Damned by Dawn Blu-ray Review

"Damned By Dawn" arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that showcases a series of technical shortcomings. Shot on low-budget high-definition video, the film aims for a desaturated, moody aesthetic but falls short of achieving a polished look. While some close-up shots exhibit a high level of detail, such as the texture of a knit winter hat or tree bark, the overall image quality is marred by frequent compression artifacts. Issues like crushed black levels, banding in CGI elements such as fog, and noticeable video noise detract from the viewing experience. The muted color palette, although consistent with the film's tone, results in skin tones appearing awkward and sickly. Overall, clarity and detail are inconsistent, with many scenes coming across as dingy and murky.

The picture quality is further compromised by technical anomalies that permeate the viewing experience. Textures frequently appear blocky, with moire patterns noticeably disrupting finer details in scenes featuring curtains or other intricate textures. Color banding is prevalent, particularly in interior and exterior gradient-heavy scenes. The visual presentation is devoid of vibrancy and depth, creating a flat and unappealing image throughout the film's runtime. It's clear that despite some attempts to mitigate noise through post-production processing, the end result is far from ideal, making the viewing experience less than satisfactory.

The audio presentation of "Damned by Dawn" on Blu-ray is delivered in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, yet it falls short of the expectations typically set by horror films. The mix, predominantly front-heavy, attempts to provide an immersive aural experience through sporadic rear channel activity featuring demons, thunder, and crumbling rocks. The iconic banshee's cry pierces through all speakers, but the overall balance and consistency of the audio leave much to be desired.

A notable detriment is the track's frequent and abrupt volume spikes, necessitating constant manual adjustments—a considerable drawback during viewing. Dialogue suffers from a muffled quality, muddling clarity and reducing overall intelligibility. The mix’s occasional shrillness and clunky movement detracts from the seamless experience expected of a modern horror soundtrack. Sporadic bass enhancements offer limited reprieve, though they seem disconnected from the rest of the audio mix.

In summary, while the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track offers some moments that temporarily elevate the experience, the overall execution remains lackluster. The sound mix struggles with balance, consistency, and clarity, falling short of creating a fully engaging audio experience.

The Blu-ray of "Damned by Dawn" offers a solid set of extras for fans looking to delve deeper into the filmmaking process. The disc includes two audio commentaries: one features the director Brett Anstey with the crew, which can be somewhat disjointed due to multiple people speaking over each other; the other features Anstey with the cast, offering a more lively and entertaining discussion despite occasional lapses into inside jokes. The standout extra is the Making the Damned Film featurette, an extensive and more engaging examination than the film itself, showcasing the crew's passion and the numerous challenges faced during production, such as technical mishaps and quirky filming anecdotes. This makes it a must-watch for horror enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Brett Anstey and Crew: A mixed-bag commentary with technical discussions.
• Audio Commentary with Director Brett Anstey and Cast: Engaging and lively insights mixed with humor.
• Making the Damned Film Featurette: Comprehensive 55-minute behind-the-scenes documentary.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original film trailer.
• Trailers: Previews for "The Lost Tribe" and "Bangkok Adrenaline".

"Damned by Dawn" endeavors to deliver a haunting foray into the underutilized lore of the banshee, but struggles to emerge from the shadows cast by its superior predecessors. The film follows Claire (Renee Wilner) as she returns to her remote Australian home to visit her dying grandmother, only to face a night of supernatural retaliation after interfering with a banshee's ritual. Brett Anstey's direction showcases commendable use of limited resources, but his vision falls short when it comes to innovative storytelling and genuine scares. The predictable plot and lackluster character development severely undermine the intended horror, rendering it more tedious than terrifying.

Despite its ambitious premise, "Damned by Dawn" is plagued by subpar CGI and uninspired special effects reminiscent of outdated video game scenes. The skeletal specters meant to instill fear instead invoke unintentional hilarity, detracting from the film's eerie atmosphere. Moreover, the incessant, grating wail of the banshee—pivotal to the film's horror—ends up more annoying than unsettling, alienating viewers rather than immersing them in terror.

Anstey's homage to classics like "The Evil Dead" and "Drag Me to Hell" is evident, yet the film misses the mark by failing to incorporate the dark humor that made those films successful. The mechanical pacing and ineffective horror elements render "Damned by Dawn" an unfortunate addition to the extensive catalog of low-budget horror misfires. While the idea of a banshee-centric horror remains intriguing, this iteration is a tentative step in what could have been a sprint toward a genuinely chilling narrative. Horror enthusiasts may find a fleeting interest in its unique concept, but they'll likely come away disappointed by a film that overpromises and underdelivers.

"Damned by Dawn" attempts to revive the Gothic horror genre with its unique supernatural elements and special effects. However, its low-budget execution falls short in terms of delivering genuine scares. The film struggles significantly with its CGI, frequently leading to unconvincing visuals that undermine the intended horror. Additionally, despite comparisons to "Evil Dead," it lacks the engaging characters and potent fear factor that made the latter a classic.

The Blu-ray release by Image offers some redeeming features for devoted horror enthusiasts. It includes two commentary tracks and an hour-long making-of featurette. These extras provide insightful background and might appeal to fans who appreciate behind-the-scenes content. Unfortunately, the overall quality of the Blu-ray is subpar, marked by suboptimal video and audio that further diminish the viewing experience.

In conclusion, while the filmmakers made a commendable effort to craft a budget-friendly horror film, "Damned by Dawn" ultimately fails to impress. The characters lack depth, the scares are ineffective, and the technical aspects are disappointing. It's recommended to opt for other well-established titles in the genre instead. For Blu-ray collectors and hardcore horror aficionados, the included special features may offer some value, but for most viewers, this release is better left on the shelf.