X-Ray 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The latest 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation of "X-Ray" marks a significant upgrade from its 2013 release by Shout Factory, offering a fresh visual experience that adeptly captures the film's atmospheric tension and style. This new version, meticulously sourced from the 35mm original camera negative, breathes life into the movie’s palette, boasting vivid colors and an enhanced level of detail that was previously unseen. The film's dynamic range is notably improved, with deep, rich blues accentuating the sterile hospital setting and the reds of bloodshed and decor popping with intensity. This transfer does an excellent job of preserving the cinematographic intent, ensuring that the moodier tones and stylized lighting complement the narrative's eerie ambiance.

The attention to detail in this remaster is commendable. Facial features and textures, hospital uniforms, and even the intricate designs of medical equipment and office decoration are presented with remarkable clarity. The interior scenes of the hospital benefit the most, with their complexity and depth now fully realized, providing a more immersive viewing experience. Similarly, exterior shots gain a new dimensionality, with improved delineation allowing for a clearer appreciation of night scenes and shadowy motions.

Despite the heavy presence of grain, which may detract for some, it maintains a film-like quality that aficionados of classic cinema will appreciate. The grain adds texture and a sense of authenticity, preserving the movie’s original aesthetic. Although there are minor instances of damage in the source material, these do not significantly impede the overall visual quality. This release showcases an exceptional balance between honoring the film's original look and feel while leveraging modern technology to enhance its visual appeal for contemporary audiences.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "X-Ray" is marked by a competent 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix that commendably handles the film's unique auditory demands. Dialogue is crisp and clear, ensuring that every nuance of the somewhat unconventional performances is conveyed without loss. Particularly of note is the treatment of Barbi Benton's intense vocal moments - her screams are managed in such a way that they maintain emotional impact without verging into distortion, thus preserving the auditory balance throughout. The mix's handling of such elements speaks to a well-calibrated effort at clarity and balance.

Musically, the presentation shines with a clean separation of instruments, showcasing the film's score in a manner that highlights its orchestration. Strings and piano come through with particular clarity, adding a lush dimension to the cinematic experience. Additionally, the occasional use of a mouth harp offers an intriguing textural contrast, further enriching the auditory landscape. These choices in musical clarity and mixing underscore the film’s atmospheric intentions, enhancing its overall impact.

The sound effects, while sourced from a basic sound library, are effectively utilized, contributing to the film’s ambiance without overwhelming it. The atmospheric sounds add a layer of immersion that is both enjoyable and fitting for the eerie narrative being unfolded. This nuanced handling ensures that every element, from the subtlest environmental sound to the most jarring scream, contributes to a cohesive and engaging auditory experience. The audio mix thus serves as a testament to thoughtful sound design, effectively supporting and amplifying the visual storytelling of "X-Ray.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray extras for "X-Ray" provide a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look, effectively amalgamating insights from key production members and the director, Boaz Davidson. The "Ultra Violet Vengeance" featurette dives deep into the collaborative spirit of the cast and crew, with detailed accounts from cinematographer Nicholas Von Sternberg, wardrobe assistant Carin Berger, and others, highlighting their technical contributions and personal experiences during the film's challenging night shoots. Director Boaz Davidson's "Bad Medicine" interview complements this by sharing his intriguing journey from Israel to London, culminating in his unexpected role on "X-Ray" following the original director's departure. Davidson provides not only context to the film’s production but also shares light-hearted anecdotes, including peculiar audience interpretations. However, the absence of a trailer is a noticeable omission in this otherwise rich selection of extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• Ultra Violet Vengeance: A comprehensive making-of featurette showcasing the expertise and camaraderie of the film's crew and actors.

• Bad Medicine: An engaging interview with director Boaz Davidson, detailing his path to "X-Ray" and his experiences during its production.

X-Ray, a product of Cannon Films' foray into the burgeoning slasher genre of the early '80s, aims to capture the same audience that propelled franchises like Halloween and Friday the 13th to success. Set within the eerie confines of a hospital, the movie attempts to weave a tale of terror as it follows Susan, played by Playboy Playmate Barbi Benton, through a supposed routine visit that descends into a sinister game of survival against a backdrop of murder and obsession. Directed by Boaz Davidson with a script by Marc Behm, the film struggles to deliver on its mission to provide scares, instead offering a clumsy narrative punctuated with moments of unintended humor and spotty ultraviolence that fails to build any real suspense across its 90 minutes runtime.

The storyline hinges on past trauma revisited, with Susan encountering figures from her and her friends’ pasts, including a killer with a personal vendetta. As she navigates the hospital in search of answers about her test results, she is met with bizarre obstacles, including unstable patients and a notably creepy Dr. Saxon. The film’s approach mixes slight comedic elements with attempts at serious horror, resulting in an inconsistent tone that undermines its scarier aspects. One instance of misguided humor involves a man bleeding in an elevator, later revealed to be eating a messy hamburger - an early indication of the film's unclear direction.

However, X-Ray does play into some slasher staples, featuring a masked killer whose murderous spree connects to Susan’s medical file, adding a layer of personal terror to her ordeal. The pursuit of tension often falls flat, bogged down by a focus on hospital bureaucracy and contrived setups designed more for exploiting Benton’s star power than advancing the narrative or developing genuine frights. While there may be glimpses of potential in exploring the horrors of healthcare red tape through a slasher lens, X-Ray ultimately squanders this opportunity, choosing instead to linger on formulaic violence and uncomfortable exploitation over crafting a truly compelling or terrifying experience.

X-Ray," in its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation, similarly sustains a mixed bag of elements that intersect at the junction of mediocrity and sporadic ingenuity. The film's narrative drags significantly, hindered by its predictable plot and lack of tension in what should be its more thrilling sequences. However, it's not without its merits which deserve acknowledgment. The composer, Arlon Ober, infuses the soundtrack with a zest reminiscent of the "Friday the 13th" series, offering a layer of enthusiasm that the film desperately needs. Furthermore, Nicholas Von Sternberg’s cinematography injects a much-needed vibrancy into the film, creating moments of stylized unreality that stand out against the otherwise dull backdrop.

The main actress shows commendable dedication to her role, bringing energy to a film that struggles to maintain momentum. Her performance, coupled with moments of unintentional humor, adds a peculiar charm to the viewing experience, albeit not enough to salvage the overall lack of creativity in the execution of key scenes. The deliberate focus on her by director Davidson occasionally adds an amusingly awkward touch but does little to uplift the static nature of the story’s progression.

In conclusion, while "X-Ray" falls short in delivering a compelling or imaginatively told narrative, it's not completely devoid of elements worthy of praise. The cinematography and score stand out as high points, bringing a level of artistic flair to an otherwise lackluster film. Despite the earnest efforts of its lead actress and some moments of visual and auditory appeal, the 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "X-Ray" is ultimately a testament to the film's inability to fully deliver on its potential, encapsulated within a predictably underwhelming stalk-and-kill genre framework.