The Editor Blu-ray Review

"The Editor" on Blu-ray, presented by Scream Factory, showcases an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.38:1 aspect ratio. Captured digitally using both a Red One and Canon EOS 7D, the film exhibits a dynamic color palette, emphasizing deep reds and striking blues while displaying fewer yellows. The vivid imaging faithfully adheres to the filmmakers’ intent, revealing sumptuous primary colors and clean secondary hues that enhance the overall aesthetic. Contrast is consistently strong, providing bright, crisp whites and rich, inky blacks that add considerable depth and shadow detail. Notable is the digital grain and intentional speckling during film-within-a-film sequences that evoke an authentic 1970s-1980s cinematic feel.

Although not exceptionally sharp by contemporary standards, the Blu-ray maintains a convincing retro appearance with suitable fine detail. Close-up shots reveal a well-above-average level of detail, especially in facial complexions and textures within the set design. However, some scenes suffer from slight banding, and occasionally hot contrasts obscure finer details. Despite these minor flaws, the high-definition presentation remains robust, exhibiting clean, distinct lines and well-defined clothing textures, making for an engaging visual experience faithful to the original vision.

The Blu Ray audio presentation of "The Editor" features a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, along with a stereo option. The 5.1 surround track adeptly supports the film's moody score, providing an immersive soundstage that particularly shines during the gory kill scenes. Dialogue is rendered cleanly, though intentional sync issues add a layer of stylized dissonance befitting the film’s giallo satire nature. With excellent fidelity and a wide dynamic range, the track includes bursts of boisterous low-frequency effects (LFE) that enhance the overall audio experience. However, some ambient effects feel stretched and forced in the surround track, slightly compromising the dynamic range's depth.

Interestingly, the stereo track appears to offer a more cohesive listening experience, suggesting it may have been the original recording format. The stereo mix provides a better sense of presence and a broad, spacious feel, vitalized by the unique musical score that delivers warmth and excellent fidelity. The mid-range is consistently clean and detailed, although low-bass elements are more subdued but accurate, providing weight that complements the music. Vocals are deliberately mixed to be distant and flat, mimicking poor dubbing and ADR, yet they remain clear and intelligible throughout, never being overshadowed by louder segments.

Overall, while the 5.1 track offers an exciting and atmospherically rich experience, the stereo mix arguably presents a more balanced and natural auditory presentation, contributing to the film's distinct auditory identity.

The extras on the Blu Ray of "The Editor" provide a comprehensive and entertaining deep dive into the production, underscoring the spirited nature of the team behind the film. The commentary by Adam Brooks, Conor Sweeney, and Matt Kennedy is lighthearted and anecdote-heavy, though it lacks detailed technical insights. The standout feature, "Making Movies Used to be Fun," offers a thorough overview of the filmmaking process with extensive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the Astron-6 crew. The additional segments, including interviews with the score contributors and a humorous festival introduction, add more layers to the understanding of both the film’s creative process and its promotional efforts. Deleted scenes, though brief, provide valuable context for edited content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Movies Used to be Fun: Extensive documentary on the filmmaking process.
• Audio Commentary: Lively discussion with Adam Brooks, Conor Sweeney, and Matt Kennedy.
• Hook Lab Interview: Comedic interview with Norman Orenstein and Trevor Tuminski.
• Brett Parson Poster Video: Insight into the design of the movie’s posters.
• Astron-6 Film Festival Introduction: Humorous faux screening video.
• Deleted Scenes: Four cut scenes providing additional context.

"The Editor," directed by Adam Brooks and Matthew Kennedy, is an affectionate parody of the giallo genre that blends meticulous homage with uproarious satire. The film's narrative centers on Rey Ciso (Adam Brooks), a once-celebrated film editor turned disillusioned hack after a tragic accident leaves him with wooden prosthetics. Set against the lurid backdrop of a low-budget Italian thriller directed by the abrasive Francesco Mancini (Kevin Anderson), "The Editor" humorously critiques and revels in the hyperbolic and stylized elements inherent to giallo cinema. In particular, the film’s vivid color palette and jarring camera movements recreate the genre’s aesthetics with remarkable accuracy, evoking directors like Mario Bava and Dario Argento.

Comedy punctuates the bleak plot as Ciso navigates a hostile work environment and endures relentless humiliation from both colleagues and his wife, Josephine Jardin (Paz de la Huerta). The comedy is underpinned by a slew of visual gags, deliberate bad dubbing, and over-the-top acting that escalate into total absurdity. Detective Peter Porfiry (Matthew Kennedy) adds to the chaos with his inept attempts to solve a string of murders plaguing the film set. Victims are found with severed fingers, an obvious (and humorous) nod to implicating Ciso, while misdirections keep viewers guessing in pure giallo fashion.

Technically, Brooks and Kennedy have succeeded in mimicking giallo's signature features, down to the saturated reds and blues accompanying the macabre violence. Their affection for this subgenre is evident in every meticulously framed shot, engendering a film that feels simultaneously like a long-lost giallo gem and a fresh, comedic take on the genre. Fans of giallo will appreciate the nuanced references while newcomers will find humor in its sheer absurdity, making "The Editor" a unique cinematic experience.

"The Editor" by Astron-6 is a highly entertaining homage to Italian giallo films, meticulously crafted by Adam Brooks and Matthew Kennedy. Combining elements of mystery, thriller, and dark comedy, the film is a clever satire that appeals both to ardent fans of directors like Bava and Argento, and to newcomers curious about the genre. Its blend of absurdity and style is deliberate, creating an atmospherically rich and visually appealing experience that pushes technical boundaries while paying tribute to the staples of 1970s Italian cinema.

The Blu-ray release does justice to the film’s aesthetic ambitions, offering an exceptional audio-visual experience that highlights its vibrant cinematography and immersive sound design. Clarity in image and superior sound mixing enhance the overall viewing experience, ensuring that both the intricate details and grand stylistic gestures are effectively communicated. Though the supplemental materials provided are minimal, they still offer valuable insights into the production and creative process, making them a worthy addition for those interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects.

Fans of giallo will most likely love "The Editor," while those who have never experienced the weirdnesses of Bava or Argento may be wondering what the frell is going on in this film. The Astron-6 consortium may be playing things a good deal smarter in "The Editor" than they did in some of their prior outings, but that very facet may mean that some aspects of this film may in fact zing over the heads of some potential audience members. Technical merits are generally great and some of the supplemental material is very enjoyable as well. Recommended.