Gravy Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Gravy" by Scream Factory comes with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The video quality is sharp and precise, capturing intricate details like wood grains, chipped paint, and clothing threads with impressive clarity. The film, shot digitally, benefits from this robust transfer, showcasing well-lit scenes that impart a clear and pristine image overall. Depth is commendably portrayed with smooth movements and clear background imagery, providing a loose and free appearance of people, objects, and environments.

However, the predominantly dark and dimly lit interiors of the setting occasionally compromise the detail levels. Larger areas in wide shots can suffer from anemic shadow detail and occasional crush, especially where dark costumes and hair blend into the background. The film frequently employs a sickly green-yellow cast which further reduces detail levels in midrange to wide shots. Despite this, close-ups reveal abundant fine detail, offering a window-like appearance of various body parts being prepared for consumption.

Black levels are generally consistent but can occasionally lose definition in darker scenes. The film's gore is vividly saturated with striking reds adding to the gruesome visuals. Colors across the palette remain bold, with greens ranging from matte to vibrant. Flesh tones stay natural throughout, emphasizing skin details like pores, stubble, make-up, sweat and scuffs to great effect. There is a tendency towards splotchy yellow artifacts in dimly lit scenes, a recurrent issue in some of Shout! Factory's discs. Nonetheless, "Gravy’s" Blu-ray provides an engaging and technically proficient visual experience.

The audio presentation of the Gravy Blu-ray offers an engaging DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, with an emphasis on ambient spatial differences and clean dialogue reproduction. While the sound design is not overly ambitious, the mix effectively exploits surround activity through ambient noises, such as events at the back of the restaurant reverberating through the surrounds. Notably, the soundtrack features prominent source cues including contributions from Curt Smith of Tears for Fears, adding depth to the overall auditory experience. The dialogue is generally clean and well-prioritized, ensuring clear communication throughout the film.

In addition to the 5.1 mix, there is an English 2.0 Stereo DTS-HD MA option available. Both tracks deliver crisp and clean sound quality, although the 5.1 mix provides some additional heft to sound effects, such as crashes and impacts, thanks to a robust Low Frequency Extension (LFE). The dynamics of the track are well-rounded, though there is a notable balance issue; sometimes the score is mixed too loudly, which can occasionally overwhelm the dialogue. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall audio presentation is front-heavy but accurately displays action and pitch/volume placements across the soundstage.

Ultimately, Gravy’s Blu-ray audio is a solid offering that should please most enthusiasts, even if it is not without minor issues. The score and source music shine through beautifully, contributing to an immersive experience despite the track not being full of dynamic range. With both 5.1 and 2.0 options available and English subtitles included for accessibility, this presentation provides a satisfying auditory experience that complements the film's visual elements effectively.

The Blu-ray disc of "Gravy" comes with a variety of engaging extra features that provide valuable insights into the film's production. The commentary track, featuring James Roday, Sutton Foster, and Jimmi Simpson, is both informative and entertaining, offering behind-the-scenes anecdotes and humorous insights. "What is Gravy?" offers a brief yet amusing look into the inspiration behind the film, while the EPK gives a comprehensive view of the production process through candid interviews and on-set footage. The inclusion of the original trailer adds a nostalgic touch. Each feature is presented in high definition, ensuring a quality viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary Track: Features James Roday, Sutton Foster, and Jimmi Simpson.
• What is Gravy?: Insightful discussions with the cast and crew.
• EPK: Interviews and on-set footage.
• Trailer: The original promotional trailer.

"Gravy," directed by James Roday, attempts to carve a niche in the horror-comedy genre with a mix of dark humor and gruesome antics set in a single-location scenario. The plot follows three eccentric, costumed psychopaths—Anson (Michael Weston), Stef (Jimmi Simpson), and Mimi (Lily Cole)—who take over a Mexican cantina on Halloween night, forcing the staff and patrons to become unwilling participants in a night of cannibalistic horror. The film kicks off with a deceptively sweet prelude, establishing a bond between the character Anson and a convenience store clerk Bethany (Sarah Silverman), but quickly shifts tone as the narrative progresses into its core storyline. The ensemble cast, including standouts like Sutton Foster as the waitress Kerry and Paul Rodriguez as Chuy, contributes to the film's chaotic energy and quirky humor, despite some occasional tonal inconsistency.

Roday's direction oscillates between graphic horror and cartoonish comedy, making "Gravy" an uneven but spirited viewing experience. The film features an array of genre tropes and overt references to cult classics like "Eating Raoul," yet manages to inject a unique flavor courtesy of its demented scenario and ensemble performances. Jimmi Simpson shines as Stef, embodying a blend of cleverness and instability that adds a layer of unease and unpredictability to the story. The supporting cast complements this chaotic atmosphere, with each actor bringing their own brand of eccentricity to their roles. However, the film sometimes feels like it is trying too hard to juggle multiple tones—ranging from sophomoric humor to genuinely disturbing gore—which can occasionally disrupt its comedic potential.

Despite these issues, "Gravy" succeeds in delivering a twisted, if somewhat uneven, cinematic experience that caters to fans of horror-comedies. Roday's experience with genre-blending from his work on "Psych" is evident, though it doesn't always translate seamlessly onto the big screen. The film's playful spirit, peppered with dark humor and visceral moments, makes it a bizarre yet entertaining watch, one that promises a wild ride for those drawn to the macabre side of comedy.

"Gravy" offers a peculiar blend of horror and comedy, garnering varied responses from viewers. Delving into the niche of cannibalistic humor, the film is buoyed by a committed ensemble cast, particularly Jimmi Simpson's standout performance and some impressive practical gore effects. However, the screenplay's lack of incisiveness results in a narrative that feels more like a light snack than a full meal. The film attempts to carve out its unique space while drawing subtle parallels with other genre pieces.

The Blu-ray transfer is commendable, highlighted by its use of RED cameras which capture an abundance of image detail. The presentation features vibrant color reproduction and accurate skin tones, with only minor drawbacks in black level performance, leading to occasional crush and loss of visual information in darker scenes. The audio options, provided in English 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD, deliver clear dialogue, though sometimes mixed slightly low, along with an excellent score and sound effects that add decent heft. Despite not being overly dynamic, the audio tracks maintain pleasing spatial activity, further enriching the viewing experience. English subtitles are also available for accessibility.

In conclusion, while "Gravy" might not fully satisfy the cravings of all horror-comedy enthusiasts due to its underwhelming screenplay, it boasts strong technical merits that enhance its appeal. The vibrant visuals and robust audio make this Blu-ray a worthwhile investment for fans seeking fresh, entertaining horror. Those intrigued by a game cast in a single-setting scenario will find enough here to warrant a viewing.