The Beast Within Blu-ray Review

"The Beast Within" arrives on Blu-ray from Scream Factory with an impressive AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The visual presentation of this cult classic is remarkably pristine, showing virtually no signs of damage. The film’s elements have been well-preserved, resulting in accurate and nicely saturated colors, with fine details that enhance the cinematic experience. Particularly, the transformation scenes towards the end of the film reveal a commendable level of detail. The contrast and black levels are strong and consistent throughout, offering a solid and pleasing visual experience that faithfully captures the original aesthetics of the film.

Despite being a low-budget movie from over thirty years ago, the video quality is exceptional, with striking clarity even in the smallest details. From leaves on trees to individual bricks on buildings, viewers will appreciate the sharpness that brings out the textures and nuances of scenes. The facial complexions are lifelike, revealing fine textures with excellent detail. The varied color palette is bold and animated, making the 2.35:1 image visually engaging. Contrast handling is superb, delivering clean whites and rich black levels with exceptional gradational details even in the darkest portions of the frame. Overall, "The Beast Within" on Blu-ray offers a significant visual treat for fans of the genre and collectors alike.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track on "The Beast Within" Blu-ray offers a robust and high-fidelity audio experience. Dialogue is crisply articulated, seamlessly blending with effects and Les Baxter's evocative score, which is presented cleanly and clearly. The fidelity of the track is notable, as it presents no damage or issues, ensuring an undistorted and immersive listening experience.

Billy Connors' metamorphosis scene highlights the effectiveness of the DTS-HD Master Audio stereo soundtrack, showcasing a surprisingly high quality for a feature of this caliber. The center-focused vocals are articulate and precise, while background effects fill out the soundstage, enhancing the sense of presence. The musical score does a fine job in expanding the imaging with distinct dynamics and very good acoustics, despite the expectedly underwhelming bass. Overall, the lossless mix stands out for its pristine condition and engaging quality.

The "Extras" section of "The Beast Within" Blu-ray is a well-rounded package offering insightful and nostalgic content for fans and cinephiles. With two audio commentaries, the first by director Philippe Mora and actor Paul Clemens offers behind-the-scenes anecdotes and production memories, while the second, featuring screenwriter Tom Holland and moderated by Rob Galluzzo, delves into creative processes, thematic discussions, and character developments. The inclusion of a theatrical trailer and radio spots provide a historical promotional context which enhances the viewing experience. This combination of features creates a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the film's creation and legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Brief promotional trailer of the film.
• Radio Spots: Short promotional audio advertisements.
• Audio Commentary with Director Philippe Mora and Actor Paul Clemens: In-depth discussion on production experiences.
• Audio Commentary with Screenwriter Tom Holland: Analytical conversation dissecting creative processes, themes, and character development.

"The Beast Within" provides a creepy Southern Gothic horror experience meshed with introspective psychological elements and palpable physical transformations. The story revolves around Michael (Paul Clemens), the result of a horrifying rape, finding himself manifesting strange symptoms seventeen years later. As his parents, Caroline (Bibi Besch) and Eli (Ronny Cox), investigate past events, the plot advances with twin threads of physical and psychological horror.

This dichotomy is expertly penned by Tom Holland, who entwines the chaos of adolescent puberty with ominous undertones, culminating in Michael’s grotesque transformation sequence. Despite being often absurd, this transformation showcases staggering special effects by Tom Burman, where Michael's affliction causes his face to swell, his skull to deform, and his spine to grotesquely protrude. The scene is a chilling highlight of the film, elevating an otherwise predictable narrative.

Director Philippe Mora's approach, however, lacks finesse and can render the movie unintentionally comedic at times due to its over-the-top absurdity. Despite the underlying cleverness of joining werewolf mythology with "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde," Mora's execution often feels monotonous and television-like. Though many scenes are plagued with mediocrity, the film earns its cult status through its metaphorical insight into teenage angst and the exaggerated yet engrossing metamorphosis sequence, making it a subject of admiration among horror aficionados.

"The Beast Within" marries the familiar parental dread of raising teens with a visceral horror experience, providing an intriguing blend of mania and fear. The film, while sometimes bordering on the absurd, offers enough thrills and chills to captivate true horror enthusiasts. Despite its somewhat dull narrative at points, the standout makeup effects and the climactic metamorphosis sequence lend it an undeniable charm, making it a noteworthy entry in the genre. Shout! Factory has ensured that the Blu-ray release does justice to the film's legacy, delivering a solid technical package that fans will appreciate.

Technically, the Blu-ray excels, with impressive audio and video fidelity that highlight the film's atmospheric tension and special effects. The pristine presentation underscores the film’s ability to use visual and auditory elements to convey its unique metaphor of teenage angst and frustration. This is especially relevant for those who enjoy revisiting cult classics and examining their thematic undercurrents. The detailed makeup work and transformation sequences are given their due prominence, solidifying the Blu-ray as a must-have for collectors.

Have you ever wanted to kill your teenager? "The Beast Within" takes that familiar parental trope and shifts it into a manic horror outing that is both silly and scary in about equal measure. Horror fans will probably find enough here to merit a purchase, and Shout! once again offers a solid technical package along with some appealing supplements.