Critters 3 Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory's release of "Critters 3" on Blu-ray presents a commendable effort to rejuvenate an outdated master for its AVC encoded image (1.86:1 aspect ratio) presentation, despite not receiving the new scans its predecessors enjoyed. The restoration effort has vividly enhanced color representation, allowing primaries to pop with remarkable clarity. This enhancement benefits from the period's costume design, boasting bold oranges and blues, and portrays blood with a deep red, contrasted against the iconic pea-soup green of Crite demise. However, skin tones occasionally veer towards the warmer end of the spectrum but generally stay believable. The image details aren't as striking, with noticeable texture mainly in close-ups of Critters and human expressions of terror. Softness permeates the picture, accompanied by grain that feels somewhat lifeless and lacking in organic quality. Furthermore, the struggle with delineation becomes apparent in dimly lit scenes, particularly those set within the confines of dark apartment buildings or during nocturnal creature attacks, occasionally risking the loss of frame information. The source material does exhibit minor signs of wear such as speckling and a few erratic frames, although these do not detract significantly from the viewing experience.

The video quality undoubtedly suffers from being derived from a dated master, closely resembling the detail and resolution characteristics of a DVD rather than representing a significant leap forward. Unnatural, thick grain tends to obscure finer details throughout, occasionally giving the image a smeared appearance, potentially due to an unsuccessful attempt at digital noise reduction. Enhanced saturation does wonders for certain elements — notably in scenes featuring vibrant clothing and lush green backdrops — yet struggles with complex textures like dense foliage that merge into indistinct masses due to the lower resolution. When the narrative darkens with power outages, black levels step up to maintain depth as best as they can, although they falter sporadically. Despite these challenges, "Critters 3" manages to carve out a degree of visual depth and a palette that stands out, signifying a valiant but flawed attempt at revitalizing this chapter of the franchise for the high-definition era.

The audio presentation of "Critters 3" on Blu Ray featuring a 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, strives for functionality rather than immersive depth, in line with its direct-to-video heritage. The pairing down to a modest core delivers a technically adequate experience that prioritizes clarity over complexity. Synth-driven scoring typically recesses into the backdrop, finding its moments of prominence more so during the frenetic pursuits by or of the Crites, alongside more dynamic human interactions. While the dialogue occasionally lacks a certain crispness and vigour, it remains comprehensible throughout, effectively conveying tension in scenes of heightened activity without succumbing to unintelligibility. Sound effects from the more intensified moments like gunfights and explosions are satisfactory, echoing a satisfying clarity, with creature vocalizations being distinctly discernable amid the chaos.

The sonic landscape of the film, as depicted through this DTS-HD master audio track, exhibits a generally monotone execution in regards to channel separation. Observations from scenes, such as an RV moving across the panorama early in the movie, illustrate a blurring of auditory boundaries where discrete channel utilization seems minimal and less impactful. Although the passage of time hasn't significantly degraded the aural quality of the material, leaving its fidelity commendably stable, the environmental acoustics and attempted spatial dynamics (notably within constrained settings like an attic space) achieve mixed results, muddling potential reverb effects. Moreover, the unadorned and somewhat tacky score doesn't pose much of a challenge to the track’s capacity, subtly reinforcing the film's B-grade ambiance without extending the audio mix's boundaries.

In essence, the Blu Ray's audio treatment navigates the divide between preserving the original sonic essence of "Critters 3" and confronting the limitations inherent to its production quality and era. The result is an experience that manages to stay faithful to the source material’s ambience, despite grappling with underutilized spatial dynamics and a lack of acoustic sharpness in more intricate soundscapes.

The extra presentation of the "Critters 3" Blu-Ray expertly complements the main feature with insightful and engaging content designed to enrich the viewing experience. The commentary track featuring Barry and Don Opper offers personal insights and anecdotes, adding depth to the film's backstory. "You Are What They Eat" stands out as a well-crafted documentary segment, delving into the challenges and triumphs of producing two sequels on a tight budget and schedule, highlighting the creative process behind the scenes, and shedding light on the technical difficulties faced with the more advanced Crite puppets. The Still Gallery and promotional materials, though brief, offer a nostalgic glimpse into the film's marketing phase, appealing to fans and collectors alike. This package demonstrates a thoughtful curation aimed at celebrating the film's legacy and its place within the Critters saga.

Extras included in this disc:

Commentary by Barry and Don Opper: Insights from the producer and star.

You Are What They Eat: A detailed look at the making of "Critters 3", featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

Still Gallery: A compilation of publicity stills, BTS photos, and VHS cover art.

Trailer: Original promotional trailer for the film.

VHS Promo: A promotional video used during the film's home video release.

Critters 3, the 1991 sequel in the Critters franchise, oddly stands as a distinct shift away from its predecessors, not just in setting but in tone and execution. The film, remembered mainly for featuring Leonardo DiCaprio in his film debut, shifts the carnivorous chaos to a single urban apartment building, significantly condensing the scale of its narrative compared to the sprawling small-town invasions that defined the earlier movies. This move, driven by obvious budgetary constraints, ends up limiting the sequel's scope and ambition. Director Kristine Peterson and screenwriter David J. Schow attempt to inject some life into this confined setup by focusing on character-driven drama, involving a struggling family and a scheming landlord, but these efforts only partially compensate for the film's lack of broader franchise flair.

Critters 3 struggles with a mean-spirited tone and a noticeable downgrade in production quality. Its reliance on a smaller cast and minimal locations speaks volumes of its frugal budget, perhaps exacerbated by sharing funds with its immediate sequel, Critters 4. While Peterson endeavors to introduce fresh elements into the Crite attacks, including enhanced abilities and clearer communication among the creatures, these cannot overshadow the overall sense of a franchise hitting a low point in creativity and excitement. The promised siege of Los Angeles is downscaled to a single building, diluting the potential for citywide pandemonium and instead retreading familiar territory with less charm and more cynicism.

The movie's technical aspects and special effects work within their financial limitations but can't help feeling underwhelming in comparison to its more dynamic predecessors. Despite these challenges, Critters 3 manages moments of inventiveness with its critter encounters, including a blend of dark humor and gore that harks back to the series' origins. Yet, it ultimately serves as a footnote in horror cinema, notable more for DiCaprio's early role than for contributing anything significant to the critter lore or advancing the franchise in any memorable way.

Critters 3, as presented in its Blu-ray edition, leaves a mixed impression on viewers familiar with the franchise's earlier, more energetic entries. The transition to a single setting in this third installment, while an interesting try at focusing on character development and claustrophobic tension, isn't as effectively executed as it could have been. The performances, particularly surrounding the character of Charlie, offer a glimmer of redemption; although the revelation of Charlie's true purpose arrives belatedly, creating a disjointed narrative flow. This coupled with sporadic yet entertaining encounters with the Crites, manages to offer some level of enjoyment. The technical aspects of the Blu-ray presentation do justice to the film's visual and auditory elements but cannot fully compensate for the shortcomings in storytelling and pacing.

The general consensus among fans and newcomers may lean towards disappointment, noting the Blu-ray presentation of Critters 3 as a missed opportunity to rejuvenate or innovatively expand upon the lore established by its predecessors. The sequel, while aiming to explore new dynamics by confining the action to a singular location and attempting to delve deeper into character arcs, falters in delivering a coherent and engaging narrative. This is further impeded by an underwhelming utilization of its titular monsters, reducing the Crites to mere sideshows in what appears to be a lackluster cash-in sequel, devoid of the originality or wit that sparked interest in the series.

In conclusion, Critters 3 on Blu-ray serves as a supplementary addition to a fan’s collection rather than a standout sequel. Despite earnest performances and an effort to maintain the series’ hallmark creature feature charm, it ultimately succumbs to narrative and conceptual weaknesses. Fans might find elements to enjoy, especially if their expectations are tempered and they seek to complete the saga in high definition. However, those looking for a sequel that builds meaningfully on the foundation of the first two films are likely to be disappointed. This installment might not dim the affection for the Critters series as a whole but does little to enhance its legacy.