Friday the 13th Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Friday the 13th" achieves a notable representation of this classic low-budget film, boasting impressive mastery in handling its inherent limitations. Although it’s evident that the 1980 film stock carries a considerable amount of film grain and natural softness, this disc stands as the best iteration seen on home video. Paramount's restoration efforts have yielded a clean master source with minimal debris, offering detailed fidelity that highlights even the finer aspects like Crazy Ralph’s stubble. The colors are warmly rendered, with bold crimson reds and accurate skin tones, contributing to an authentically retro palette that significantly enhances the visual experience.

This 1080p encode employs MPEG-4 AVC compression on a BD-50 layer, maintaining an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 from the 2009 release. The transfer displays adequately preserved film grain, which complements the organic texture, coupled with vibrant colors that breathe new life into familiar scenes. Despite these strengths, some inherent deficits remain, such as the graininess in dark sequences and limited shadow detail. Moreover, vertical lines occasionally flicker through the image, but these are minor distractions in an otherwise commendable presentation. A future release in 4K Ultra HD with HDR would certainly augment the already striking visual quality, aligning with current technical advancements seen in recent offerings from other niche studios.

Ultimately, while "Friday the 13th" on Blu-ray does not surpass the visual expectations set by contemporary standards, it undeniably delivers an extraordinary upgrade from previous home video releases. Enhanced detail clarity allows viewers to experience nuances previously unseen, and despite its low-budget origins, the faithful color reproduction and cleaned-up picture affirm this disc’s enduring quality even years post-release.

The audio presentation for the "Friday the 13th" Blu-ray offers a solid performance, with both English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD and English 2.0 Mono Dolby Digital tracks available. While the same 5.1 mix from the 2009 disc is reused, including French and Spanish mono options, it provides commendable depth given the film's low-budget origins. Dialogue remains prominent and clear, though it can scratch and distort at higher volumes. The iconic Ki, Ki, Ki… Ma, Ma, Ma… segments take advantage of the surround capabilities, migrating from speaker to speaker, enhancing the immersive experience. However, much of the audio remains front and center, reflecting the movie's original production constraints.

Despite the limitations inherent in the original sound design, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track brings a fuller experience by widening some sound effects while keeping dialogue anchored in the center channels. Manfredini’s score is a highlight, presented with a commanding presence that adds to the film's tension. Ambient sounds and storm scenes utilize the surround setup well, adding needed atmospheric elements. Nonetheless, purists might prefer the mono track for its authenticity, as it maintains the film’s original audio characteristics without the added dynamic of modern surround sound technology.

Overall, while it's evident that "Friday the 13th" wasn't designed for surround sound, the Blu-ray’s audio delivers a satisfactory mix. It maximizes what the original low-budget soundscape can offer, ensuring that both fans and audiophiles can appreciate Manfredini’s score and the film’s dialogue with clarity. Optional subtitles in English, French, and Spanish are also provided, with the availability of clear Dolby Digital Mono tracks acting as a valuable inclusion for purists who seek a more original auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Friday the 13th" delivers a comprehensive and nostalgic collection of extras that thoroughly explore the film’s legacy and production. The included audio commentary, guided by Peter M. Bracke with insights from key cast and crew, is exceptional in its detail. Additionally, the reunion event video offers a nostalgic glimpse into the camaraderie among the cast. "Fresh Cuts" and "The Man Behind the Legacy" provide further depth with exclusive behind-the-scenes anecdotes, while "Secrets Galore Behind the Gore" dives into the intricacies of the film's special effects. Although some content is recycled from prior releases, the collection remains indispensable for enthusiasts. The packaging, featuring classic poster artwork on a smooth, fingerprint-prone steelbook, enhances its collector’s appeal.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary By Director Sean S. Cunningham With Cast And Crew: Detailed commentary with insights and anecdotes.
• Friday The 13th Reunion: Q&A session with cast and crew.
• Fresh Cuts: New Tales From Friday The 13th: Mini-documentary with cast and crew interviews.
• The Man Behind The Legacy: Sean S. Cunningham: Sit-down interview with Director Sean S. Cunningham.
• Lost Tales From Camp Blood – Part 1: Short fan film styled like the original.
• The Friday The 13th Chronicles: Multi-part documentary.
• Secrets Galore Behind The Gore: Exploration of special effects.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original cinematic trailer.

"Friday the 13th," released in 1980, remains a cornerstone of the slasher genre, revolutionizing horror film conventions and revitalizing audience interest in a floundering genre. Often compared to "Psycho" and "Halloween," this film stands out for its unique blend of raw gore and suspense. Directed by Sean Cunningham, "Friday the 13th" was produced on a minimal budget but achieved monumental success, spawning 11 sequels and several remakes. The premise is deceptively simple: a group of teenagers at Camp Crystal Lake is systematically murdered by a mysterious killer, raising questions about who is behind the grizzly acts and building tension through its well-crafted narrative.

The film employs a mystery-centric approach with a significant plot twist revealing Pamela Voorhees, the mother of the presumed dead Jason, as the vengeful killer. Unlike later installments focused on Jason's immortality, this original film relies on suspense and inventive death sequences, masterfully executed by Tom Savini's special effects. The enduring legacy of "Friday the 13th" is partly due to Savini’s gore effects, which still hold up well even in today’s high-definition scrutiny. Notably, the Blu-ray edition features the uncut version of the film, including an additional angle in Kevin Bacon’s death scene that, unfortunately, exposes the artifice of the effect.

One of the film’s primary appeals lies in its ability to make audiences root for the killer. The counselors' naive and often irritating behavior makes their deaths oddly satisfying within the slasher framework. While its simplistic plot and production shortcuts are evident, these limitations forced innovative storytelling techniques and memorable scenes. Capturing both nostalgic value and genuine suspense, "Friday the 13th" set the stage for future slashers, making it essential viewing for horror enthusiasts and a definitive classic in cinematography. Despite its age, it continues to captivate and terrify new generations of viewers.

The 40th Anniversary SteelBook edition of "Friday the 13th" presents a robust option for collectors and enthusiasts of the horror genre. Paramount has opted to recycle the existing disc from the Warner Brothers release, housed in stylish new packaging. This means that audiences get the same content with the updated Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio and versatile subtitle options (English, French, Spanish) on a 95-minute runtime. While it's disappointing that no new features or upgrades were added, the packaging itself is an attractive lure for SteelBook aficionados.

A key highlight of this release is the impeccable Mondo SteelBook presentation, which unfortunately doubles as a fingerprint magnet. This edition prides itself on aesthetics rather than innovation, making it a visually appealing addition to any collection. It's worth noting that while Paramount hints at potential significant future releases, possibly in 4K UHD, this current offering lacks such advancements.

Ultimately, this release caters specifically to collectors and fans who appreciate the allure of SteelBook designs. For those who already possess prior editions or those not particularly inclined towards collector's items, holding out for a more comprehensive upgrade might be wise. There's palpable anticipation in the community for possible forthcoming enhancements in the home video format of the series.

Conclusion

The gore and violence get amped up as time goes on, but I still argue that the original is still the best. The twist at the end is spoiled by most horror fans who have seen the series ad nauseam, but there are aspects about the sequels that really do outclass "Friday the 13th." The original will always hold a place in my heart as a true low-budget classic, and a testament to the entire slasher genre.

Rumor has it on the grapevine that Paramount is bringing forth something big with the series. Since there are legal troubles with making more sequels, I’m assuming that it has something to do with a new home video release. Are we getting a massive boxset ala the Warner Brothers steel tin, which is great except for the cardboard sleeves that hold the discs and is now out of print? Are we getting new and remastered Blu-rays? Or is our greatest wish coming true with 4K UHD remasters of the entire series?! One can only hope, but this 40th Anniversary edition will have to do for now. Like with most of these SteelBook releases by Paramount, the disc housed inside is the exact same disc as the Warner brothers release, as well as the Paramount re-release which we’ve had for years. It’s just housed in a brand new (and snazzy looking) Mondo SteelBook case that is specifically geared towards collectors. The incentive for picking up the set will strictly be determined by how much you love SteelBooks. If you already own the film or don’t care about SteelBooks, then the 1-8 film Paramount boxset is dirt cheap and costs only a hair more than this SteelBook. But if you love SteelBooks, then it’s a solid buy. It’s a great movie regardless of what set you own.