Poltergeist Blu-ray Review

The Poltergeist Blu-ray offers an impressive visual presentation, meticulously designed to engross viewers while enhancing the story's supernatural elements. Utilizing a darker color palette interspersed with vivid primary colors, the film achieves a compelling visual narrative. The deliberate use of sepia tones breaks characteristically with striking crimson and warm golden accents, creating a strong cinematic contrast. The picture excels in shadow delineation, providing discernible detail even in the darkest scenes. Brightly lit sequences exhibit excellent resolution, with finely rendered details contributing to a rich, three-dimensional aesthetic. Additionally, the video remains free of artifacts and extraneous noise, ensuring a clean and polished presentation.

Presented by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and MGM, this Blu-ray includes MVC (3D) and AVC (2D) encoded 1080p transfers in 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Shot with Arri Alexa cameras, Poltergeist delivers a sleek and sharp image that these cameras are renowned for. Though certain scenes feature a slightly buttery yellow tint and harsh blue hues reminiscent of television static, the overall detail remains high. Intentionally pixelated and distorted imagery in specific video feed sequences adds to the eerie effect. Despite occasional murkiness in the film’s latter half and softer special effects work, these moments appear to be intentionally crafted, especially within the spectral depictions.

The 3D presentation on this Blu-ray successfully offers consistent depth without resorting to gimmicky elements. Simple scenes, such as a bird’s eye view of a pivotal tree or shots of a frequently run-over mailbox, showcase significant yet subtle dimensionality. Even in dark effect sequences, elements like the ooze from the Bowens' concrete floor display unexpected depth and texture. Although some depth in darker sequences is slightly compromised, the overall dimensional experience remains compelling. This Blu-ray is therefore a commendable addition to any home theater collection, presenting Poltergeist with notable technical excellence and captivating visual depth.

The audio presentation of the "Poltergeist" Blu-ray is a stellar showcase of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround sound capabilities. The soundtrack is rendered with exceptional balance and clarity, where even subtle vocal intonations are discernible. Dialogue is consistently clean and detailed, ensuring every spoken word is easily comprehensible. The dynamic range is extensive, offering both powerful and nuanced auditory experiences that envelop the viewer. The soundstage is notably open, allowing for immersive spatial representation that extends well into the room.

Rear channel activity is plentiful, significantly enhancing the film's atmosphere through an abundant level of immersion. This seamless integration of sound elements emphasizes the horror elements, employing near-field sound effects that are both startling and enriching. The LFE channel is impressively robust, continually active and capable of producing deep, rich bass frequencies that resonate palpably. From the menacing sound of leaves fluttering to the intense moment Madison makes television contact, the audio is punctuated with impactful effects that maintain high prioritization despite some dense sequences.

Marc Streitenfeld's score complements the film superbly, residing comfortably in the side and rear channels while maintaining excellent fidelity. Even though certain special effects sequences become somewhat crowded, prioritization remains strong with minimal dialogue overshadowed by the maelstrom. Overall, this audio presentation faithfully reproduces the film's intense and eerie soundscape, engaging listeners with a dynamically wide and forceful auditory experience that is particularly rewarding in a home theater setup.

The Blu-ray release of "Poltergeist" delivers an engaging collection of extras on the 2D disc, enhancing the film experience beyond the main feature. The Alternate Ending in 1080p explores an intriguing alternative narrative choice and runs for 1 minute and 46 seconds. The Gallery offers a manual and auto-advance option, providing an insightful look into the film's production. Two Theatrical Trailers are also included, giving a nostalgic glimpse into how the film was initially marketed. Notably, the 3D Blu-ray disc lacks supplementary content, which might disappoint some collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Ending: An alternate narrative conclusion.
• Gallery: Manual and Auto Advance options for still images.
• Theatrical Trailer 1: Original promotional trailer.
• Theatrical Trailer 2: Second promotional trailer.

The 2015 remake of "Poltergeist" endeavors to refresh the iconic 1982 horror spectacle with modern storytelling techniques and enhanced visual effects. The narrative remains centered around the Bowen family, who face supernatural forces after moving into a new home. Much like the original, the young daughter, Madison, is abducted by malevolent entities, and her family must wage a battle to save her. While the reboot pays homage to its predecessor, it does little to distinguish itself, falling short in invigorating fear and tension. Director Gil Kenan, known for "Monster House," delivers a film that lacks the genuine terror integral to a paranormal horror narrative.

Technically, the film offers significant updates. Modern CGI supplants the original’s special effects, delivering visually compelling scenes, particularly in 3D. The second set piece, involving paranormal researcher Burke’s attempts to communicate with spirits, showcases these advancements effectively. However, despite the polished visual execution, the film's capability to instill true dread remains deficient. The character dynamics fail to evoke the necessary emotional engagement, and the parental figures' lack of distress undermines the overall scare quotient. Additionally, the film's occasional, unintentionally humorous moments detract from its intended impact.

In summary, while the 2015 "Poltergeist" remake aligns itself closely with the original’s plot points and introduces a few contemporary variations, it struggles to reintroduce the same level of spectral energy and fright. Despite employing top-tier CGI effects that heighten visual interest, the film falters in sustaining a genuinely terrifying atmosphere. Consequently, it remains a technically polished yet emotionally lukewarm homage to its predecessor.

The Blu-ray release of "Poltergeist" delivers a technically proficient presentation, though it may leave viewers wanting more from the film's core elements. The visuals are well-executed, providing an impressive level of detail and clarity that enhances the overall viewing experience. Calibration with professional tools like Calman 5 and C6 Meter from Spectracal, and display on high-end equipment such as a Stewart Filmscreen Studiotek 130 G3 Screen ensures that the picture quality is top-notch. The colors are vibrant, and the contrast is well-balanced, making even the darkest scenes pop without losing detail. Sound quality is robust, benefiting from a sophisticated audio setup that includes a Marantz AV8802A Audio/Video Processor and powerful amplifiers from Sherbourn Technologies and B&K. The 13.2 channel audio system provides an immersive experience with clear dialogue and dynamic special effects.

However, while the technical specs may impress, the film itself struggles to captivate. The performances are uneven; Kennedi Clements brings charm as Madison, yet Kyle Catlett's portrayal of Griffin occasionally feels forced. The intended chemistry between Jared Harris' Burke and Jane Adams' Powell often misses the mark, contributing to a lack of emotional depth. Moreover, the scares that are seminal to a horror film are somewhat lacking; despite polished special effects, the film fails to be genuinely frightening or engaging.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray release of "Poltergeist" excels in technical execution but falters in delivering a compelling horror experience. Potential buyers will appreciate the high-quality audiovisual presentation, yet may find the film itself curiously uninvolving and short on real scares. Fans of special effects will find some merit here, but those seeking a gripping horror narrative might be left wanting.