a pivotal moment in cultural history, with its release paralleling the early ‘90s social changes, including growing advocacy for gay rights and the rise of goth and grunge subcultures. The Addams family’s unabashed confidence in their eccentric lifestyle—marked by a fascination with explosives and dead relatives—is a jubilant rejection of external judgment. Their playful arrogance and non-conformity reflect an endearing penchant for living by cartoonish rules, which simultaneously critiques societal conformity and celebrates individuality.

The Blu-ray release of "The Addams Family" showcases some notable elements from the beloved 1991 film. The production design clearly stands out, reflecting the film’s commitment to its source material with remarkable attention to detail. Similarly, the performances delivered by the cast remain engaging, effectively capturing the quirky essence of the Addams family that fans have appreciated for decades. The lighting and camera work contribute significantly to the film's unique aesthetic, enhancing its gothic ambiance. Despite these strengths, the disc's visual quality is not substantially improved from past releases, as Paramount misses an opportunity to restore the grain with a new 4K scan of an original print.

However, it's essential to acknowledge that "The Addams Family" struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative flow. The script feels threadbare at times with a plot that seems to lack direction. This inconsistency in pacing detracts from the overall tension and narrative drive, even during moments that attempt a balance between comedy and drama. Additionally, the Blu-ray release's bonus materials are underwhelming. Fans expecting fresh content, such as commentary from director Barry Sonnenfeld or new interviews, will be disappointed as the disc offers no significant enhancements over previous editions.

Overall, I derived moderate enjoyment from revisiting "The Addams Family," watching it fully for the first time since its theatrical release in 1991. While many of its elements—performances, production design, lighting, and camera work—are executed with technical proficiency, the film's weak script and lack of momentum spoil the experience somewhat. Paramount's failure to provide a restored version further adds to this release’s shortcomings. Nevertheless, this disc or The Addams Family double feature package is MARGINALLY RECOMMENDED if you don't own one of the prior releases.