Friday the 13th Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Friday the 13th" plunges into high definition with a 1080p transfer, presented in an aspect ratio of 2.39:1 to 2.40:1, sharpening its horror legacy with a visual clarity that oscillates in satisfaction. Warner/New Line's delivery taps into the best visual representation the series has seen to date, threading through the eerie ambiance with a predominantly solid transfer characterized by deep blacks and a color palette that boasts richness without tipping into oversaturation. Cinematography by Daniel Pearl enriches the atmospheric depths of the film, maintaining a balance that feels slick yet film-like, devoid of unwelcome digital enhancements which preserves its cinematic integrity. However, it isn't devoid of imperfections; noticeable soft and blurred sequences speckle across the runtime, detracting from an otherwise clean source.

Detail across the board is sufficient but varies, with several instances displaying a softness that mutes the potential for a crisp, intricate visual feast. Nighttime sequences are draped in appropriately dark shadows, albeit with occasional drifts into grayish ambiguities, while daylight scenes showcase stronger hues along with clothing and natural surroundings that occasionally suffer from an over-processed appearance, particularly in flesh tones. Despite these inconsistencies, the overall image still manages to convey the chilling essence of Camp Crystal Lake and its foreboding environments without crossing into the realm of distraction for the keen-eyed viewer.

This Blu-ray’s rendition navigates through its darker thematic elements and settings with an adept grasp on ambient mood setting, though it does waver in delivering consistently sharp details, particularly in human faces and certain environmental textures which often appear smoothed over. The video quality, while not reaching the heights of demo-worthy status across all scenes, remains a commendable effort that enriches the visual horror spectacle of "Friday the 13th", solidifying its place as a noteworthy high definition venture for fans and newcomers alike. Incorporating minimal grain and noise interference, it results in a viewing experience that respects the source material’s intent without succumbing entirely to its few significant drawbacks.

"Friday the 13th" makes its way onto Blu-ray with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio track, blending a mix of the adequately immersive and the slightly underwhelming. This audio mix shines primarily through its use of the front soundstage, with the rears kicking in sporadically for musical cues and environmental sounds such as wildlife or ambient atmospherics. Key scenes, notably those featuring the sharp shrieks of terror from the victims and the ominous thud of the score during the more intense sequences, showcase the audio's strength in delivering a range of sounds. There's also a commendable clarity and aggression in the effects of machinery and the inevitable chaos that ensues, never overshadowing the dialogue which remains crystal clear throughout.

Despite being more polished than its '80s counterparts and offering an improvement over standard DVD's Dolby Digital mix, the soundtrack's design feels somewhat uninspired, failing to fully exploit the capabilities of the 5.1 setup. Surround channels are effectively utilized for building an enveloping atmosphere and delivering sudden jolts of sound, but there's a sense that more could have been done to create a truly immersive experience. The score, while competently dispersed across the channels and bolstered by substantial low-end bass, doesn't leave a lasting impact.

Overall, this Blu-ray release presents an audio experience that is both consistent and faithful to its source material. The dynamic range is impressively wide, ensuring that from the subtle nuances in dialogue to the full-bodied resonance of the musical accompaniment and ambient effects, every sound is well-represented. However, those seeking a demonstration-quality horror soundtrack might find "Friday the 13th" a bit lacking in innovation and auditory thrills.

The Blu-ray release of "Friday the 13th" brings an array of intriguing extras, albeit with mixed reviews on their depth and impact. Highlighting the collection is "The Rebirth of Jason Voorhees," a featurette offering insights into the film’s remake, including the evolution of Jason’s character, and discussions around themes, makeup, props, and notably, the iconic scene of Jason acquiring his hockey mask. Complementing this are interview-filled pieces like "Hacking Back/Slashing Forward," reflecting on the franchise's legacy and its rebirth in this installment. Moreover, "The 7 Best Kills" provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the movie's most gruesome kills, appealing to special effects enthusiasts. The inclusion of deleted scenes adds value, though their significance varies among viewers. Notably, the digital copy presents the film in satisfactory quality for a DVD, with the Blu-ray exclusives somewhat compensating for the otherwise standard offering of extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Rebirth of Jason Voorhees: An in-depth featurette exploring the themes of the film and Jason's motivations.
• Hacking Back/Slashing Forward: Cast and crew reminisce about the franchise's history and this film's place within it.
• The 7 Best Kills: A look into how some of the film's most memorable kills were crafted.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes not included in the theatrical release.
• BD-Live Functionality: Offers interactive features for users with a Blu-ray Profile 2.0 player.
• Digital Copy: A standard-definition digital version of the film for portable devices.

In Marcus Nispel's 2009 version of "Friday the 13th," the landscape of horror is both revisited and remodelled, bringing Jason Voorhees back to the forefront of slasher cinema. This reimagining takes a familiar path, borrowing heavily from the franchise's inaugural quartet while failing to breathe new life into its worn tread. The narrative quickly dispenses with the origin story in favor of plunging into a spree of killings that, while glossy in production and rich in gore, stumble in delivering the atmospheric dread synonymous with the genre. Despite a commendable effort to condense the lore into a succinct opening and a promising start with brutal and fast-paced slayings, the movie struggles to elevate itself beyond the sum of its parts, mired by an overabundance of uninspired character arcs and convoluted subplots.

Character development, or the lack thereof, emerges as a notable criticism across series entries, and this iteration is no exception. The film attempts to eschew the protracted character exposition seen in its predecessors, focusing instead on swift executions that ironically serve as both its strength and its Achilles' heel. By sidelining the sense of peril and neglecting the ambiance that could render the Crystal Lake setting as claustrophobic and menacing, it detracts from the potential impact. Jason Voorhees, although given an update in his underground lair—more reminiscent of a "Saw" film than a secluded camp—fails to invoke the primal fear expected from his return. His transformation into a slasher icon is visually striking but lacks substantial horror credence, leaning more towards a caricature of menace than a genuinely terrifying force.

The technical prowess of Daniel Pearl's cinematography lends a polished sheen to the proceedings, a stark contrast to the rustic charm of early franchise entries. Yet, this aesthetic upgrade doesn’t compensate for the film’s deeper issues: a screenplay that overextends itself in trying to pay homage while simultaneously charting new territory. The hefty expectations placed on Jason's return—saddled with echoing past glories while carving out new niches—results in a product that feels overburdened and underwhelming. "Friday the 13th" grapples with its identity amidst modern horror reboots, showcasing dazzling gore and nods to its origins but faltering in its quest to revitalize or justify its place within the saga's storied lineage.

The Blu-ray release of the "Friday the 13th" remake encapsulates a mixed bag of stellar technical enhancements yet struggles with content that somewhat lags in fulfilling heightened expectations drawn from its predecessors and comparatives like the "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake. Notwithstanding the film's superior production values, including commendable atmosphere, heightened violence, and improved character development, it falls short of setting itself apart in a genre that demands distinctiveness. The technical prowess of Warner Brothers' Blu-ray edition is evident, showcasing commendable video and audio quality that nearly matches the anticipation surrounding its release. However, its deficiencies in providing a comprehensive package of bonus materials render the product as satisfactory rather than exceptional.

Despite these limitations, the disc stands out for its commitment to quality, especially in audiovisual presentation, which hardcore horror and "Friday the 13th" aficionados will appreciate, though it may not be compelling enough to warrant an immediate purchase for the casual viewer. The exclusive extras offer some solace, making the package more appealing to the franchise's loyal fans, but the movie itself, marred by a lack of originality in plot and an underwhelming portrayal of Jason, leaves much to be desired. The film's inability to inspire fear or offer any notable novelty overshadows the technical brilliance of its Blu-ray presentation.

In conclusion, while the "Friday the 13th" remake’s Blu-ray version excels in delivering high production values and a satisfactory audio-visual experience, it ultimately fails to revive the essence of fear and originality that fans might have anticipated. This release may find a place among dedicated collectors and fans eager for every morsel from the franchise, but it stands as a cautionary tale for those seeking innovation within horror remakes. It's a tangible reminder that superior technical accomplishments cannot fully compensate for a film's lack of intrinsic terror and novelty, leaving it as a curious yet flawed addition to both the franchise and horror Blu-ray collections.