Day of the Dead: Bloodline Blu-ray Review

"Day of the Dead: Bloodline," presented by Lionsgate Films in AVC encoded 1080p with a 2.38:1 (2.39:1) aspect ratio, delivers a proficient yet discoverable video experience. The transfer provides commendable detail, especially in well-lit scenes and exterior shots where sharpness and clarity prevail. Presence of intricate details like scuffs on microscopes and dried blood on vials are noticeable, contributing to an overall clean and crisp image. The depth is handled effectively, with good background and foreground spacing, although some fast-paced scenes exhibit minor blurring.

The film employs various filters that lend a degree of aesthetic intention, such as blue and green tints to enhance the decaying ambiance, which somewhat mutes the color throughout. This desaturation dominates the visual palette, reinforcing the horror theme effectively. However, bright, vivid red blood splatters occasionally break through to provide a stark contrast. The CGI elements are competently integrated, with close-ups of wounds and blood that may elicit a visceral response from viewers.

Black levels are mostly deep and inky, essential for a horror film's dark settings, although there are instances of bleeding in darker sequences. Skin tones remain consistent but tend to appear pale in keeping with the film's ghastly aesthetic. Details remain sharp in lit environments, prominently displaying the film's practical makeup effects and gory details, though they occasionally wash out in filtered and darker scenes. Despite its limitations in detail under low light conditions and some occasional noise, the video presentation manages to stay mostly clean without artifact disruptions. Overall, while “Day of the Dead: Bloodline” may not reach top-tier benchmarks in video quality, it offers a respectable and atmospheric rendering suitable for its genre.

The audio presentation of "Day of the Dead: Bloodline" on Blu-ray is characterized by a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that offers a forceful and engaging auditory experience. The track excels in providing jarring low-frequency effects, particularly during action scenes, and effectively uses the surround channels to create a tense atmosphere with ominous musical scores. Distinctive sound effects, such as zombie growls and bites, are frequently utilized; however, their repetitive nature may detract from the overall immersion for some viewers. The dialogue remains clean and clearly enunciated throughout, ensuring that conversations are easily comprehensible against the backdrop of more intense sound effects.

This release features a solid audio mix that balances its elements well, with dynamic crescendos adding to the suspense as characters navigate dark environments. Despite some redundancy in the repetitive sound effects, the mix maintains a decent punch during more action-heavy moments, supported by respectable bass that enhances the impact without becoming overwhelming. Directionality and the distribution of sound are handled proficiently, with accurate left-to-right movement and effective use of rear speakers for ambiance and significant events. The mix is front-heavy but still provides a well-rounded listening experience that aligns with the expectations for a film of this genre and scale, contributing effectively to the horror atmosphere intended by the filmmakers.

The extras on the Blu Ray release of "Day of the Dead: Bloodline" offer a single behind-the-scenes featurette that moderately showcases the efforts behind the film. The supplementary content titled "Day of the Dead Bloodline: Reviving the Horror" includes interviews with cast and crew, on-set footage, and commentary on their creative process. However, it mainly serves as a standard Electronic Press Kit (EPK) with minimal depth, consisting largely of general insights and repetitive takes on Romero’s original work. While the featurette provides cursory entertainment, it lacks substantive content for those craving a comprehensive look into the film’s production.

Extras included in this disc:

Day of the Dead Bloodline: Reviving the Horror: Interviews with cast and crew, on-set footage, and general insights on the production and Romero's original.

"Day of the Dead: Bloodline" struggles to live up to the legacy of George A. Romero’s original 1985 classic. While some modern reboots and remakes aim to innovate or expand on their sources, this iteration fails spectacularly on several fronts. Opening with an overlong pre-credits sequence that aims for shock value but falls flat, the film introduces us to medical student Zoe Parker (Sophie Skelton) and her confrontations with a creepy stalker-turned-zombie named Max (Johnathan Schaech). The narrative quickly devolves into a mishmash, revisiting sequences from the original film but failing to capture any of its claustrophobic tension or sociopolitical undercurrents. Instead, we get a Frankenstein-like tale with Max as a semi-intelligent zombie that never manages to evoke any real fear or sympathy.

Technical aspects of the film such as photography and acting are notably subpar, with many line readings appearing amateurish at best, likely hindered by language barriers from a largely Bulgarian crew. The supposed jump scares, adorned with exaggerated LFE on the soundtrack, feel forced and lack impact. On a positive note, the movie does feature competent practical gore effects, but these become monotonous through repetitive use. The film's attempt to add depth with backstories, including Max as a sexual predator before his transformation, only detracts from the narrative coherence and emotional engagement.

Ultimately, "Day of the Dead: Bloodline" is yet another uninspired addition to the overcrowded zombie genre, devoid of the innovative spirit that made Romero’s works seminal. It misses the deeper social commentaries and memorable character crafting that characterized the original. Despite some occasional decent blood and guts practical effects, overall, the film offers nothing new or worthwhile, standing as a stark reminder of franchise fatigue in horror cinema.

"Day of the Dead: Bloodline" is an uninspiring remake of a remake, falling short on several fronts. The film attempts to modernize and add depth to Romero’s original, but it largely fails to deliver anything memorable or engaging. Characters, dialogue, and storyline are lackluster and appear to exist solely for the sake of the plot, with little motivation or reason driving their actions. While the zombie action might meet genre expectations, it doesn't offer anything new or noteworthy. The gore effects are decent but not enough to redeem the overall mediocrity.

On the technical side, the Blu-ray presentation is competent but unimpressive. Both video and audio quality are passable, providing an adequate viewing experience without standing out. The included extra is merely a promotional EPK piece lacking in-depth insights or behind-the-scenes content, adding little value for purchasers. For collectors deeply invested in the zombie genre or Romero’s works, this release might be worth considering, albeit at a discounted price.

In conclusion, "Day of the Dead: Bloodline" is unimaginative and repetitive, lacking the innovation and raw impact that fans of the original might expect. Technical merits meet basic standards but offer no compelling reason to purchase. Hardcore zombie collectors might find slight value in owning it, but general audiences would be better served by avoiding this underwhelming effort.