The Fly Blu-ray Review

"The Fly" arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, maintaining the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, offering fans a nostalgic dive into Cronenberg's classic. Despite the effort put into remastering, the video presentation reveals the film's age, mirroring concerns of prior versions appearing rough and grainy. The print lacks the rejuvenated vitality often expected from high-definition upgrades, with a prevalent graininess contributing to a sometimes grimy and obscured image. However, this grain does preserve the film's integrity, avoiding the pitfalls of over-processing. The enhancement in detail is noticeable yet not transformative, providing a clearer view of Seth's laboratory intricacies, facial textures, and the grotesquely colorful mutations that define the narrative's visual horror.

In terms of colors and black levels, the transfer exhibits a mixed bag. Colors, while generally accurate, don’t offer the vibrancy one might anticipate from a Blu-ray presentation. Fleshtones and blood reds are well-represented but lack the depth to truly pop off the screen. Black levels are inconsistent; while some scenes showcase solid shadows adding depth and atmosphere, others fall short, leaving a flat appearance that detracts from the overall visual impact. Notably, certain moments achieve aesthetic success, such as the hauntingly lit scenes featuring Brundlefly that capitalize on the remastering efforts.

Technical aspects of the transfer have been handled competently with no significant instances of compression artifacts or edge enhancement, though slight haloing is observed. Grain presence is perhaps emblematic of the source material's era and style rather than an inherent flaw, yet its prominence might be mistaken for noise by some. The overall visual experience suggests a careful remastering that improves upon previous editions but doesn't quite leap to the forefront of high-definition revelations. While this incarnation of "The Fly" in Blu-ray format remains a definitive version for enthusiasts, it underscores the challenges of revitalizing older films within the constraints of their original production qualities.

Fox's release of "The Fly" on Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English track alongside Dolby Digital (DD) 5.1 mixes in French and Spanish, providing a decent auditory experience that resonates best with Howard Shore's emphasized and somewhat overbearing musical score. Although the DTS track does not offer an intensely active soundscape, it does highlight key moments with precision, such as the transporter pods' whoosh-crackle, delivering a satisfying bass rumble and crisp high-ends. However, the overall range feels limited, with spatial distribution across the front channels appearing tight and constrained, and rear channel engagement primarily triggered by teleportation sequences. This mix maintains clarity in dialogue despite it sounding slightly thin, preserving the film's original sound design with fidelity and without introducing unwarranted effects.

The audio presentation does show its limitations, attributable to the film's 1986 vintage. The soundtrack, encoded in both 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and DD 2.0 for multilingual options, clarifies dialogue effectively—important for capturing Jeff Goldblum's nuanced performance. However, envelopment and surround effects are sporadic, reflecting both the era's technological constraints and the narrative's intimate scale rather than seeking to astound with modern auditory flair. Despite these constraints, moments like the dynamic crowd scenes and arm-wrestling sequence receive a minor atmospheric boost, albeit with a flat bass and a lack of distinctness in lower dialogue tones.

In essence, "The Fly" is presented with a sound mix that does justice to the original material without striving for contemporary spectacle. The limited atmospheric immersion and range are offset by careful handling of the film's score and crucial sound effects, ensuring an audio experience that is respectful of David Cronenberg's vision while acknowledging the film's age. The track succeeds in offering a clean and uncluttered listening experience suited to the film’s mood and period, with a particular emphasis on maintaining authenticity over showcasing technical prowess.

Combining insightful observations and details from multiple reviews, the Blu-ray extra presentation of "The Fly" is an essential collection for aficionados of the film. The comprehensive special features package includes everything from the DVD version and adds a few unique extras. Standouts include the in-depth documentary "The Fear Of The Flesh: The Making Of The Fly," which, despite lacking new interviews with director David Cronenberg, offers exhaustive coverage of the film's production with contributions from key cast and crew. The addition of the original short story, screenplay drafts, and a variety of pre-production footage offers valuable insights into the film's development. Furthermore, the inclusion of deleted scenes, such as the Monkey-Cat sequence, adds substantial value. Although the visuals are in standard definition, the sheer volume and quality of content render this a minor concern. The technical specifics, alongside a mixture of fun (the Fly Zapper Game) and educational extras (commentaries and trivia track), make this an exemplary compilation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Director David Cronenberg provides an articulate and comprehensive look at the film, covering everything from pre-production to final reception.
• The Fear Of The Flesh: The Making Of The Fly: A feature-length documentary divided into three parts that examines the making of the film in meticulous detail.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes various cut scenes, notable for containing the Monkey-Cat sequence in full.
• Film Tests: Preproduction footage showcasing lighting tests, make-up tests, and more.
• The Brundle Museum of Natural History: A featurette detailing the creation and use of practical effects in the film.
• Written Works: Contains George Langelaan's original short story, screenplay drafts by Charles Edward Pogue and David Cronenberg, and articles published at the time of the film's release.
• Promotional Materials: Trailers, TV spots, and promotional featurettes for "The Fly" and other related materials.
• Still Galleries: A massive collection of stills divided into categories such as Publicity, Behind The Scenes, and Concept Art.
• Trivia Track: Offers pop-up trivia about the making of the movie during playback.
• Java Features: Includes a Fly Zapper Game, along with Search Content and Personal Scene Selections features.

David Cronenberg's "The Fly," released in 1986, stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of science fiction horror, delivering an experience that skilfully interweaves elements of romance, paranoia, and bodily transformation. Distinguished by its intelligent narrative and character-driven storytelling, the film departs significantly from its 1958 predecessor, opting instead to explore the haunting and tragic implications of genetic fusion between a man and a housefly. Cronenberg, renowned for his fascination with the flesh’s mutability, crafts a narrative that is both intimate and harrowing, focusing on the relationship between the brilliant but eccentric scientist Seth Brundle (played with remarkable depth by Jeff Goldblum) and the ambitious journalist Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis), whose chemistry is palpable and lends authenticity to their on-screen romance.

Underpinning the narrative is Cronenberg’s nuanced examination of physical and psychological transformation. As Brundle's initial euphoria regarding his successful teleportation experiment gives way to horror upon realizing his fusion with a housefly, the film delves into themes of identity, mortality, and the inexorable decay of the human body. Cronenberg's methodical pacing allows audiences to fully comprehend the gravity of Brundle's predicament, oscillating between moments of tender human connection and shocking revelations of his metamorphosis. The special effects, though reflective of their time, effectively convey the grotesquerie of Brundle's transformation, underscoring the film's exploration of the consequences of unbridled scientific ambition.

"The Fly" is undeniably enhanced by Goldblum's transcendent performance, which captures Brundle's transition from charismatic intellect to tragic figure with heartrending nuance. Alongside Davis's compelling portrayal of Veronica, whose journey from curiosity to desperate empathy forms the emotional core of the film, "The Fly" succeeds in transcending its genre trappings. It remains not only a high point in Cronenberg's illustrious career but also a poignant meditation on love, loss, and the human condition, cementing its status as a classic that resonates far beyond its original release.

The Blu-ray release of "The Fly" presents an exemplary case of how to honor a classic horror film in the modern age. Fox has meticulously replicated the extras from the previous SD Special Edition, offering fans an extensive and immersive experience. The inclusion of David Cronenberg's insightful commentary and a comprehensive making-of documentary provides almost unbridled access to the film's creation, delivering a treasure trove for aficionados of the genre. Although the audio-visual transfer reveals a commitment to quality with its DTS-HD bass levels and an enhanced 1080p image that showcases an appreciable increase in detail, it is constrained by its original cinematic elements. This results in a presentation that, while significantly improved, still prominently reflects its eighties origins and does not entirely break through the visual limitations of its time.

Fox's treatment of "The Fly" underscores a profound respect for one of the more remarkable horror films of its era. Despite the inherent limitations of the source material, this Blu-ray edition represents the pinnacle of the movie's visual and auditory experience post-theatrical release. The exhaustive array of supplements - from still galleries and articles that demand hours of engagement, to an essential feature-length documentary - add immense value, making this BD50 disc a must-have. The combination of rich extras and significant upgrades in picture and sound quality makes this more than just a simple reissue; it transforms it into an essential piece of cinematic history for both longstanding fans and newcomers to Cronenberg's work.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray edition of "The Fly" is a compelling purchase, balancing nostalgic fidelity with technical enhancement. While there's an acknowledgment of its aged source material, the resolution and sound improvements, alongside the expansive special features, solidify its status as a premier collectible. Fans who may have hesitated due to previous ownership of the film in other formats are advised to consider this version for its substantive upgrades and unmatched behind-the-scenes access. Despite some desires for an even greater leap in audiovisual quality, the overall package undoubtedly offers a definitive celebration of Cronenberg's most accessible and entertaining picture, making it an irresistible addition to any horror or film aficionado's collection.