Dracula Untold Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Dracula Untold" delivers a visually captivating experience through its 1080p/AVC-encoded video. The film’s many dark and stormy scenes are rendered with striking color fidelity and saturation, from the warm, fire-lit interiors of Vlad's castle to the ominously hued battlefields. Skintones are precisely depicted, either warm and alive or pale and sickly, as required by the narrative. Black levels are notably deep, contributing to the film's foreboding atmosphere, though some inherent crush might be observed. The transfer maintains crisp and well-resolved detail, with edge definition that is exacting and close-ups that are particularly rewarding. Instances of less-than-perfect CG effects may appear more apparent than they were in theaters, but this is a minor issue and not a fault of the encode.

Shooting on glorious 35mm film, primarily utilizing Panavision Panaflex equipment, has yielded outstanding visual results for "Dracula Untold". The film showcases deep, rich colors that are oversaturated yet never bleed, enhancing the visual depth and clarity throughout the movie. Black levels are inky and profound, effectively supporting the numerous nighttime and darkened scenes. Detail remains consistently strong, with visible grain maintaining a cinematic texture in every shot. Flesh tones, while inclined towards warmth even for vampiric characters, remain consistent and natural. Importantly, the presentation is remarkably free from common technical issues: no evidence of banding, aliasing, or over-sharpening is present, making this a stellar Blu-ray release in terms of visual quality.

The audio presentation of "Dracula Untold" on Blu-ray features a robust and dynamic 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio track. This well-balanced surround mix delivers a compelling auditory experience. While the soundtrack is not overwhelmingly aggressive, it shines during pivotal battle sequences, where the mix demonstrates an exemplary clarity and detail, revealing subtle nuances throughout. Dialogue is exceptionally clear with pristine intonation, ensuring that character voices are always intelligible and distinct. Although the bass doesn’t consistently energize the room, it significantly enhances the film’s action scenes when it kicks in, providing a tangible depth and weight to the more intense moments.

The surround sound design is extraordinarily immersive, utilizing precise directional effects to fully envelop the listener in the action. Scenes filled with crashing hordes, swooping bats, and clanging swords benefit from finely-tuned rear speaker activity that brings Dracula's epic battles to life. The LFE output is particularly noteworthy, delivering a powerful and aggressive low-frequency presence that underpins Dracula's supernatural abilities with an imposing rumble. However, some viewers may find that the musical score occasionally overpowers other elements of the soundtrack. Despite this, the overall AV presentation remains highly impressive.

While the DTS-HD MA track offers a top-tier auditory experience, it falls just short of reference quality due to minor issues with dialogue levels. At times, dialogue is mixed slightly lower than other elements of the track, necessitating frequent volume adjustments during quieter moments and more action-heavy scenes. Aside from this, the track remains crisp, clear, and free from any significant flaws. The Blu-ray also includes additional audio options: 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks in Spanish and French, as well as an English Descriptive Video Service track. Subtitles are available in English SDH, Spanish, and French, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience.

The Extras on the "Dracula Untold" Blu-ray offer a comprehensive and engaging look behind the scenes of the film. Notably, the audio commentary by Director Gary Shore and Production Designer Francois Audouy provides insightful analysis without succumbing to excessive self-congratulation. The alternate opening and deleted scenes come with optional commentary, providing context and shedding light on creative decisions. "Luke Evans: Creating a Legend" and "Day in the life: Luke Evans" offer in-depth perspectives on the actor's experience, though the former lacks deep insights into the characters. "Dracula Retold" delves into the historical background of Vlad the Impaler, enriching the fictional narrative. The brief yet impactful "Slaying 1000" featurette highlights the production of one of the film’s key supernatural battles. An interactive map feature, "The Land of Dracula," enhances user engagement with detailed explorations of significant locations from the film.

Extras included on this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful track by Director Gary Shore and Production Designer Francois Audouy.
• Alternate Opening: Offers a different start to the film with optional commentary.
• Deleted Scenes: Six scenes with optional filmmaker commentary.
• The Land of Dracula: Interactive map with varied featurettes.
• Luke Evans: Creating a Legend: Evan’s narrative reel on various scenes.
• Day in the life: Luke Evans: On-set documentary of the lead actor.
• Dracula Retold: Historical overview related to Vlad the Impaler.
• Slaying 1000: Look at the supernaturally charged battle production.

"Dracula Untold," directed by Gary Shore and penned by screenwriters Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama, ambitiously revives a classic horror icon with a modern twist, interweaving historical elements with supernatural intrigue. The narrative follows Vlad III (Luke Evans), Prince of Wallachia, who enters a pact with an ancient vampire (Charles Dance) to fend off Ottoman forces threatening his people and family. The transformation grants him immense power but curses him with an insatiable bloodlust, a Faustian bargain that leads to a perpetual internal and external struggle. This initial setup cleverly mixes themes of obsession and temptation, appealing to those intrigued by the humanization of legendary monsters.

Despite its promising start, the film’s trajectory falters as it succumbs to predictable tropes and uneven pacing. After an engaging first forty minutes marked by suspense and developed storytelling, the film transitions into a series of CGI-laden battles, sacrificing character depth for spectacle. Plot inconsistencies arise, such as Vlad's inconsistent display of power—perfectly capable of decimating armies with bats yet struggling in individual combat—diluting the narrative’s integrity. The intended climactic confrontation between Vlad and Mehmet II (Dominic Cooper) turns into an unintentional parody due to its implausible setting within a tent filled with silver coins, elements that detract from the emotional weight the scene presumably aims to carry.

Undoubtedly, the most glaring issue stems from the film's rushed final act, where scenes seem haphazardly thrust together in an attempt to fast-forward the storyline towards a franchise setup rather than maintaining a cohesive standalone film. This results in half-baked character arcs and critical plot points that feel underserved. Though the denouement is intriguing enough to hint at potential future installments, the execution of "Dracula Untold" falls short, leaving audiences with a sense of missed opportunity. If there’s hope for the proposed series' success, it lies in a reevaluation of focus—prioritizing richer storytelling and character exploration over blockbuster gimmicks.

"Dracula Untold" represents a valiant attempt by Universal to reimagine the classic Dracula tale through an anti-hero lens, blending traditional horror elements with modern superhero tropes. The first half of the film displays an enthusiastic embrace of its premise, showcasing cleverness and care that grip the audience. Unfortunately, the narrative diminishes in quality as it progresses past the forty-minute mark, leading to a climax that fails to capitalize on the promising groundwork laid earlier on. Although not a complete misfire, the film wavers in its balance of tone and storytelling cohesion.

Universal's Blu-ray release of "Dracula Untold" compensates for the film's narrative shortcomings with its top-tier technical presentation. The video quality is exceptional, preserving intricate details and vibrant colors that enhance the viewing experience. Coupled with an effective DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, it delivers an immersive auditory landscape. The special features, though generous, lack the depth and engagement needed to truly satisfy fans or enrich the viewing experience.

In conclusion, while "Dracula Untold" struggles to maintain its initial promise throughout its runtime, it still offers enough entertainment value to warrant a rental. The technical excellence of the Blu-ray format elevates the overall experience, making it a worthwhile addition to any collection, especially for those looking forward to more robust entries in Universal's horror icon reboot.