Critters 4 Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Critters 4" on Blu-ray, delivered through an AVC encoded image in a 1.86:1 aspect ratio, remains serviceable despite its reliance on an older master. Shout Factory’s attempt to enhance this presentation reveals a mixed outcome. The detail is most apparent during tight close-ups, showcasing some facial textures and specific puppet particulars. However, overall softness persists, even as ship interiors retain passable clarity with discernible panels and halls. The color palette occasionally shines with bolder hues where glowing lights on control stations and costumed yellows and reds offer some vividness, though the overall feature remains dark and muted.

The black levels are largely on point, achieving pure blacks particularly in space scenes, though they falter at times, allowing noise to intrude into shadowed areas. Encoding efforts manage to maintain the picture’s integrity except for occasional compression issues, notably in scenes where blue walls challenge the performance. The mood is stark, with the setting's gray walls dominating the aesthetic and limiting primary color use. The most saturated moment appears within a scene set inside a pharmacy, presenting an array of differently colored pills that punctuate the generally muted tone of the film.

While grain replication stumbles into problematic patches and remains a persistent issue throughout the feature, making grain appear somewhat "zombified", the overall transfer holds just enough detail to earn a pass. Textural elements such as trap doors exhibit convincingly painted wood textures, bolstered by auditory cues—albeit with some inadvertent blending of sound and visual imperfections. Ultimately, while not remarkable, this Blu-ray iteration succeeds in preserving essential visual content, contributing to an adequate viewing experience for this cult-favorite sequel.

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA audio presentation of "Critters 4" showcases a sound mix that maintains basic intelligibility without striving for theatrically ambitious sonics. Dialogue remains clear and well-defined, encapsulating the constant bickering and interpersonal tensions among the characters. However, the sound effects and musical score, while consistent, are rather unremarkable. Synthetic waves support the sci-fi theme adequately but lack punch, with gunshots and explosion sequences falling notably short in impact.

The routine DTS-HD mixing displays commendable clean fidelity, with dialogue rendering effectively across various high treble areas without degradation. Despite some instances of natural panning during ship movements, overall channel separation is minimal and lacks directional depth. Essentially, this audio mix prioritizes basic clarity and functionality over dynamic range and immersive experience, aligning with the direct-to-video nature of the production.

The Blu-ray release of "Critters 4" offers a compelling assortment of extras that delve into the movie's production intricacies and franchise legacy. Among the highlights is an engaging director's commentary by Rupert Harvey, providing valuable insights into his cinematic approach. The featurette "Space Madness," running close to 23 minutes, offers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look, featuring interviews with cast and crew as they recount the challenges and unique aspects of transitioning the series' setting from a familiar apartment building to a space station. Particular attention is given to the design sets and narrative decisions, with candid reflections on the film's tone and reception. Additionally, the still gallery and trailer round out the offerings, providing fans with a comprehensive package that celebrates both the making and ongoing impact of "Critters 4."

Extras included in this disc:

• Director Commentary: Rupert Harvey discusses his directorial vision.
• Space Madness: Detailed featurette on the movie's production challenges and changes.
• Still Gallery: Collection of behind-the-scenes photos and artwork.
• Trailer: Theatrical preview of the film.

New Line Cinema's decision to take the Critters series direct-to-video after the theatrical disappointment of "Critters 2" led to the back-to-back production of "Critters 3" and "Critters 4." Directed by Rupert Harvey, "Critters 4" opts for a space setting, unleashing the Crites on a space station. The film attempts to deliver a haunted house vibe but fails to maintain the humor and charm of its predecessors. Instead, it indulges in a monotonous wait for the monsters, who barely make an appearance, shifting the focus instead to tedious human interactions. This diminishes the exhilaration fans expect from a Critters movie.

The storyline picks up decades after intergalactic bounty hunter Charlie (Don Opper) is accidentally shot into space, entering stasis with the last two Crite eggs. Discovered by the crew of the salvage ship RSS Tesla, including engineer Al (Brad Dourif) and pilot Fran (Angela Bassett), they’re ordered to deliver the pod. The narrative does little to progress, focusing instead on internal disputes and bland character arcs as teacher-turned-badass Rick (Anders Hove) opens the pod, unleashing Charlie and the Crites. The resulting chaos feels minimal and underwhelming, with more emphasis on human squabbles than creature carnage.

Budget constraints are evident as the film is limited to a few sets. Production designer Philip Dean Foreman tries to add visual intrigue, creating industrial hallways and control rooms that partially mask the film's blandness. Composer Peter Manning Robinson's faux Vangelis score adds an ambitious sci-fi touch but doesn't salvage the pacing issues. Critters hardly appear until nearly an hour in, leaving the audience mostly with dystopian dialogue and repetitive corridor scenes. In essence, "Critters 4" squanders its premise, rendering it a tedious disappointment in an otherwise enjoyable creature feature franchise.

Critters 4 attempts to bring the horror-comedy franchise to a new frontier, but unfortunately falls short in execution. Despite featuring notable actors like Brad Dourif and Angela Bassett, the film's potential is stifled by a lackluster screenplay and uninspired direction. These actors' attempts to breathe life into their roles are evident, but the dramatic material provided is insufficient to sustain the audience's interest.

The movie's premise of "Crites in Space" offers an intriguing concept, yet the narrative fails to capitalize on this idea. The direction lacks the boldness needed to transform low-budget constraints into creatively engaging scenes. The film does not leverage its new setting to introduce fresh and thrilling challenges or engage the audience with inventive storytelling.

In essence, Critters 4 struggles to find a unique voice within its established franchise, resulting in a final product that feels more like a chore than entertainment. As a space adventure, it lacks vigor and excitement; as a series finale, it leaves much to be desired. The film's failure to deliver on its premise makes it hard to recommend to fans or new viewers alike.