Beyond Re-Animator Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate's Vestron Video delivers a praiseworthy AVC encoded 1080p transfer of "Beyond Re-Animator" in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The Blu-ray's video presentation offers commendable clarity and detail, with the medium and close shots capturing intricate elements like the wrinkling of prison uniforms and hospital gowns, as well as the fogginess of syringe plastic. The transfer reveals a richly suffused palette and exceptional detail in close-ups, particularly enhancing the vividness of the film’s macabre scenes. Despite exhibiting good texture in foreground elements, the background detail occasionally appears less impressive. Notably, the CGI, while retaining a hokey charm, merges decently with the live-action footage.

The contrast and black levels are robust, providing deep, rich blacks that maintain discernible textures on surfaces, garments, and hair. The transfer is characterized by a predominantly blue color scheme, diversely tinted but interspersed with striking green glows from Dr. West's chemicals, which starkly stand out. Flesh tones remain natural and uniform throughout the film, showcasing impressive facial features and minute details such as wrinkles, scars, and even the greasiness of make-up—marking a high point in the transfer’s quality. While some compression artifacts do occasionally present themselves amidst grainy scenes, the overall image remains commendably clean and appealing.

Conclusively, "Beyond Re-Animator" on Blu-ray from Vestron Video presents a mightily solid image quality that should satisfy fans of the film. Although there are some minor issues like variable grain visibility that can pose compression hurdles, particularly in darker scenes, these are relatively infrequent and do not overshadow the overall excellent video presentation this release offers.

The audio presentation of "Beyond Re-Animator" on Blu-ray features a solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, marked by its dynamic range and clarity. In more intense scenes such as the first reanimation gone awry or the chaotic prison riot, the mix comes alive with notable force, providing an engaging auditory experience. The film's score is skillfully positioned within the surround channels, enhancing the overall ambiance without overshadowing the clear and distinct dialogue. There are no signs of age-related wear or imperfections, maintaining a crisp audio quality throughout.

This 5.1 surround track primarily delivers a front-heavy experience but leverages the rear channels effectively to create immersive moments and environmental building. Ambient sounds and musical scores enrich the experience by hovering in the rear channels, while action sequences provide adequate low-frequency extension for a robust subwoofer response, though on the lighter end of impact. Despite it being a low-budget film, the mix ensures accurate volume levels and movements aligned with on-screen events, providing an engaging auditory layer to the visual narrative.

With optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles, "Beyond Re-Animator" makes strides in accessibility. Overall, the audio mix is devoid of dropouts or any damages, solidifying it as an above-average surround track that succeeds at bringing this prison-resurrection tale to an auditory life.

The Blu Ray release of "Beyond Re-Animator" boasts an impressive array of supplemental features that provide comprehensive insights into the film's production and creative process. The Audio Commentary with Director Brian Yuzna offers in-depth analysis and context, while the Isolated Score Selections accompanied by an Interview with Composer Xavier Capellas presented in Dolby Digital 2.0, reveal the musical undertones of the movie. Interviews such as Beyond and Back with Yuzna and Death Row Side Show with Jeffrey Combs dive into the film's development and production challenges, particularly elaborating on the project's origins and the dynamic between the cast and crew. Further enriched by niche features like Six Shots by Midnight with Lovecraft biographer S.T. Joshi, still galleries, and promotional material, this Blu Ray ensures a holistic appreciation for both enthusiasts and critical viewers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Brian Yuzna: Deep dive into directorial insights.
• Isolated Score Selections & Interview with Composer Xavier Capellas: In Dolby Digital 2.0.
• Beyond and Back: Interview with Director Brian Yuzna.
• Death Row Side Show: Interview with Actor Jeffrey Combs.
• Six Shots by Midnight: Interview with Lovecraft biographer S.T. Joshi.
• Production Art Gallery: Illustrations by Richard Raaphorst.
• Still Gallery: Collection of still images.
• Vintage EPK Featurette: On-set footage with cast and crew interviews.
• Dr. Reanimator - Move Your Dead Bones Music Video: Music video featuring scenes from the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• International Trailer: Original international trailer.

Brian Yuzna's direction in "Beyond Re-Animator" extends the macabre humor and extreme gore characteristic of the Re-Animator series. The film, released in 2003, stays centered around Dr. Herbert West, portrayed by Jeffrey Combs, whose reanimation experiments continue even from within prison confines. Despite its connections to H.P. Lovecraft, "Beyond Re-Animator" deviates from the traditional Lovecraftian tone, leaning more into grisly, dark comedy than existential horror. An intriguing subplot involving Howard Phillips—who witnessed his sister's gruesome demise at the hands of one of West’s creations—adds depth to the storyline, enhancing the chaotic and unpredictable narrative. However, the formula feels repetitive and lacks innovation compared to its predecessors.

Set primarily within a penitentiary, the film's constrained environment contributes to a perceived monotony, despite multiple reanimated characters wreaking havoc. Supporting characters, including a tenacious journalist and a sadistic warden, undergo grotesque transformations due to West’s experiments, infusing variety albeit with mixed results in performance quality. The low-budget constraints are evident, impacting both the settings and some of the special effects. While the climactic sequences exhibit effective cross-cutting during moments of violence, segments of the film come across as uninspired and sluggish.

Jeffrey Combs’s portrayal of Herbert West remains compelling and is the film's anchor. Yet, the surrounding elements—in particular, the weak script and some subpar acting—detract from the overall impact. Despite these flaws, Yuzna’s ability to deliver viscerally satisfying gore moments cannot be overlooked. "Beyond Re-Animator" ultimately serves as an entertaining yet uneven addition to the trilogy, offering gore enthusiasts and franchise fans additional time with West’s iconic character while falling short of revitalizing its premise with fresh energy or creativity.

"Beyond Re-Animator" continues the tradition of combining extreme gore and dark humor, much like its predecessors. Although it may not entirely fit within the Lovecraftian or "Re-Animator" canon, it offers moments of amusing absurdity that fans of the series will likely appreciate. The special effects are notably well-executed, ensuring that the film maintains its visual intrigue. The narrative is somewhat uneven and may not engage viewers as deeply as the earlier installments, but the lighter tone ensures that it avoids any pretentiousness.

Visually, the Blu-ray transfer is commendable despite occasional issues in video quality. The audio consistently performs well, offering a solid auditory experience. Vestron has curated an impressive collection of supplemental materials, enhancing the overall value of the purchase. While the story might not captivate as strongly on a second viewing, the release itself rectifies the long-standing lack of a high-definition version in the U.S., providing enthusiasts with a top-notch transfer and substantial extras.

In conclusion, "Beyond Re-Animator" might not be the pinnacle of the series, but its compelling effects and strong classics in the performance from Jeffrey Combs make it worthwhile for fans. Vestron Video's Blu-ray release is a standout with excellent audio/visual quality and a comprehensive set of extras that will please collectors and Re-Animator aficionados alike.