Halloween Ends 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 78
from 6 reviewers
Review Date:
Halloween Ends disappoints but offers a technically solid 4K release with mixed reception.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 85
Halloween Ends' 4K UHD presentation excels in detail, color depth, and contrast, capturing the film's dark aesthetic with nuanced shadows and vivid textures, maintaining a cinematic feel.
Audio: 86
The 4K disc's Dolby Atmos audio track flawlessly balances dialogue, effects, and Carpenter's score, delivering an immersive and dynamic experience with precise spatial details and robust bass.
Extra: 62
The 'Halloween Ends' Blu-ray release offers a mixed bag of extras dominated by a detailed but often self-congratulatory commentary, underwhelming featurettes, and a few notable deleted scenes hinting at a lost potential.
Movie: 58
Halloween Ends disappoints fans with unmet promises of an epic finale and diverges from its slasher roots, despite some thematic depth and nods to the franchise's legacy.
Video: 85
Halloween Ends arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray courtesy of Universal, boasting a faithful transfer that maintains the film's digital pedigree. Shot on Arri Alexa cameras, the filmmakers employed Cooke Anamorphic/i and Hawk V-Plus Anamorphic lenses to cultivate a visual nod to the franchise's origins, albeit with a contemporary digital clarity. Mastered from a 4K digital intermediate with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, this release benefits from 10-bit video depth, wide color gamut (WCG), and both HDR10 and Dolby Vision grading. With impeccable depth in shadows and delightfully deep blacks, the visual finesse here is underscored by a meticulous attention to texture and detail—be it the nuanced portrayals of the flapper costume in the opening sequence or the intricacies of Michael’s burnt mask. Despite being a notably dark film, its visual narrative is compellingly conveyed through rich, well-balanced hues and crisp definition, particularly in low-light conditions where improved shadow detailing and contrast come to the forefront.
The UHD presentation shines in its reproduction of colors and maintenance of natural skin tones, offering a visual experience that feels both organic and cinematic. Sunlit scenes and the dappled autumnal ambiance reveal a lush spectrum of colors, enhancing the naturalistic aesthetic of the imagery. Meanwhile, the Dolby Vision's prowess is evident, enriching the darker segments with pronounced depth and nuance, without compromising detail through crush. Particularly noteworthy are the sequences that juxtapose vibrant highlights against dark backdrops, such as the neon lights during the radio transmitter scene or strobes at the costume party, which exhibit an optimal blend of brightness and contrast. This accentuates the dynamic range capabilities of the format, showcasing meticulous color grading that elevates the atmospheric tension intrinsic to the narrative.
The 2160p resolution significantly enhances visual clarity across a variety of scenes—from the intimacy of facial features to the broader, stark landscapes of Haddonfield. Each element, whether it be clothing texture or environmental nuances, is rendered with an exceptional level of sharpness that never feels unnatural or overly processed. This adherence to a 'filmic' aesthetic, devoid of grain yet brimming with detail, benefits immensely from an HEVC encoding on a BD-100 disc, ensuring optimal video bitrate and seamless compression. As such, Halloween Ends not only continues but elevates the visual standard set by its predecessors in this trilogy, presenting a 4K experience that is robust in detail and rich in atmospheric density without pushing the format to its outer limits.
Audio: 86
The audio presentation of "Halloween Ends" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is both aurally arresting and technically proficient, showcasing a dynamic Dolby Atmos track that excels in delivering an immersive sound experience. The English Atmos track, compatible with 7.1 Dolby TrueHD, offers a wide dynamic and tonal range, where the deep bass enhances John Carpenter’s iconic score and the atmospheric sound effects. Dialogues are crystal clear and perfectly positioned in the center, ensuring clarity against the layered mix of music and effects. The subtlety in spacing and dimensional sound placement adds texture to the overall soundscape, particularly noticeable in sequences filled with nuanced background noises like creaking steps and ticking clocks.
The soundtrack makes commendable use of the overhead channels, providing an added layer of immersion with discrete atmospheric sounds and score bleed that heighten the film’s tension and horror ambiance. The mix balances the powerful LFE channel with nuanced ambient sounds and dialogues, creating a cohesive auditory experience that supports the on-screen action without overwhelming it. Scenes in spacious locations like the ominous opening house scene or the echoic tunnel location showcase an impressive use of surround and height channels, keeping them actively engaged with well-placed sound effects and Carpenter’s moody score enriching every scene without dominating the soundscape.
Despite the excellent utilization of surround and height channels, there's room for a hint of criticism in the occasionally underplayed ambient effects, suggesting a missed opportunity for creating a more consistently enveloping sound bubble. Nevertheless, the meticulous attention to detail in sound layering and the strategic deployment of sound across all channels contribute to a distinctly effective horror film audio experience. The inclusion of multiple audio tracks and subtitles, including Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus and French 5.1 Dolby Digital, alongside a broad array of subtitle options ensures accessibility to a wide audience, making this 4K UHD Blu-ray an exemplary release in terms of both visual and auditory presentation.
Extras: 62
The "Halloween Ends" 4K UHD Blu-Ray extras serve as a mixed bag, laden with both the essentials for franchise devotees and trivial fluff for casual viewers. They provide an in-depth exploration of the film’s closure, detailed looks at its new and returning characters, and an insight into the creative process behind the iconic horror sequel. The included deleted scenes, particularly one highlighting an unexplored storyline, emphasize the fragmented vision within the trilogy. The commentary, albeit intermittently insightful, tends to veer into self-congratulatory territory, much like the featurettes which often skirt around deeper thematic discussions in favor of surface-level praise. Nonetheless, for those interested in the technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking, segments like "The Visions of Terror" and "Twisted Deaths" offer genuine interest by delving into costume and set design as well as kill sequences. This collection, albeit exhaustive in appearance, skews towards being a one-time viewing experience, especially for those seeking substantial analytical content about the film’s lore or production intricacies.
Extras included in this disc:
- Deleted and Extended Scenes: Moments cut from the final film offering additional context and character development.
- Final Girl: Jamie Lee Curtis reflects on Laurie Strode's legacy and her personal journey with the role.
- No Place Like Haddonfield: A dive into the setting of Haddonfield and its significance within the Halloween saga.
- Gag Reel: Light-hearted outtakes from the filming process.
- Ending Halloween: Insights into how the filmmakers planned to conclude this storied franchise.
- A Different Threat: Analysis of the film's new antagonist and what they bring to the horror table.
- The Visions of Terror: A behind-the-scenes look at costume, set design, and how the film's visual tone was achieved.
- Twisted Deaths: An exploration into the crafting of the film’s most memorable death scenes.
- Feature Commentary: Conversations with the filmmakers and cast offering additional perspectives on the creation of "Halloween Ends.
Movie: 58
As the curtain falls on the saga that reignited a legendary horror franchise, "Halloween Ends" carries the weighty expectations of delivering a grand finale to the confrontational odyssey between Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and the nefarious Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney). With promises of an epic conclusion floated by the creators, including writer/director David Gordon Green, the film is scrutinized for its ability to satisfy fans' cravings for a traditional slasher while attempting to imbue it with contemporary thematic depths. Despite ambitions to transcend its genre by weaving existential musings on trauma, evil's genesis, and societal fragments, the film struggles to cohesively meld its philosophical aspirations with the quintessential elements that define a slasher flick.
Intriguingly, "Halloween Ends" diverges by investing heavily in character development, particularly through the introduction of Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), whose tragic narrative intersects with Laurie's and challenges Michael’s central villainy. This bold narrative choice pivots away from mere bloodshed to explore grief's nuances and the communal impact of enduring terror. However, the inclusion of Corey and a perceived sidelining of Michael has polarized audiences, spotlighting a discord between innovative storytelling and the franchise's foundational appeal. The elaborate homage to John Carpenter's original and its cinematic universe, while rich in fan service, at times feels at odds with the film's narrative coherence and the iconic final showdown that many felt was underwhelming.
Technically, "Halloween Ends" capitalizes on high production values, a compelling score by John and Cody Carpenter, and a solid ensemble cast. Nevertheless, it falters in fulfilling the basic premise expected of it as the trilogy's climax—delivering a thrilling slasher experience. This incongruence between expectation and execution marks a missed opportunity to seamlessly blend homage with innovation, leaving fans divided over its legacy in the Halloween pantheon. Despite this, the film's ambitious attempt at story-driven horror and character arcs undeniably adds a unique layer to the franchise’s storied history, even if it diverges from its core slasher roots.
Total: 78
Halloween Ends," the latest entry in the iconic franchise, ventures into a polarizing finale that has left audiences divided. On one hand, the film's resolution to the long-standing duel between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers presents an audacious twist that some find refreshingly bold after the relative safety of its predecessors. However, many fans are left disillusioned, criticizing the film for its deviation from expected narratives and what they perceive as a clumsy execution. Despite these narrative shortcomings, the release shines in its technical presentation. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment delivers a 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack that boasts excellent image quality with an impressive Dolby Vision transfer, and outstanding audio, highlighted by a robust Dolby Atmos sound mix. The package is complemented with a collection of extras, albeit the content leans more towards quantity over depth, leaving enthusiasts craving more substantial bonus materials.
The disc's high fidelity visuals and audio provide an immersive experience that nearly compensates for the movie's narratively disjointed approach, which appears as an attempt to innovate within a genre formula but ultimately falters in satisfying the saga's longstanding fans. Despite these narrative miscues, the film is not devoid of merits, offering moments of genuine entertainment and what can be interpreted as a daring departure from convention—a characteristic that may, in time, be viewed more favorably.
In conclusion, "Halloween Ends" stands as a controversial conclusion to a venerable horror series - both compelling and disappointing. Its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation emerges as its redeeming factor, showcasing technical excellence that will appeal to audiophiles and videophiles alike. While the film itself may not have lived up to every fan's expectations, this release ensures that those willing to own it will enjoy high-quality picture and sound within their home collection. Nonetheless, the yearning for a more definitive collector's edition with in-depth materials persists among the franchise's devotees. This blend of innovative risk-taking in storytelling, paired with unparalleled home video quality, encapsulates this chapter's legacy—a mixed bag that garners both critique and commendation.
avforums review by Mark CostelloRead review here
Video: 80
Halloween Ends is typical of most studio horror films shot in the 21st century – shot digitally on Arri Alexa cameras, with the anamorphic process used to mimic the original look and feel of the original...
Audio: 80
Sharing sonic qualities with its predecessor, it gets the basics absolutely right – there’s a huge dynamic and tonal range present in the English Atmos track: bass is deep and driven by the punchy bass...
Extras: 40
However buried deep within the deleted scenes is a single scene that hinted at what could and should have been – while one of the characters is being killed, the kids of Haddonfield are going gonzo, hinting...
Movie: 50
Yet despite a handful of well executed thrill kill scenes (the opening baby-sitting accident is the best scene in the entire film and shows that Gordon Green can do when he puts his mind to it), the overarching...
Total: 50
the film itself clearly has major problems And it’s another bog-standard major studio 4K release – a good transfer with extras that almost insult rather than inform/entertain....
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 80
For the best in clarity and definition, not to mention the absolute absence of compression issues and the superior low light noise management compared to the Blu-ray, this is certainly the way to go....
Audio: 90
Such high-power discrete elements carry throughout, not all of them taking full advantage of the height channels but certainly making use of the full stage and the surround-back speakers for some highly...
Extras: 90
The Visions of Terror (2160p/Dolby Vision, 5:47): Michael Myers costumes and continuity, the iconic mask, the cave set, the radio station, inspirations, and the overall texture and look of this Halloween...
Movie: 50
The story of a relatively good guy who makes a mistake, is outcast, and goes bad is not terribly novel, and the film cannot find much of a significant, narratively worthwhile, or universe building arc...
Total: 60
Halloween Ends has some really good parts in place, but it squanders too many of them and flounders even when it seems to be inching closer to the target....
The Digital Bits review by Tim SalmonsRead review here
Video: 95
The digital look of the film clashes visually with footage from the original film, but it’s sparing, and the majority of the presentation is strong with greater detail and dimension apparent in the darkest...
Audio: 95
Like the UHD of the previous film, the Atmos track offers great support for the film’s various elements, particularly with its use of the overhead channels....
Extras: 55
It’s kind of frustrating that they mention or allude to other behind-the-scenes moments and deleted scenes that are not included with this release because, as such, the bonus materials (outside of the...
Movie: 80
But thirteen films into the franchise, we get something Michael Myers-related that goes in an unexpected direction, one that polarized audiences who were lined up at the theater or kicked back on their...
Total: 81
Say what you will about Halloween Ends, but it’s refreshing that after the filmmakers and the studio behind it played things safe for two films they decided to take the leap and do something drastically...
High-Def Digest review by Matthew HartmanRead review here
Video: 90
As has been the case with each of these new Halloween films, black levels are thick but never crushed and shadows offer plenty of light and color gradience to give a notable sense of depth to the image....
Audio: 90
Going back to that tunnel location, it’s quiet and creepy with dripping water, echo, and shuffling feet scraping on the concrete for another immersive location example....
Extras: 60
The audio commentary is the most interesting and informative of the lot, the deleted scenes aren’t all that interesting except for an extended piece where Corey finds where Michael has been storing some...
Movie: 50
I actually thought the character of Corey was a genuinely brilliant addition to the franchise....
Total: 70
Halloween Ends is just another run of many potentially interesting and franchise-reinvigorating takes that simply miss the mark....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 94
The 1080p transfer looks terrific and this Ultra HD rendering takes it to the next level with a discernible increase in detail, emboldened highlights, both light and dark, and a noticeably vibrant image....
Audio: 90
In listening to the Dolby Atmos surround mix I found it to be of the moderately active variety that made effective use of the platform....
Extras: 70
• The Visions of Terror - See how various production departments came together to achieve the film's unique visual style....
Movie: 50
When a young man is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, a cascade of violence and terror is ignited with a final confrontation between Laurie and Michael unlike any ever captured on screen....
Total: 76
While not up the level of its subject’s beginning, this rather inauspicious conclusion gets the job done, closing the door on a horror icon....
Why So Blu? review by Brandon PetersRead review here
Video: 90
Depth of field is pretty impressive with good pushback and scale on display throughout the film....
Audio: 90
There’s plenty of fun around the room with both creepy ambiance as well as some nice unique jumps coming from the rear and side channels....
Extras: 60
Gag Reel (4K, 2:45)Ending Halloween (4K, 8:26) – A featurette going over the idea and inspirations for coming up with this story and what would be the way to put a cap on this version of the branching...
Movie: 70
However, when a young man stands accused of murdering a boy that he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that forces Laurie to confront the evil she can’t control....
Total: 80
This is the kind of different and experimental avenues I praise a series of “Guy in mask stabs people” that I’ve loved for most of my life for doing....
Director: David Gordon Green
Actors: Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney
PlotFour years have passed since the last horrific encounter with the masked killer Michael Myers in Haddonfield. The town is still reeling from the trauma, with survivors coping in various ways. Laurie Strode, having outlived her daughter, now lives with her granddaughter Allyson and is determined to let go of her fear and rage. Despite her efforts to live a normal life, Laurie continues to write her memoir, trying to make sense of the violence and loss she's endured. Myers has not been seen since that fateful night, and his absence casts a lingering shadow over the town.
On Halloween, a young boy named Corey Cunningham is babysitting in the same neighborhood where past atrocities occurred. An accidental tragedy strikes, turning Corey into a pariah in Haddonfield. The incident irreparably alters his life, subjecting him to the community's suspicion and ridicule, leaving him to wander a familiar path of despair. Meanwhile, Allyson, who has been trying to rebuild her life, crosses paths with Corey, and they find solace in each other's traumatic experiences. But as the holiday approaches, a series of violent events suggest that the nightmare might not be over, renewing old fears and pointing to the possibility that evil has returned to Haddonfield.
Writers: John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Paul Brad Logan
Release Date: 14 Oct 2022
Runtime: 111 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English