Hatchet Blu-ray Review

Anchor Bay Entertainment delivers a commendable 1080p AVC MPEG-4 transfer for "Hatchet," which significantly elevates the visual quality of this low-budget B-movie. The film, presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, impresses with its deep and inky black levels, crucial given the film's predominantly dark scenes. Despite the often dim lighting, detail is maintained, and the textures in character faces, clothing, and the surrounding New Orleans environment are rendered with sharpness and clarity. Colors, especially in early daylight scenes, have a notable vibrancy. However, there is an occasional over-processed sheen and some shots do appear slightly soft. Nonetheless, the grain retained in the film enhances its cinematic feel without introducing unsightly noise.

Night scenes are where the transfer truly excels. Comparable films often falter in dark environments, but "Hatchet" is a standout exception. The nighttime sequences are minimally grainy with impressive, crisp details. Black levels and contrast hold up admirably, preventing crucial scene details from being obscured. Some reviewers noted a slight bump in contrast, which they found enhanced nighttime enjoyment rather than detract from it. While the high sharpness occasionally highlights the budgetary constraints of makeup and gore effects, giving Victor Crowley a "rubber appliance" look, it is a minor downside in an otherwise impressive transfer.

Ultimately, though not perfect and with minor imperfections, Anchor Bay’s Blu-ray presentation of "Hatchet" is likely the game's highest visual fidelity. The transfer's ability to maintain atmosphere and detail in low light conditions is exceptional. Fans will find this Blu-ray release to be a significant improvement over previous formats and more than satisfactory for home viewing needs.

Anchor Bay Entertainment impressively unleashes "Hatchet" on Blu-ray with a potent Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This audio presentation vigorously supports the film's fast-paced, gory visuals with an immersive soundscape capturing the Louisiana bayou's swampy ambience, heavy rain, and booming thunder. While not the most nuanced sound mix, it successfully creates an atmosphere where horror sounds like crunches and screams feel immediate and involving. The music, notably aggressive and loud, also maintains clarity, with tracks such as Marilyn Manson's contribution during the opening credits standing out.

This mix fluctuates between eerie atmospheric effects and slam-bang-crash loudness, which adds to the immersive experience. The rear speakers are employed effectively to capture both environmental sounds like rainfall and the menacing sounds of Victor Crowley's actions. Dialogue is consistently well-balanced and clear, effortlessly flowing from the center channel. Although there could be finer directionality and more sophisticated nuances, considering the movie's lower budget, this surround track is both satisfying and more than adequate, rendering key sound effects with just the right amount of punch.

Overall, this Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track may not reach the heights of reference discs but it admirably fits the film's tone, consistently delivering a loud, immersive experience. The inclusion of English SDH and Spanish subtitles further supports accessibility, adding another layer of completeness to this solid audio offering by Anchor Bay.

Anchor Bay’s Blu-ray release of "Hatchet" impresses with an extensive array of extras that provide in-depth insights and behind-the-scenes glimpses for fans and film enthusiasts alike. Headlining the package are two audio commentaries. The first, newly recorded, features Writer/Director Adam Green and Actor Kane Hodder, focusing on post-release reflections and the current state of the horror genre. Hodder stands out with his articulate and engaging commentary. The second track, carried over from the original release, includes Green, cinematographer Will Barratt, and actors Tamara Feldman, Joel David Moore, and Deon Richmond, delving into the intricacies of indie filmmaking. Additionally, the disc boasts five well-produced featurettes, a gag reel, and promotional content. Despite some redundancy in content, these extras collectively offer robust and entertaining supplementary material.

Extras included in this disc:

• All New Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Adam Green and Actor Kane Hodder: A reflective commentary with insights into the horror genre and movie-making challenges.
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Adam Green, cinematographer Will Barratt, and actors Tamara Feldman, Joel David Moore, and Deon Richmond: A detailed look at the film’s production.
• Gag Reel: A collection of outtakes offering a lighter side of production.
• The Making of Hatchet: A thorough documentary on the film's journey from concept to completion.
• Meeting Victor Crowley: Explores Kane Hodder’s portrayal of Victor Crowley and the creation of the character.
• Guts & Gore: An examination of the film’s special makeup and prosthetic effects.
• Anatomy of a Kill: Detailed breakdown of a signature kill scene.
• A Twisted Tale: The story of Adam Green’s friendship with Dee Snider.
• Previews: Trailers for other feature films.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for "Hatchet".

Adam Green's "Hatchet" offers a unique blend of parody and homage to 1980s slasher films, cleverly transforming classic tropes into a gore-filled yet humor-laden experience. Set in the eerie New Orleans swamps, the narrative introduces Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder), a disfigured psychopath with a penchant for brutal slaughter. The film follows a group of hapless tourists, led by protagonist Ben (Joel David Moore), who inadvertently wander into Crowley's territory during a ghost tour. Expecting cheap thrills, they encounter a night of relentless violence and terror. Green balances the grim atmosphere with inside jokes and black humor aimed at genre aficionados, making the carnage less disturbing and more entertaining.

Technically, "Hatchet" stands out for its practical effects and unabashedly graphic violence. Director Adam Green masterfully executes gruesome death scenes, reminiscent of classics like "Saw," without overstepping into torture-porn territory. Heads are split open, limbs are severed, and the blood flows freely—but it's all presented with a wink to the audience, diffusing the shock with a sense of playfulness. The predictable plot—featuring familiar slasher clichés and a cast that includes a wannabe porn director, an intriguing mystery girl, and various other stereotypes—relies heavily on genre conventions but is elevated by Green's clear passion for horror filmmaking.

Victor Crowley emerges as a memorable antagonist, combining traits of iconic killers like Jason Voorhees with an original backstory that enriches but never overshadows the carnage. The film's cast, including notable horror names like Robert Englund and Tony Todd, deliver performances that fit the film’s tone: straight-faced but with an underlying humor. Though it lacks political subtext or intricate narrative layers, "Hatchet" embraces its identity as an old-school American slasher movie—a straightforward celebration of gore, dark humor, and genre nostalgia.

"Hatchet" on Blu-ray embodies the essence of unabashedly gory slasher films, relishing in its homage to Old School American Horror. While it does not offer originality or a groundbreaking redefinition of its genre, the movie's commitment to relentless splatter and violence is undeniable. Directed by Adam Green, the film balances its gruesome elements with a dark sense of humor, making it entertaining for those with strong stomachs. However, it is important to note that this film, while crafted with care, does not aspire to the heights of genre classics like "Halloween," "Scream," or "Saw."

The Blu-ray release by Anchor Bay Entertainment offers a commendable technical presentation. The audio and video quality are above average, enhancing the vividness of the film's graphic content. Moreover, the disc is packed with an array of special features that will delight horror enthusiasts. Notably, the commentary tracks and the "Twisted Tale" feature stand out as highlights among the extras.

In conclusion, "Hatchet" is a fun, if not silly and excessively bloody, horror flick. It is recommended for diehard slasher fans and those in search of an entertaining midnight movie experience. Just approach it with the right expectations – don't expect a serious fright-fest. Anchor Bay continues its tradition of enhancing catalog horror titles with strong technical presentations and valuable extras. Overall, "Hatchet" is a solid purchase for fans and a fun rental for all others. Expect more from Adam Green in the future; his promise as a director shines through this gleefully violent endeavor.