The Children Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Children" in 1080p employs the AVC codec at an average bitrate of 18Mbps, delivering a visual experience that is both competent and flawed. The saturated color scheme is immediately noticeable, with reds, yellows, blues, and greens standing out against the film's wintry backdrop. While this vibrant palette enhances the cheerful setting intended by the filmmakers, it compromises black level depth slightly, leading to a less dynamic image. Despite these issues, contrast remains robust, which helps fine details emerge from the shadows consistently throughout the film. However, a consistent softness in the image limits the portrayal of finer textures and details, such as facial features or fabric designs.

From a technical perspective, the encode for "The Children" (1.85:1 aspect ratio) is reasonable but does not meet the highest standards of high-definition Blu-ray transfers. Night scenes reveal weak black levels and poor shadow delineation, contributing to an overall flatter image. Higher contrast boosts the vibrancy of certain colors like yellows and reds but also negatively impacts fleshtones, which appear pale and lacking in detail. Clarity is subpar in darker indoor scenes, though brighter outdoor moments, such as sledding scenes during midday, offer glimpses of visual appeal. There are minor artifacts, including instances of banding and some artifacting, but notable absences of edge enhancement and macroblocking help maintain a more film-like quality. While not without its shortcomings, this Blu-ray likely represents the best visual quality achievable given the film's budget constraints.

"The Children" presents an intriguing audio landscape with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, although it's not without its limitations. Initial impressions reveal a tendency for the dialogue to be somewhat indistinct, particularly due to the heavy UK accents and suboptimal volume balance. The first fifteen minutes require attentive listening, as the speaking parts lack clarity and distinction. Despite setting the volume high, the dialogue-heavy scenes remain challenging, with whispers and intense exchanges proving particularly difficult to decipher. However, as the film progresses beyond the half-hour mark, these issues somewhat dissipate, and the audio experience flourishes.

The surround sound implementation is particularly noteworthy, utilizing rear surrounds to craft a robust and immersive auditory environment. The score by Stephen Hilton drifts effectively to the rears, adding a layer of atmospheric depth that complements the film's tension and horror elements. Bass frequencies are notably potent, enhancing jump scares with significant impact. The well-placed musical contrasts play a key role in escalating suspense, transitioning from whimsical Christmas tunes to a palpable sense of dread seamlessly. This fusion of jarring audio shifts aligns perfectly with the film’s horror narrative, despite the overall audio mix being hampered by its budgetary constraints.

In summary, while "The Children" delivers an effective and engaging audio experience during its more dynamic sequences, the inconsistent dialogue clarity detracts from what could otherwise be a genuinely commendable soundscape. Surround usage and bass presence are highlights, but the reliance on volume adjustments to balance speech against other audio elements ultimately proves problematic. Inclusion of optional English and Spanish subtitles is a beneficial addition for those seeking better comprehension.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Children" are comprehensive, featuring a range of behind-the-scenes content presented in standard definition. They include engaging interviews with the director and cast, practical insights into the filmmaking process, and detailed looks at specific production elements like prosthetics and set design. This collection provides a wealth of information for those interested in film production and adds significant value to the overall package.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of The Children: Behind-the-scenes featurette highlighting various aspects of the film's production.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes scenes like Robbie and Chloe discovering the dog's body, Jonah deciding to leave, and an alternate final shot.
• Working with the Children: Interviews with adult actors and director about working with young actors.
• Shooting on Location: Discussion on the film's location and the family that owns the house.
• Paul Hyett Talks Prosthetics: Interview with special make-up effects designer on creating gruesome scenes.
• Snow Set Design: Insight into how fake snow was created for the film using paper products.
• Inside Tom Shankland's On Set Lair: Tour of the director's room filled with inspirational content.
• 'The Children' Trailer: Standard-definition trailer for the movie.
• Ghost House Micro Videos: Collection of Ghost House film series trailers.
• Also from Lionsgate: High-definition trailers for other Lionsgate releases.

"The Children" (2008) offers a macabre tale of parental paranoia and youthful malevolence. Set during a winter holiday at a remote English countryside estate, the English-language horror orchestrates tension through its use of an eerie, isolated backdrop, masterfully harnessed by director Tom Shankland. The narrative centers around two families who witness their children's transformation into feral, violent beings after exhibiting flu-like symptoms. At the forefront is Casey (Hannah Tointon), a teenage girl who, upon realizing the threat posed by her cousins and siblings, must confront the escalating danger that even their skeptical parents are unwilling to acknowledge.

Despite its modest budget, "The Children" is lauded for its intense atmosphere and effective storytelling. The film excels in its pacing, with the horror gradually unfolding through creative and grisly set-pieces, such as an incident involving a sled and a garden fork. The young actors deliver unnervingly convincing performances, particularly in their menacing glances and silent exchanges that build a palpable sense of dread. The cinematography and holiday setting cleverly juxtapose the festive with the malevolent, while the gore is executed in a restrained yet impactful manner.

However, the film isn't without its shortcomings. Some critics argue that the central premise—a virus turning children into killers—borders on incredulous, questioning both the feasibility of attacks and parental responses that veer into implausibility. Nevertheless, reviewer sentiment indicates that the movie’s strengths in suspense and direction largely overshadow these flaws, delivering an unconventional and chilling 90-minute experience. Shankland's infusion of style into both writing and execution underlines his potential in the horror genre, making "The Children" a worthwhile watch for fans seeking tension beyond typical Hollywood remakes.

The Children grapples with an intriguing premise, aiming to offer a fresh take on the horror genre. Directed by Tom Shankland, the film strives to transcend common horror clichés by presenting an eerie scenario in which children become menacing figures. However, while the plot holds promise, the execution falls short in delivering sustained suspense. The tension primarily revolves around the idea of children wielding sharp objects, which may not suffice to maintain terror throughout the runtime. For parents, the film may invoke a deeper sense of unease, considering the unsettling thought of their own children in such roles.

Visually, the Blu-ray release presents mixed results. The video quality, while competent, lacks the sharpness and detail seen in higher-tier releases. Colors are adequately rendered but fail to achieve the vividness expected in contemporary transfers. On the audio front, the experience is similarly moderate; dialogue is clear, but the sound effects and atmospheric elements do not fully capitalize on surround sound capabilities, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming auditory immersion. However, this is balanced by the value-added content included in the Blu-ray. The supplemental materials are insightful and provide worthwhile behind-the-scenes views that may interest aficionados of the genre.

Overall, 'The Children' strives for originality and tension but doesn't fully hit the mark in terms of lasting impact or technical presentation. While the Blu-ray offers adequate viewing and listening experiences accompanied by engaging special features, it may not fulfill the expectations of die-hard horror enthusiasts seeking high caliber scares or immaculate audio-visual fidelity.

The Children presents an interesting concept that will likely divide audiences. I went into the film hoping for a creative plot full of inventive traps from the playful monsters, but came away with a general feeling of disappointment in the lack of true suspense. After all, how many scares can be generated by little tikes with sharp objects? Perhaps parents will have a different perspective on the level of tension (as they question what they would do if placed in such a precarious position), but this reviewer would have no problem wrestling a knife away from a child. In the end, The Children is an interesting film to watch on one occasion, but not something I intend to revisit in the future.