Extraterrestrial Blu-ray Review

"Extraterrestrial," presented on Blu-ray by Scream Factory, demonstrates commendable visual quality with its AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Shot digitally with Red Epic cameras at a 5k source, the resulting detail and clarity are remarkable, especially in brightly lit, sun-drenched exterior scenes. Colors are vividly saturated and accurate, contributing to the high level of detail and fine detail that stands out particularly in the film's first half. The sharpness of these scenes underscores a careful and thoughtful approach to digital cinematography and lighting.

However, the visual integrity encounters issues in the darker second half of the film. The movie employs a found footage style using minicams and cell phone videos, which introduces pixellation, noise, macroblocking, banding, and general fuzziness. These lo-fi moments are either sourced from actual low-resolution elements or artificially degraded to achieve the desired effect. Additionally, scenes influenced by heavy red or blue filters, especially during alien abduction sequences, result in a significant loss of shadow detail and fine detail. The transition to CGI-heavy scenes within the alien mother ship further exacerbates these issues, as the high resolution highlights the disparity between real and rendered visuals. Despite these drawbacks, the overall presentation showcases a well-executed use of lighting that maintains an engaging visual experience throughout most of the film.

"Extraterrestrial" features a stellar DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track that enhances the viewing experience with near constant immersion, particularly in the latter half of the film as the alien narrative intensifies. The ambient sounds in the forest are meticulously placed, creating an enveloping sense of aural claustrophobia. Low-frequency effects (LFE) are strategically deployed to deliver scare-inducing jolts, while the dynamic range and fidelity meet high standards without noticeable defects. However, viewers should note that in noisier segments, dialogue can occasionally be overshadowed, but this remains an infrequent issue as most spoken content comes through cleanly.

Interestingly, despite what the box art may suggest, this release indeed supports a DTS-HD MA 7.1 track rather than a 5.1 track, catering well to those with capable surround systems. Even for users with stereo setups utilizing the DTS-HD MA 2.0 downmix, the audio presentation is robust and immersive. The sound design ensures a balanced blend of dialogue, ambient noise, and musical score, maintaining an audible tension throughout. The mix excels in imaging, convincingly moving sounds across the channels and adding to the film's eerie atmosphere. Overall, "Extraterrestrial" offers a highly engaging and technically sound audio experience.

The Blu-ray of "Extraterrestrial" provides a commendable range of extras that elevate the viewing experience. The audio commentary by directors Colin Minihan and Stuart Ortiz, along with cast members Brittany Allen and Melanie Papalia, is particularly engaging, delivering a wealth of insights while maintaining an energetic pace. The deleted scenes, spanning over seven minutes, offer additional character development and some intriguing moments that could have positively influenced the film's tone. Similarly, the Making of Extraterrestrial featurette presents a short but informative behind-the-scenes look at the production, providing viewers with a glimpse into the filmmakers' creative process. The trailer effectively conveys the horror/sci-fi elements of the film, making for a compelling preview.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Five scenes providing slow character development moments.
• The Making of Extraterrestrial: Behind-the-scenes look with interviews.
• Trailer: Engaging preview of the film.
• Commentary with Cast and Crew: Informative and lively track by directors and cast.

"Extraterrestrial" opens with a frenetic and slightly humorous scene, setting a promising tone that blends elements of sci-fi and horror. The film begins with a disheveled woman attempting to phone for help from a rural gas station, only to be interrupted by classic alien tropes. This intriguing setup quickly transitions to Sheriff Murphy (Gil Bellows), who investigates the incident and introduces us to April (Brittany Allen) and her friends, including her boyfriend Kyle (Freddie Stroma). As they visit April’s family cabin amidst her parents' divorce, the group unwittingly stumbles upon an alien encounter after a mysterious fireball lights up the sky, underscoring the movie’s core theme.

The ensemble cast skillfully delivers believable performances, especially Bellows as the diligent sheriff and Michael Ironside, who stands out as a conspiracy theorist and marijuana grower. The hilarious and darkly funny moments punctuated by sudden scares work well, though the tonal shifts between humor and horror can at times feel unbalanced. A strong influence of “Signs” is evident in the tension and suspense, magnified by CGI alien beings who bring an eerie presence without overstaying their welcome on screen. The film achieves some nostalgic charm through its mixture of slasher ambience and alien abduction plot points.

Despite its compelling start, "Extraterrestrial" falters slightly in its third act with an overextended sequence involving an alien mothership. This part feels disjointed and somewhat excessive, although it culminates in a darkly humorous conclusion that ties the story together. While not groundbreaking, "Extraterrestrial" delivers enough solid scares and chuckles to make it an entertaining watch. Its unique approach to mixing genres, even if it stumbles, still provides an engaging experience for viewers looking for a blend of sci-fi thrills and horror comedy.

"Extraterrestrial" promises much with its combination of horror and science fiction elements, yet it tends to follow a path congested with genre clichés. While its script often leaves something to be desired in terms of originality and engagement, the film is technically proficient. The Vicious Brothers demonstrate clear directorial talent, but future projects could benefit from more innovative writing. Despite its conventional narrative, the performances are commendable, contributing to the overall sincerity of the production.

From a technical standpoint, "Extraterrestrial" excels. The Blu-ray presentation features fantastic picture quality with sharp details and vibrant colors that fully capture the atmospheric tension. Complementing the stunning visuals is a robust audio track, delivering clear dialogue and immersive soundscapes, which enhance the viewing experience. Though the extras are limited, they offer insightful behind-the-scenes information that fans will appreciate.

In conclusion, while "Extraterrestrial" may not break new ground in its genre, it remains a visually and aurally impressive film with solid performances. It's worth considering for those seeking a blend of horror and sci-fi entertainment, especially for fans who value technical excellence in their home media collections.