Fright Night Blu-ray Review

Sony's Blu-ray presentation of "Fright Night" offers a quality 1080p image that maintains an organically filmic appearance. The grain structure is fairly steady and complimentarily intensified in select shots, revealing exceptional textural qualities. Details such as wooden accents outside Dandridge's home, brick façades around town, and close-ups of vintage stereo equipment are captured with superb screen command. Core visuals like skin and clothing textures are particularly sharp, with practical prosthetics revealed with impressive clarity, ensuring fangs and deep wounds are depicted realistically. The image by nature retains a healthy, organic feel suitable for the film, though colors appear less vivid, conforming to the film's somewhat drained and dull palette. Essentials feature good saturation and contrast, particularly in low-light and nighttime scenes, with clothes and smaller color splashes like a cracking fire and bright red wigs standing out.

The Blu-ray utilizes the same 4K transfer employed by Eureka Entertainment's 2017 UK release, resulting in minor but notable improvements over previous iterations. These include a more stabilized picture with slightly sharper details and a modest bump in contrast. While these enhancements might be barely perceptible to most viewers, they are discernible to those familiar with previous Twilight Time releases. Skin tones can appear pasty, but black levels hold fairly deep. There are negligible compression issues or print speckles, solidifying this as a high-quality image. Fans who missed out on older limited editions should find Sony's Blu-ray release more than satisfying.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for "Fright Night" presents a primarily front-heavy auditory experience, but features notable moments of surround engagement. One such instance occurs during the dance floor scene in chapter 11, where the audio expands into the rear channels as chaos ensues—a welcome departure from the steady front-centric soundstage predominant throughout the film. Additionally, the climax of the movie introduces some effective use of surround sound, including the synchronised chiming of alarm clocks and an intense, if somewhat imprecise, wave of full-stage mayhem. General effects clarity and music reproduction are adequate, maintaining core sonic definition and front-side width.

Dialogue is consistently clear and well-prioritized in the front-center position. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track faithfully honors the film’s original matrixed stereo surround soundtrack while enhancing fidelity and dynamic range. However, it remains a front-heavy mix with limited utilization of surrounds and Low-Frequency Effects (LFE). While there is nothing particularly exceptional or out of the ordinary in this mix, it does offer occasional expansions that enhance engagement without losing sight of its core audio characteristics. Brad Fiedel’s synth score benefits notably from the improved sonic clarity, resonating with a depth that enhances the overall viewing experience.

Sony's release of "Fright Night" on Blu-ray delivers a robust and comprehensive collection of extra features, merging new content with fan-favorites from previous editions. Although it misses out on the isolated score and stills gallery from Twilight Time's releases, it compensates with a rich hybrid of material suitable for collectors and cinephiles alike. Significant highlights include two engaging audio commentaries moderated by Tim Sullivan, a heartfelt reunion panel from Fear Fest 2, and multiple newly produced featurettes offering in-depth analysis and affectionate retrospectives. The standout addition is the extensive retrospective documentary "You're So Cool, Brewster!", which delves eloquently into the legacy and production details of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Tom Holland, Chris Sarandon & Jonathan Stark
• Audio Commentary: Tom Holland, William Ragsdale, Stephen Geoffreys & Randall Cook
• Fright Night Reunion Panel: Fear Fest 2
• NEW! Tom Holland: Writing Horror: In-depth interview.
• NEW! What is Fright Night?: Cast and crew discussion.
• NEW! Roddy McDowall: From Apes to Bats: Tribute to actor.
• NEW! You're So Cool, Brewster!: Comprehensive retrospective.
• Shock Till You Drop Presents Choice Cuts with Tom Holland and Ryan Turek: Interview segments.
• Vintage EPK with Behind the Scenes Raw Footage
• Original Theatrical Trailer G Rating
• Original Theatrical Trailer R Rating

Sony's release of the cult classic 'Fright Night' on Blu-ray, part of its MOD line, presents an opportunity for new critiques of the film’s audio and video quality. Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) is a teenage protagonist who knows his vampires, an obsession rooted in the television show 'Fright Night,' hosted by Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall). Charley's suspicions about his new neighbor, Jerry Dandridge (Chris Sarandon), being a vampire sets the narrative into motion. The plot unfolds with a blend of suspense and humor, as Charley enlists the help of his girlfriend Amy (Amanda Bearse), friend 'Evil' Ed (Stephen Geoffreys), and eventually Peter Vincent himself.

Tom Holland’s directorial debut masterfully combines horror and campy humor, resulting in a genuinely enjoyable film. Chris Sarandon’s performance as the charming yet menacing vampire is particularly noteworthy, delivering his lines with a delightfully sinister flair. Roddy McDowall’s portrayal of the out-of-luck actor-turned-vampire-slayer infuses the character with both desperation and charm, making his evolution into a real hero plausible and engaging. While William Ragsdale and Amanda Bearse exhibit their comedic talents, Stephen Geoffreys' portrayal of 'Evil' Ed is a mixed bag, sometimes grating until his transformation into a slave vampire.

Richard Edlund’s pristine visual effects and make-up, impressive even after 26 years, contribute significantly to the film's lasting appeal. The Blu-ray release retains these strengths while updating the technical aspects for modern audiences. Overall, this release continues to captivate viewers, maintaining the film's nostalgic essence while delivering an updated viewing experience. The included 2.5-hour documentary and additional extras further enhance this release as a must-have for fans and collectors alike.

Sony’s Blu-ray release of "Fright Night" delivers an exemplary preservation of this mid-80s vampire classic, offering fans a wealth of content that validates its purchase. The video quality boasts rock-solid clarity while staying true to the original film's aesthetic, providing a captivating visual experience that enhances the movie’s timeless charm. The audio impressively complements the visual quality, with a well-balanced soundstage that immerses the viewer in every thrilling and suspenseful moment.

One of the standout features of this Blu-ray edition is the extensive supplemental material, including an engrossing 2.5-hour retrospective documentary on the making of "Fright Night." This documentary dives deeply into the creation process and offers invaluable insights, making it a must-watch for avid fans and newcomers alike. Despite its initial sold-out status at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, patience is recommended as Sony's MOD line often sees re-releases, ensuring that determined collectors can eventually acquire this comprehensive package.

Conclusively, "Fright Night" is a bonafide classic, a throwback monster movie that will undoubtedly live on among the greats of its kind. This Blu-ray release compares favorably to other 80s vampire films, such as "The Lost Boys," and stands out as a complete package not to be missed. With its excellent audio-visual presentation and rich supplemental content, this edition of "Fright Night" comes very highly recommended.