Open Grave Blu-ray Review

"Open Grave" is presented on Blu-ray by Cinedigm with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.42:1 aspect ratio. Impressively shot on actual celluloid, the film maintains a nice grain field, giving it a properly filmic texture. Despite its independent production, "Open Grave" defies expectations with its clear image quality, filled with fine details and textures. Contrast is generally consistent, aiding the film's alternating dark and sun-drenched scenes, though there are moments of crush and lackluster shadow detail. Thankfully, the transfer is free from overt compression artifacts and maintains sharp edges and crisp blacks and whites throughout.

The color palette leans towards the colder end of the spectrum, yet vibrant reds and greens effectively break up the drabness, bringing a stark contrast to the visual presentation. The opening sequence is dominated by blue hues, but colors remain accurate and decently saturated in other scenes. Fine detail stands out across various elements, from blood and dirt on clothing to the richness of the wooded surroundings. However, there are occasional lapses into softer focus. Depth is rather average overall, with standout moments occurring during scenes in the pit and a significant shot at the film's conclusion.

Overall, "Open Grave" delivers an engaging and visually appealing presentation on Blu-ray that benefits from thoughtful cinematographic choices, despite a few technical imperfections. The film's aesthetics are bolstered by a realistic, well-saturated color wheel and consistent flesh tones, providing an immersive viewing experience for audiences.

The audio presentation of "Open Grave" on Blu-ray is anchored by a highly effective DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that excels in creating an immersive and atmospheric soundscape. The mix leverages low-frequency effects to enhance the film's tension, particularly evident in sequences involving car engines, crashes, and gunshots. The outdoor scenes benefit from meticulously crafted ambient environmental effects, such as birds chirping and subtle background noises, which move dynamically between speakers. This design ensures that viewers are enveloped in the film’s eerie atmosphere, feeling shifts and scares almost in tandem with the characters themselves.

Dialogue is predominantly centered in the front channels, offering clear and crisp reproduction that ensures comprehensibility. Notably, the dialogue occasionally spreads across other channels to heighten suspense and the sense of unseen menace—a technique that enriches the horror experience. The mix's balance and imaging, particularly via the rear channels, are standout features, contributing to an immersive sound field that significantly bolsters the film’s effectiveness.

Moreover, the sound effects are distributed thoughtfully across both front and rear channels, with heavier elements anchored at the front. The dynamics of the audio are expertly handled, providing a sense of volume and contrast that leverages the genre’s need for sudden jumps to startle the audience. While not overwhelmingly forceful, the LFE adds impactful depth during key moments such as driving and action sequences. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix does a commendable job of amplifying the film's atmosphere, making it a crucial component of the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Open Grave" offer a brief but informative peek into the production, although they lack depth and extensive content. Both featurettes provide essential glimpses into the film with cast and crew insights, mingled with on-set footage, forming a predictable yet adequate behind-the-scenes look. These segments deliver some engaging commentary from the actors and filmmakers, discussing their enthusiasm for the screenplay and the thriller genre. Despite their brevity, these extras serve to enrich the viewing experience by providing a concise background on the making of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind the Scenes Featurette: Standard EPK with interviews and film scenes.
• Making of Open Grave: Insightful talking heads with actor impressions of the screenplay.

"Open Grave," directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego, offers a compelling premise reminiscent of classic amnesia-driven psychological thrillers but ultimately suffers from uneven execution and a cluttered narrative. The film opens with a man, John (Sharlto Copley), awakening in a pit of corpses with no memory of who he is or how he got there, immediately setting a grim and intriguing tone. His confusion is shared by five other amnesiac characters, creating an ensemble cast swirling in a mystery as they piece together their identities and the horrifying events that led them to this scenario. This setup has significant potential, particularly for fans of post-apocalyptic horror, but the film's insistence on overusing traditional horror tropes, like zombie-like creatures, detracts from its initially captivating premise.

Technically, "Open Grave" attempts to blend different styles, employing first-person flashbacks to deepen the sense of mystery and disorientation. While these elements offer some effective jump scares, they often feel more like red herrings than meaningful clues, ultimately diluting the narrative's coherence. Writers Eddie and Chris Borey attempt to juggle multiple genres—whodunit, psychological thriller, and supernatural horror—but this lack of focus results in an underwhelming and jumbled storyline. Despite early promise, the film stumbles through its second and third acts, relying heavily on contrivances and failing to deliver on its initial suspense. The character development suffers as well, leaving most of the ensemble feeling like "stock" horror movie archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals.

Performance-wise, Sharlto Copley carries the film as John, injecting his character with enough intrigue to keep viewers mildly engaged. However, the lack of substantial character arcs and meaningful interactions among the ensemble cast limits the emotional impact of their collective plight. The film's climax, while providing answers, feels anticlimactic and overly familiar within the genre's lexicon. "Open Grave" could have benefited from more inventive storytelling and stronger character development to rise above its middle-of-the-road execution. For those seeking a diversion from mainstream horror fare, it offers a fleeting escape but lacks the depth necessary for lasting impact.

"Open Grave" starts with an intriguing premise featuring amnesiac characters and a pit full of corpses, capturing the audience’s attention immediately. However, as the storyline unfolds, it becomes clear that the narrative struggles to deliver satisfying answers. The film oscillates between misleading clues and heavy-handed revelations, resulting in a disjointed mystery that lacks a cathartic payoff. Despite these script shortcomings, the actors deliver commendable performances, and director Gonzalo López-Gallego stages the scenes effectively with occasional scares.

The central issue lies with the film's ambition to deliver a grand, expansive story when a tighter, more focused narrative would have served better. Paper-thin characters and unattended subplots distract rather than enhance the plot, causing it to plunge into generic horror tropes that feel outdated. On the technical side, the Blu-ray release excels, offering high-quality image and sound that enhance the viewing experience even if the content falls short.

In conclusion, "Open Grave" presents a mixed bag – an engaging premise hindered by an inconsistent plot execution. Fans of the genre might find enough merit in the performances and occasional scares to justify a watch. However, it may be more prudent to opt for a rental or VOD given the film’s lack of substantive extras and its overall underwhelming narrative delivery. If you enjoy exploring new horror titles for a movie night, this Blu-ray might still make for a passable addition to your roster.