The Monster Squad Blu-ray Review

The Monster Squad Blu-ray's 1080p transfer, utilizing the AVC codec with an average bitrate of 35Mbps, offers a remarkable visual upgrade, making it an essential acquisition for fans of the film. This stellar presentation boasts vibrant colors that pop vividly off the screen and minimal artifacts, maintaining a striking comic-book aesthetic that elevates the viewing experience. Fine detail is significantly elevated over previous versions, effectively showcasing the intricate textures of various elements such as Wolf Man's fur, Frankenstein's stitching, and the Gill-Man's detailed scales. The film's black levels are impressively deep with no noticeable crushing, and the film-like image retains a natural grain structure.

Despite its strengths, the transfer does exhibit some minor flaws. Peripheral details occasionally blur due to the original use of anamorphic lenses during filming, notably in scenes with wall posters in Eugene's room. Additionally, there are instances where bands of blurring occur at the top or bottom of the frame, such as during scenes at timestamps 19:48 and 29:32, where image clarity weakens momentarily. These issues, however, are infrequent and do not significantly detract from the overall high-quality presentation.

Overall, with enhanced three-dimensionality and significantly improved black levels that preserve shadow detail impeccably, The Monster Squad Blu-ray represents a substantial upgrade over prior releases. The colors remain stable and dynamic throughout with a notable brilliance in scenes featuring neon lights or the varied hues of trees and water. For fans of the film, this release offers an exceptional visual experience that revitalizes the monster-filled adventure like never before.

The Blu-ray release of "The Monster Squad" features an audio presentation that, while not without its flaws, does offer certain outstanding attributes. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track prominently places the film’s sound design in a front-heavy mix, with some agreeable depth and separation across the front channels. Dialogue is uniformly clear, managing the high-pitched voices, guttural growls, and everything in between effortlessly, ensuring a coherent auditory experience throughout. Although the surround channels aren't put to significant use, the occasional ambient effects and environmental sounds that do emerge are well-defined and add a subtle layer of immersion.

The real standout in this mix is Bruce Broughton’s iconic score. The orchestral elements shimmer with high-end clarity, while the choir, woodwinds, and brass bring a sweeping warmth that enhances the nostalgic feel of the film. Bass levels provide a decent heft where necessary, though some might find the LFE elements lack the punch expected from more modern action sequences or horror scenes. Despite these shortcomings, fans of the original score will find the presentation satisfying as it elevates the overall viewing experience.

Comparatively, the original stereo track, presented in Dolby Digital, lacks the vigor and depth of the new lossless mix, making the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track the definitive way to experience the audio. While it won't serve as a reference disc for showcasing home theater capabilities, "The Monster Squad" manages to hold its own within the constraints of its era and source material. This revamped audio presentation offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a noticeable step up in clarity and dynamics, making it an enjoyable listen for long-time fans.

The "Monster Squad" Blu-Ray extras deliver a comprehensive, nostalgic experience, blending technical insights with heartfelt reflections. The dual audio commentaries offer distinct perspectives; one featuring Fred Dekker and cinematographer Bradford May focuses on the technical aspects, while another with Dekker and the cast, including Andre Gower, Ryan Lambert, and Ashley Bank, captures nostalgic anecdotes from the set. The five-part "Monster Squad Forever" documentary is a standout, delving deep into every facet of the film's creation and its cult status evolution. Highlights include Fred Dekker's influences, Stan Winston’s makeup effects, and emotional tributes to Brent Chalem. Additional notable features are onscreen deleted scenes, an animated storyboard comparison, an in-character interview with Tom Noonan as Frankenstein, and both high-definition trailers and stills gallery.

Extras included in this disc:

• Monster Squad Forever: A five-part retrospective documentary.
• Audio Commentary Part 1: Commentary with Fred Dekker and cast.
• Audio Commentary Part 2: Commentary with Fred Dekker and Bradford May.
• Deleted Scenes: Rough cuts and extended scenes from Fred Dekker's archives.
• Animated Storyboard Sequence: Side-by-side comparison of storyboards and final footage.
• A Conversation with Frankenstein: An interview with Tom Noonan in character.
• Still Gallery: Production photos from the film.
• Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot: Original promotional materials.

"The Monster Squad," directed by Fred Dekker, stands as a quintessential cult classic of the horror comedy genre. Blending elements of adolescent adventure with iconic horror figures, the film maintains a nostalgic charm while delivering darkly comedic moments. Frequently compared to "The Goonies" and "The Lost Boys," though with more camp and less critical acclaim, it weaves a story that younger audiences of the '80s dreamed of living. What "The Monster Squad" may lack in polished coherence, it compensates with youthful exuberance and imaginative plotlines revolving around a group of middle-schoolers battling Dracula and his minions. The Blu-ray presentation noticeably improves visual quality, with vivid colors and clear details that enhance the viewing experience. The audio, while upgraded to a lossless format, does not particularly stand out in terms of presence or depth.

The film's narrative follows a group of kids who discover that the classic monsters—Dracula, Wolf-Man, The Mummy, Frankenstein, and the Gill-Man—are real and intent on conquering Earth. When Sean (played by Andre Gower), the leader of the monster-obsessed club, finds Abraham Van Helsing's diary, they learn about an amulet that can thwart the monsters' plan. They set out on an adventure, guided by an enigmatic elderly neighbor, to save the world from these fearsome creatures. One standout element is the makeup and creature effects designed by Stan Winston, which hold up remarkably well today and add a layer of authenticity to the monsters.

Despite its niche appeal at the box office upon release in 1987, "The Monster Squad" has since garnered a loyal fanbase, resonating with audiences who cherish '80s nostalgia and imaginative childhood escapades. Its blend of humor and horror, supported by endearing performances from the young cast, continues to make it a delightful watch. The film's direct approach to monster mythology and youthful heroism provides a quirky yet heartfelt cinematic experience that remains entertaining across generations.

The Blu-ray release of "The Monster Squad" stands out as an exemplary presentation, both visually and auditorily, trumpeting the technical prowess involved in its production. The high-definition transfer showcases vibrant colors and sharp details that reinvigorate the film, ensuring that even decades after its original release, it remains visually compelling. The audio mix is equally impressive, providing clear dialogue and a dynamic surround experience that augments the film’s atmosphere. This attention to detail in the Blu-ray's restoration underscores the timeless quality of "The Monster Squad" and caters to both nostalgic fans and newcomers.

In addition to stellar audio and video quality, the Blu-ray is enriched with a host of valuable extras. These include behind-the-scenes features, interviews, and commentaries that delve into the film’s production history and its eventual rise to cult status despite an underwhelming box office performance. The supplementary materials offer a comprehensive look at the making of the film and its impact, making this release a compelling package for avid collectors and film enthusiasts. Such robust supplementary content not only adds depth but enhances the overall viewing experience, encapsulating the movie's lasting charm.

I have zero qualms about giving this release a whole-hearted recommendation, but need to offer a note of caution to parents who might be considering the film as a Christmas or Birthday present for their youngsters. Monster Squad contains several scenes that will surely seem disturbing to viewers under the age of 10-12, and the potty-mouthed children in the film might give your kids the impression that foul language is cool (speaking from personal experience). I'm certainly not one to give parenting advice, but it seems necessary to point out situations where my recommendation might sway someone toward a blind purchase they'll regret. Now that I have that out of the way, I believe Monster Squad deserves a place among the growing list of films from my childhood capable of withstanding the test of time. After all, we know monsters won't ever disappear from the silver screen, so betting on the Monsters Squad is a safe decision.