Creepshow 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Scream Factory's latest endeavor brings "Creepshow" to life with its 2023 release on 4K UHD Blu-ray, showcasing a stunning visual experience that eclipses its predecessors. This release features a companion BD-100 disc, boasting a feature size of 80.6 GB, alongside a BD-50 disc encapsulating the plethora of supplements shared with the UHD. The film, originally captured on 35 mm film using Arriflex cameras and spherical lenses, benefits immensely from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative. Though it remains unspecified if director of photography Michael Gornick oversaw this iteration as he did in prior versions, the attention to detail in the transfer is evident. Highlighting improved warmth in skin tones and a more refined grain structure than its 2018 counterpart, the 2023 transfer ensures an authentic, cinematic texture. Enhancements in color saturation and gamma levels contribute to a richer, more natural palette, with especially notable improvements in the depiction of skies and background detail clarity.

Technical specifics further substantiate the superiority of this release. The 4K UHD displays an average video bitrate of 75.097 Mbps, signaling an uncompromised commitment to preserving the film's visual integrity. In comparison, the detailed enhancements are not just limited to colors and grain but extend to dynamic range and brightness levels, courtesy of Dolby Vision and HDR10 compatibility. The implementation of HDR enriches darker scenes with inky blacks and accentuates the dramatic intensity of colors, from nuanced greens to vivid reds. Not only does this render the on-screen horror more striking, but it also provides a more three-dimensional and immersive viewing experience.

On examining both the 4K UHD and upscaled Blu-ray presentations, clear distinctions emerge. While the Blu-ray version maintains a respectable clarity, especially in dimly lit environments such as the eerie basement scenes, it falls short of the UHD's mesmerizing depth and clarity achieved through HDR enhancement. Even upconverted to 4K on premium displays, the Blu-ray struggles to match the UHD's vividness and textural detail. Figures and objects stand out with remarkable crispness against their backgrounds in UHD, demonstrating that this latest scan not only respects but elevates George A. Romero’s directorial vision. With natural skin tones, shadow detail precision, and an overall cleaner image devoid of excessive noise or grain, "Creepshow" in its 2023 4K UHD guise presents itself as an essential acquisition for aficionados seeking the definitive home video presentation.

Scream Factory's release of "Creepshow" on 4K UHD Blu-ray has been graced with an exceptional auditory experience, delivering not just an enhancement but a transformation of the film's audio landscape. The package includes a brand-new Dolby Atmos track alongside DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo mixes, ensuring that the audio experience is both immersive and versatile. Through meticulous remastering, utilizing the original discrete Dolby Stereo elements, the Atmos mix (4035 kbps standard bitrate; 3651 kbps average bitrate; 5928 kbps maximum bitrate) offers a significant improvement in spatialization, with active height channels and enveloping sound design that animates the film’s iconic thunderstorms, creeping cockroaches, and ocean waves with newfound vitality. Each mix, including the 5.1 (3609 kbps, 24-bit) and the 2.0 (2002 kbps, 24-bit) options, is crafted to provide clarity and depth to dialogue, effects, and John Harrison’s electronic score, performed on PROPHET V synthesizer and grand pianos.

The Atmos track’s execution is praiseworthy; sounds of horror and ambient noises are more robust and clear, ensuring that each shock and whisper contributes effectively to the film’s eerie atmosphere. The surround mix not only respects but enhances the dialogue, which is noticeably crisper in the crucial scenes, maintaining a balance that allows for a seamless blend with Harrison's score. This score, a staple in the film’s tension-building, is given ample space to resonate in the mix, perfectly complementing the visual effects with its immersive sound design.

Despite the film’s age, this audio presentation elevates "Creepshow" to contemporary standards without sacrificing its original essence. The attention to detail in transferring sound effects and music into this new format ensures that the haunting and sometimes whimsical auditory elements are preserved. The optional English SDH subtitles offer an accurate transcription of the dialogue, despite missing one expletive, thereby making this horror classic accessible to a wider audience. Whether for purists or those seeking an immersive horror experience, these audio tracks provide a splendid accompaniment to the visual spectacle of "Creepshow," confirming Scream Factory's commitment to quality and fans' expectations.

The "Creepshow" 4K UHD Blu-ray set from Scream Factory not only presents this anthology horror classic in the best possible visual quality but also compiles a comprehensive collection of extras that deepen the appreciation of the film's legacy and production. Despite the lack of new extras specifically created for this release, the inclusion of all supplemental material from the 2018 Collector's Edition, spread across two discs, enriches the viewing experience. High points include engaging audio commentaries that provide insights from key creative figures like George A. Romero and Tom Savini, and behind-the-scenes featurettes that offer a deep dive into the technical and artistic aspects of the film. The collection is a treasure trove for fans, featuring everything from detailed discussions on makeup effects to explorations of the film's iconic sound design, ensuring that this edition is arguably the definitive version for any "Creepshow" enthusiast's library.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary with Director George A. Romero and Special Make-Up Effects Creator Tom Savini Moderated by Michael Felsher

Audio Commentary with Composer/First Assistant Director John Harrison and Construction Coordinator Ed Fountain

Audio Commentary with Director of Photography Michael Gornick Moderated by Lee Karr

Mondo Macabre – A Look at Mondo's Various Creepshow Posters

Collecting Creepshow – A Look at Some Original Props and Collectibles

The Colors of CREEPSHOW – A Look at the Restoration

Into the Mix – An Interview with Sound Re-recordist Chris Jenkins

Terror and the Three Rivers – A Round Table Discussion on the Making of Creepshow

The Comic Book Look – An Interview with Costume Designer Barbara Anderson

Ripped from the Pages – An Interview with Animator Rick Catizone

Horror's Hallowed Grounds – A Look at the Original Film Locations

Tom Savini’s Behind-The-Scenes Footage

Deleted Scenes

Theatrical Trailers

TV Spot

Radio Spots

Gallery – Posters and Lobby Cards; Movie Posters; Color Stills; Special FX Makeup; Behind the Scenes

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of Creepshow, brought to us by Scream Factory, offers horror aficionados the chance to experience George Romero and Stephen King's macabre masterpiece with the best quality yet available on home video. This anthology, which intertwines tales of terror in a format reminiscent of the beloved EC Comics of the 1950s, finds new life in this edition. The film, bursting with stylized segments and underscored by Tom Savini's remarkable effects, features a roster of compelling performances from actors like Leslie Nielsen, Hal Holbrook, Ted Danson, and a cameo by a hirsute Ed Harris. Despite Stephen King's less-than-stellar acting stint, the ensemble brings to life the eerie, ironic fables with considerable flair.

In terms of visual and audio enhancement, this 4K restoration offers viewers a more vivid and immersive experience of Creepshow’s unique blend of horror and humor. The intricate details of each segment, from the ghoulish revenge tale of “Father’s Day” to the alien terror of “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill,” are rendered with clarity that surpasses previous releases. The anthology's effective use of irony and karma, combined with its homage to classic horror comics, resonates well in this updated format, providing a fresh perspective on the film’s darkly comedic tales.

This release does not only celebrate the technical finesse of Romero and King's collaborative effort but also encapsulates a pivotal moment in horror cinema history. Despite its few quirks, such as King's acting venture, Creepshow remains a seminal piece that bridges the gap between comic book horror narratives and the silver screen. The 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo pack by Scream Factory is a fitting tribute to this legacy, ensuring that both new audiences and long-time fans can appreciate the anthology's quirks, scares, and innovative storytelling with unparalleled quality.

The latest release of "Creepshow" on 4K UHD Blu-ray by Scream Factory is an essential addition for aficionados of this horror anthology classic, boasting significant improvements in both visual and auditory experience. This version, benefiting from a newer 4K scan initiated earlier this year, showcases enhanced picture quality with the support of Dolby Vision and HDR10, yielding warmer and richer skin tones alongside an overall improved color palette compared to its 2018 Collector's Edition. Furthermore, the inclusion of a newly produced Dolby Atmos mix elevates the audio presentation to impressive heights, suggesting a promising future for more 4K renditions of collaborations between Romero, Savini, and King.

Despite the previous Blu-ray release being a pivotal moment for home video presentations, especially considering its collaboration with Warner Bros., this new edition further solidifies its place on the shelves of genre enthusiasts. Not only does it pay homage to the creative zenith of George Romero and Stephen King, but it also reinvigorates the seminal horror compilation with unmatched clarity and sound fidelity that is bound to captivate both longstanding fans and newcomers. The anthology's enduring appeal is accentuated by the impeccable 4K image quality and ground-breaking Dolby Atmos tracks, accompanied by a selection of engaging bonus features that enhance its replay value.

In conclusion, this 4K UHD/Blu-ray pack of "Creepshow" is unequivocally recommended, standing out as a testament to Scream Factory's commitment to elevating classic cinema through technological advancements. The meticulous care in visual and audio restoration not only preserves but amplifies the essence of this foundational horror anthology, ensuring its legacy continues to thrill and terrify audiences for years to come. It's more than just an upgrade; it's a revitalization of a genre-defining piece that remains as relevant and influential today as it was over four decades ago.