Poison Ivy Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Poison Ivy" exhibits a performance that reflects its age, maintaining an AVC encoded image with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio that doesn't seem to benefit from a recent scan. This aging quality leads to a presentation with some wear, albeit contributing to the film's nostalgic allure. The director's choice to use vibrant colors and specific filters plays a significant role in setting the mood throughout the film, with a pronounced emphasis on reds—from clothing to vehicles—and cooler blues during nocturnal scenes at the household. While primaries are presented adequately, they lack the vibrancy one might expect, and skintones occasionally veer towards a reddish hue, though they remain generally authentic. Details in the image can sometimes appear soft, particularly in backgrounds and finer textures, but close-up shots reveal more, such as nuances in skin surfaces and fabric textures that are most noticeable in coarser materials.

The visual experience is compromised by the presence of heavy grain and occasional blockiness, detracting from the overall clarity but not enough to ruin the viewing experience. The delineation is serviceable, ensuring that darker scenes retain some details without becoming muddled. One unique aspect of this Blu-ray release is the inclusion of upscaled standard-definition inserts for the Unrated Cut’s deleted footage. These inserts are visibly different in quality, with transitions between them and the main film being somewhat jarring, though fleeting. A particularly odd transition involves a scene that simply follows Sylvie’s run through a hospital. Despite these shortcomings, the film's visual presentation manages to capture the intended atmosphere and tone, albeit with limitations due to its source material's age and the quality of the transfer.

The audio presentation of "Poison Ivy" on Blu Ray, equipped with a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix, delivers a compelling auditory experience. This mix enhances the film's dialogue, ensuring clarity and nuance without falling victim to distortion, even in its louder moments. The choice of this high-definition audio format underlines a commitment to preserving the film's original sonic quality, a treat for both audiophiles and casual viewers alike.

The jazzy score, an essential component of the film's atmosphere, benefits greatly from this audio mix. Its instrumentation is crisp and detailed, allowing the music to subtly underscore the movie's seductive themes and build tension effectively. This level of audio clarity transforms each scene, elevating the mood and maintaining the viewer's engagement through well-crafted soundscapes.

Moreover, the sound mix excels in reproducing environmental sounds, with rain effects standing out in particular. These atmospherics are presented with a level of clarity that immerses the viewer in the film's world, contributing significantly to the storytelling by enhancing the sense of impending climatic chaos. Overall, the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix on this Blu Ray release not only respects but also enriches the auditory landscape of "Poison Ivy," making it a commendable aspect of the film's home release.

The Blu-ray release of "Poison Ivy" boasts an array of extras that enrich the viewing experience, shedding light on the creative process behind this cult classic. The commentary track, featuring co-writer/director Katt Shea, is particularly insightful, offering a deep dive into the filmmaking journey. Additionally, the inclusion of two theatrical trailers allows fans to relive the anticipation of the movie's original release. These supplements contribute significantly to the appreciation of the film's nuances and are a must-watch for enthusiasts seeking to delve deeper into its production nuances.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Katt Shea: An insightful commentary track.
• Theatrical Trailer #1: A glimpse into the movie's marketing.
• Theatrical Trailer #2: Another perspective on the film's promotional efforts.

In the 1992 film "Poison Ivy," Drew Barrymore embarks on a stark departure from her earlier, more innocent roles to embody the figure of seductress Ivy, thus launching a notable pivot in her career trajectory. Directed by Katt Shea, who is recognized for "Stripped to Kill," the film aspires to transcend sheer eroticism by probing into the psychological depths and complex dynamics between characters. Although Shea earnestly endeavors to elevate the narrative beyond its Skinemax veneer, the movie often succumbs to its more lurid elements, thus muddling its attempts at conveying a grittier story. This internal struggle between sensuality and substance frames the viewing experience, as Shea nearly achieves a sophisticated exploration of her characters' darker sides.

Central to "Poison Ivy" is the evolving relationship between Sylvie (Sara Gilbert), a teen grappling with her affluent background, and Ivy, a new schoolmate who swiftly ingratiates herself into Sylvie's family to alarming degrees. The narrative effectively captures the initial innocence of their friendship, only for it to gradually unravel, revealing Ivy's manipulative intentions. The film navigates through themes of loneliness, desire for acceptance, and the dangerous dynamics of manipulation as Ivy's true motives unfold, seducing not just Darryl (Tom Skerritt), Sylvie's depressed father, but also subtly assuming the role of Sylvie's ailing mother, Georgie (Cheryl Ladd). Despite these intriguing premises, the film ultimately ventures into predictable thriller territory, especially in the latter stages.

"Poison Ivy" offers viewers two distinct experiences: the Theatrical Cut, with a runtime of 91:48, and an Unrated Cut that extends to 94:07, thus providing slightly different lenses through which to view Shea's attempt at a psychological and erotic drama. Although it tends to falter under the weight of its own ambitions at times, Shea's film interestingly delves into issues such as sexual identity, the effects of parental neglect, and the convolutions of friendship before culminating in a somewhat anticlimactic conclusion. Furthermore, even minor characters like Darryl are accorded their complexities—struggling with his age and ailments which helps to contextualize his questionable decisions—thereby enriching the film's exploration of its characters' flawed humanity.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Poison Ivy" delivers a captivating visual and auditory experience that highlights the film's unique blend of sultry aesthetics and psychological intrigue. Barrymore shines in her portrayal of the mysterious titular character, bringing a depth and complexity to the role that stands out amidst the film's occasionally lurid content. The movie's atmospheric tension is further intensified by Shea's potent sax score and the use of dramatic music video lighting, setting a mood that is at once enticing and unsettling. However, the film's venture into more explicit territories can sometimes detract from its core strengths, underscoring the notion that "Poison Ivy" is most engaging when exploring themes of adolescent turmoil and manipulative dynamics.

Despite its venture into the explicit, "Poison Ivy" remains a noteworthy edition to the genre, with the Blu-ray format accentuating its visual and auditory strengths. There's an evident contrast in the film's handling of its heavier themes versus its more sensual scenes, the former capturing a palpable sense of tension and intrigue that occasionally gets overshadowed by the latter. Yet, it's the psychological exploration, paired with strong performances and an evocative score, that solidifies "Poison Ivy" as a compelling watch, particularly for those intrigued by the darker facets of human relationships.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "Poison Ivy" stands as a testament to the film's peculiar charm. It juxtaposes raw human emotion against a backdrop of seductive darkness, all while managing to occasionally falter under its own ambitions. Despite these moments of excess, the presentation shines a light on Barrymore's standout performance and Shea's mood-setting score, making it a valuable addition for collectors and fans of psychological thrillers alike. This edition preserves the essential technical details, ensuring that the film’s atmospheric depth and character complexities are experienced as intended.