Creepy Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Creepy" by Eureka Entertainment presents a nuanced yet flawed visual experience, maintaining the film's original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.40:1. Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC in 1080p, the transfer adeptly captures the director's intended aesthetic, particularly through the use of the Arri Alexa XT Plus camera, known for its high-quality results. The interior shots are dominated by a monochromatic palette with a green tint, contributing to a conventional J-horror atmosphere. While this grading enhances the tense ambiance and some scenes exhibit impressive detail, it also results in variable image quality across different lighting conditions.

Detail in external shots is markedly superior, highlighting skin textures and fine details with impressive clarity. Nonetheless, certain scenes suffer from stylistic lighting choices that introduce softness and occasional hints of crush. Despite the camera's capabilities and stable image quality without encoding anomalies, the overall presentation falls short of being reference quality. The darker footage aligns well with the desired tension, but some interior scenes struggle under specific lighting, detracting from overall visual fidelity. Consequently, while the Blu-ray translates Kurosawa's vision faithfully, it delivers an inconsistent visual experience that may not fully satisfy all viewers.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Creepy" offers two distinct audio tracks: a Linear PCM 2.0 track and a more robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The latter is particularly notable for its superior atmospheric quality and broader soundscape, enhancing the thriller by effectively utilizing its myriad audio elements. While not exactly demo material, the 5.1 track provides a richly nuanced experience. Japanese dialogue is prominently displayed across the frontal array, with optional English subtitles that are accurately synchronized with the spoken words. This is complemented by an effects track that captures a wide range of background sounds, from the subtle hum of insects to the lively chatter of students. Instances of silence are used strategically to highlight quieter noises and the unsettling score, creating a sense of unease.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is particularly impressive in its clarity and depth, faithfully replicating the filmmakers' original audio mix. The balance between dialogue, effects, and score is remarkably well-executed, offering outstanding dynamic range and immersive ambiance. Optional English subtitles are meticulously placed within the image frame, ensuring they do not detract from the visual experience. The digital soundtrack is free from audio dropouts or digital anomalies, providing a seamless auditory experience.

In summary, while the LPCM 2.0 mix is competent, it pales in comparison to the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which stands out for its detailed and immersive sound design. This audio presentation effectively enhances the film’s chilling atmosphere, making it a compelling choice for audiophiles and casual viewers alike.

The Blu-ray release of "Creepy" from Eureka offers a well-curated selection of extras that enhance the viewing experience. Primarily, it features an in-depth, 38-minute interview with Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, where he discusses the film's stylistic nuances, his collaboration with cinematographer Akiko Ashizawa, the intricacies of action and dialogue management, and the strategic use of sound. This interview is crucial for those seeking to understand the film on a deeper level. Additionally, the disc includes the original theatrical trailer with English subtitles, providing a glimpse into the film’s initial presentation to audiences. The included illustrated booklet adds further value, containing fresh insights and writings that situate the film within its broader artistic and cinematic contexts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview with Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa: The director discusses the film's style, cinematography, scene management, and sound design.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer with English subtitles.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the film.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Creepy" is an accomplished fusion of psychological thriller and horror, invoking the tension and style reminiscent of Hitchcock's masterpieces such as "Psycho," "Rear Window," and "Vertigo," alongside Mann's "Manhunter." The film follows former detective Takakura, played by Hidetoshi Nishijima, who retires to a quiet teaching job following a traumatic incident. Takakura is drawn into investigating a cold case involving missing families, an inquiry that unexpectedly brings terror closer to home. Kurosawa's adaptation of Yutaka Maekawa’s novel stands out for its meticulous pacing and unsettling atmosphere, often delivering shocks at the most unexpected moments.

The narrative unfolds slowly yet compellingly, building tension through intricate storytelling and the rich developmental arcs of its characters. Key players, including Takakura’s enigmatic neighbor Nishino (Teruyuki Kagawa), add depth and complexity, luring the audience deeper into their troubled world. The film departs from typical horror tropes, incorporating elements of a psychological thriller, which bolsters the tension throughout and leads to a climactic final act. Yet, while meticulously constructed, some critics note that parts of the film feel overly drawn-out. The film's methodical pursuit of the right atmospheric nuance occasionally borders on redundancy, which detracts from the overall pacing.

The most effective scenes in "Creepy" are those that fully embrace the horror genre's visceral aspects. The second half sees an abrupt dive into more explicit horror territory, though not all character motivations fully convince. For instance, Mio’s (Ryoko Fujino) and Yasuko’s (Yuko Takeuchi) behaviors sometimes strain credibility, as their reactions to horrific events lack clear rational explanation. Despite these shortcomings, "Creepy" retains its grip through shocking sequences and a fundamentally eerie tone. An understanding of Kurosawa's direction and an appreciation for slow-burn suspense are essential to fully engage with this unique blend of psychological thriller and horror.

Creepy differentiates itself from genre conventions, cranking up the tension and slow-burning its way through the twists

Whilst the movie doesn't quite reach the level of genre greats, it constantly defies expectations, breathes fresh air into the genre and ultimately comes close to greatness. At the very least it's certainly better than the lazy title suggests, and Eureka's Blu-ray, whilst struggling under the restrictions of the material, does a decent enough job for fans to pick it up. It's certainly worth checking out.

You can buy Creepy on Blu-ray here After the initial quite intriguing buildup I quickly lost interest in Creepy. Its entire story relies on a series of questionable decisions by a few characters that are essentially expected to make it look credible as a psychological thriller, but they struggle and it quickly becomes quite obvious. My feeling is that Creepy was probably meant to visit the same territory that Sion Sono's Cold Fish does, but there really is a sea of difference between them. If you have already seen Creepy and wish to pick up a copy for your collection, you will be pleased to know that Eureka Entertainment's technical presentation of the film is outstanding.

"Creepy" manages to differentiate itself within the psychological thriller genre by masterfully cranking up the tension through its slow-burning narrative. The film eschews conventional genre tropes, constantly defying expectations and injecting fresh elements into its storytelling. Despite its lofty ambitions not entirely hitting the mark set by genre classics, "Creepy" manages to come remarkably close, offering much more than its rather uninspiring title suggests.

However, after the initial gripping buildup, the film's reliance on questionable character decisions somewhat undermines its credibility as a psychological thriller. This flaw becomes increasingly evident as the plot unfolds, hindering its potential to rivet viewers consistently. Comparatively speaking, while "Creepy" aims to explore thematic grounds akin to Sion Sono's "Cold Fish," it falls short of matching its intensity and cohesion.

Eureka Entertainment's Blu-ray release of "Creepy" stands out for its commendable technical presentation. While the limitations of the original material sometimes constrain the experience, dedicated fans and collectors will still find value in this edition. The Blu-ray's quality serves as a redeeming factor, making it an appealing option for enthusiasts of the genre.

In conclusion, although "Creepy" doesn't perfectly execute its ambition, it offers sufficient intrigue and tension to warrant a viewing. For those considering adding it to their collection, Eureka Entertainment’s Blu-ray provides a technical experience that enhances appreciation of the film’s merits.