Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" Blu-ray exemplifies a blend of stylistic ambition and technical intricacy, encapsulated within its 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer. The cinematographic choice to shoot predominantly on 35mm film, interspersed with footage from the digital Arri Alexa and the high-speed Phantom Flex camera, contributes to a visual texture that is as rich as it is varied. Despite this, the image often appears overly grainy, a consequence not alleviated by digital noise reduction (DNR), thankfully absent here. This deliberate graininess, coupled with a color grading that sometimes overshoots its mark, results in an image that occasionally suffers from an over-processed appearance. The use of heavy filters lends the film a somewhat unnatural look, evoking the excessive quality of an over-filtered photograph rather than adding desired period-authenticity.

Nonetheless, the Blu-ray's presentation boasts impressive levels of detail, particularly noticeable in closeups where the textures of clothing and individual hair strands stand out, accentuated by the stark contrasts of blood shades that the film employs to great effect. The color palette, despite its sometimes antiquated hues, does manage to make certain elements pop — most notably the reds and darker tones representative of blood and vampires respectively. However, challenges arise with the handling of black levels and shadow detail, which tend to crush slightly under the weight of the film's stylistic choices in coloration and scene composition. Fog and dust, intentionally added for atmospheric effect, further complicate the clarity of the picture but do not detract significantly from the overall visual experience.

In sum, while "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’s" Blu-ray video quality may draw some criticism for its heavy-handed style and occasional softness, it nonetheless delivers a commendably detailed and faithful reproduction of the filmmakers' vision. Details are preserved without succumbing to unnecessary digital manipulation, and colors, despite their stylization, contribute effectively to the narrative's atmosphere. The presentation’s fidelity to texture and detail in closeups proves to be one of its strongest aspects, ensuring that viewers are treated to a visual experience that is both absorbing and indicative of the Blu-ray format's capabilities.

The audio presentation of "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" on Blu-ray, powered by its rigorous DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, is a tour de force in sonic engineering, delivering a visceral auditory experience. From the textured ambience of nature and battlefield clamors to the meticulous directional sound effects, such as the ominous creak of floorboards, the lethal swing of Lincoln's axe, and the thunderous roar of cannons, this mix envelops the listener in a relentless assault of sound. Coupled with relentless bass that promises to unsettle any unsecured items atop your subwoofer, the audio track boasts a clarity and dynamic range that elevates Henry Jackman's menacing score, making each note of orchestrated tension and anachronistic guitar riffs punch through with remarkable clarity. Importantly, this powerhouse mix manages to keep dialogue sharply in focus, ensuring every word of Lincoln's voice-overs commands the attention it deserves, all while offering an extensive array of subtitle and dub options.

Moreover, the audio track shines with a polish that aggressively leverages the capabilities of the surround channels, engendering an immersive experience where directional sounds and panning effects are flawlessly executed. The sonic landscape is a battleground where every vampire hiss, cannon explosion, or structural calamity is rendered with staggering precision, providing a bass response that shakes the very foundation of any viewing space. Indeed, the audio mix does not merely support the film; it provides an indispensable layer of engagement, pulling the viewer directly into the fray with Lincoln. From engaging whispers to full-blown orchestral tempests, this Blu-ray exemplifies how sound can shape the cinematic experience, ensuring that even if one's feelings about the film itself are mixed, the audio presentation remains beyond reproach.

The "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" Blu Ray extras offer a unique blend of historical insight, creative process, and entertainment, ensuring an enriching experience for fans and newcomers alike. The highlight is undoubtedly the Audio Commentary by writer Seth Grahame-Smith, who provides a deep dive into the adaptation process and the melding of historical facts with fantasy. The commentary, although informative, suffers from occasional lapses due to the absence of directorial insights from Timur Bekmambetov. "The Making of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" stands out as an exhaustive documentary dissecting the movie's creation, from book to screen, with detailed sections on location scouting, fight choreography, and visual effects. Supplementary materials like the 'The Great Calamity' CGI short film and the 'Powerless' music video by Linkin Park, add layers of multimedia flair, while sneak peeks and the theatrical trailer round off the package, making it a comprehensive companion to the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Writer Seth Grahame-Smith: An insightful exploration into adapting the novel for the screen, balancing history with fiction.
• The Making of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: A five-part documentary covering the adaptation process, locations, fight choreography, makeup effects, and directorial vision.
• The Great Calamity: A cel-shaded CGI short featuring Edgar Allen Poe and the story of Elizabeth Bathory.
• Powerless Music Video by Linkin Park: The official music video offering an evocative thematic complement to the movie.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer providing a cinematic glimpse into the film’s essence.
• Sneak Peeks: A compilation of exclusive clips and previews related to the feature.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" ventures daringly into a mashup of historical fiction and horror, presenting an alternate reality where America's 16th president moonlights as a vampire slayer. The film stands out not for its historical accuracy or dedication to the gravity of Abraham Lincoln's legacy but for its bold reimagining of one of America's most iconic figures into a figure of tall tale proportions, armed with an ax and a mission to rid the world of vampires. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and penned by Seth Grahame-Smith, who also authored the novel the movie is based on, the narrative kicks off with a young Lincoln witnessing atrocities that set him on a path of revenge against supernatural entities, under the tutelage of vampire hunter Henry Sturges. This premise alone sets the tone for a film that oscillates between sincerity in its character portrayal and outright flamboyance in its action sequences.

However, the film grapples with an identity crisis, unable to fully commit to either a serious historical epic or a completely over-the-top vampire slaying adventure, resulting in a product that feels somewhat restrained despite its fantastical premise. The action is stylized, featuring Bekmambetov's signature dynamic combat scenes—including a memorable fight atop a locomotive—that showcase fluid choreography albeit marred by erratic editing. While Benjamin Walker brings a certain solemnity to the eponymous role, embodying Lincoln's stoic dignity against an absurd backdrop, the movie suffers from a lack of consistency in tone, navigating awkwardly between trying to offer a serious portrayal of Lincoln and delivering the unabashed fun its title promises.

In juxtaposition to its structural and tonal challenges, the film demonstrates an earnest engagement with its premise, playing it straight where another approach might have veered into parody, providing an unexpectedly immersive experience into this alternate past. The commitment to this unique vision of Lincoln as both a statesman and an action hero lends an oddly compelling charm to the narrative, memorable not just for its action-packed sequences but for how it interpolates historical events within its vampire-infested universe. Despite falling short of fully realizing the potential insanity suggested by its title, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" offers a peculiar yet fascinating blend of history and horror, leaving audiences entertained if not entirely satisfied.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," despite its whimsical title suggesting a blend of historical reverence with fantastical elements, navigates a precarious line between dull execution and entertaining revisionist cinema. The film's approach, akin to embedding supernatural antics within a historical narrative, tends towards a monotonous delivery rather than fully embracing the absurdity of its premise. This results in a viewing experience that feels surprisingly routine, missing the opportunity to explore its unique concept to the fullest. However, from a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray release shines with an excellently stylized picture quality and immersive audio, transforming even the most underwhelming sequences into a visually and auditorily pleasing experience.

On the flip side, there's an undeniable charm in how the film leans into its illogical foundations, thus crafting a 'raucously fun ride' through an alternative historical timeline. It melds action-packed scenes reminiscent of modern blockbusters with a storyline that doesn't shy away from its own ludicrousness, which, in turn, serves as its greatest strength. This balance of serious filmmaking techniques with inherently nonsensical plot points results in an entertainment piece that delivers on its promise of fun, further bolstered by substantial making-of extras featured on the Blu-ray. These aspects strongly cater to those in search of light-hearted amusement, specifically around the Halloween season.

In conclusion, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" presents a mixed bag of missed opportunities and surprisingly delightful entertainment. While it may falter in fully capitalizing on its inventive premise, leading to a presentation that could be perceived as lackluster to some, it succeeds in providing a visually and sonically impressive home-viewing experience. The Blu-ray edition, with its high-quality transfer and abundant extras, makes a compelling case for itself, particularly for viewers seeking an unconventional yet enjoyable cinematic journey. Nonetheless, it might be more suited to a rental rather than a purchase, unless one is particularly enamored with the film's unique blend of genre elements.