Deep Rising Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber presents "Deep Rising" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 2.34:1 aspect ratio image, delivering a substantial improvement over the prior Mill Creek double-feature release. The transfer showcases a finer film grain that maintains a cinematic feel without becoming intrusive. Detail levels are significantly enhanced, allowing facial textures, costumes, and set pieces to stand out more clearly. The film's dark tones and muted mid-range colors are robust, with standout primaries like Famke Janssen’s red dress and the intense gore effects appearing particularly vibrant. Although some sequences appear somewhat soft, and shadow-heavy scenes occasionally verge on crush, these issues are minimal and do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

The 1080p transfer provides a notable upgrade in color reproduction and contrast. Reds are especially vivid, with Janssen’s dress glowing and blood splatter retaining its visceral impact. Black levels are improved, maintaining more profound shadow details even in the predominantly night-set scenes. Skin tones appear natural and well-balanced, while the ship’s metal interiors display a consistent, drab palette indicative of the film's mood. While some CGI effects from the late '90s reveal their age more clearly due to higher resolution, practical effects and miniatures blend seamlessly into the enhanced visual presentation.

Overall, this new Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber significantly elevates the visual quality of "Deep Rising" with sharper resolution and more dynamic color fidelity. Enhanced detail renders the costuming and set designs more appreciable, while better contrast ensures a more immersive viewing experience, despite minor drawbacks in shadow detail and softness. This transfer manifests as a strong upgrade for fans of the film.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of Deep Rising by Kino Lorber Studio Classics excels in delivering an immersive and engaging experience. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is exceptionally executed, offering a robust and dynamic auditory adventure. Dialogue is crisp and well-positioned, ensuring clarity even during overlapping and high-action scenes. Jerry Goldsmith's score integrates beautifully, bolstering suspense with its percussive elements while maintaining tonal integrity. Sound effects are impressively diverse and detailed, from the chaotic gunfire to the growls of the monstrous entities. The low-end response is substantial, lending weight to explosions and crashes, which enriches the overall intensity of the action sequences. The surrounds are actively utilized to enhance the spatial experience, with elements like monster movements and ambient environmental sounds contributing to a vividly immersive soundstage.

This release offers two audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0. Both tracks are skillfully crafted, but the 5.1 mix stands out for its aggressive and impactful presentation. The opening scenes, featuring the monster swimming through shipwrecks, showcase excellent LFE that rattles the bass and demonstrates fantastic imaging. The soundstage is meticulously managed, with bullets, rushing water, and thunder effectively distributed among the rear channels. While the 2.0 stereo mix is competent, it lacks the spatial nuances of the 5.1 track, resulting in a more front/center-heavy experience. Compression has been adeptly managed in this Kino release, despite a lower average bitrate compared to previous iterations, resulting in nearly identical sound quality but with a slightly wider dynamic range.

Overall, the combination of clear dialogue, compelling special effects, and a powerful musical score makes this Blu-ray's audio presentation a thrilling complement to the visual spectacle of Deep Rising.

The Blu-ray release of "Deep Rising" offers an impressive array of bonus features that delve deeply into the film's production. Director Stephen Sommers and editor Bob Ducsay provide a comprehensive commentary track filled with insights and anecdotes. Multiple interviews with cast members, including Kevin J. O'Connor, Wes Studi, Anthony Heald, and crew such as cinematographer Howard Atherton and second unit director Dean Cundey, offer personal stories and technical details about the challenging wet shoots and innovative visual effects. The disc also explores practical effects with industry experts Doug Morrow and Brad Proctor and includes detailed breakdowns of ILM’s CGI work. Additionally, there are various featurettes, still galleries, and trailers making this package a thorough exploration of the film's behind-the-scenes efforts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring director Stephen Sommers and editor Bob Ducsay.
• Kevin J. O'Connor Interview: Discusses collaboration with Sommers.
• Wes Studi Interview: Covers shooting challenges and visual effects.
• Anthony Heald Interview: Explores last-minute casting and on-set experiences.
• Howard Atherton Interview: Cinematographic approaches and challenges.
• Dean Cundey Interview: Second unit director’s insights and methodologies.
• The Visual Effects of Deep Rising: Insights from visual effects supervisors.
• The Practical Effects of Deep Rising: Details on practical effects used.
• ILM Effects: Sections on animatics, creature tests, water tests, and more.
• Still Gallery: Publicity photos and behind-the-scenes snapshots.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material.

Stephen Sommers’ 1998 film Deep Rising combines a high-seas heist with monstrous calamity aboard the luxury cruise liner, the Argonautica. Starring Treat Williams, Famke Janssen, and Kevin J. O’Connor, the movie delves into CGI-heavy adventuring that showcases the director’s early efforts in integrating live-action and computer effects. The plot kicks off with John Finnegan (Treat Williams), an unscrupulous captain-for-hire who, along with his mechanic Joey (Kevin J. O’Connor), unknowingly ferries a group of mercenaries intent on hijacking the ship. When a tentacled sea monster interrupts their plans, the narrative spins into a survival quest filled with chaos, gore, and dark humor as they face off against the creature.

Sommers is known for his work on The Mummy franchise, but Deep Rising holds its own as an R-rated B-movie that relishes in unabashed mayhem. The film capitalizes on its claustrophobic setting and aligns itself with the creature feature tradition, embodying both 1950s monster movie aesthetics and modern CGI ambitions. The special effects, though crude by today's standards, ambitiously portray a giant squid-like creature that devours its victims—a delight for fans of monster cinema. Jerry Goldsmith’s dynamic score and the active sound design help compensate for the absence of the monster in the first half, enhancing the tension and keeping the audience engaged.

Characterization in Deep Rising is simple yet effective for its genre. John Finnegan’s cynical heroism contrasts with Joey’s comic relief—though occasionally forced—and Hanover’s (Wes Studi) menacing leadership. Famke Janssen’s Trillian stands out as a resourceful pickpocket who adds depth to the ensemble cast dominated by opportunistic criminals and luxury-obsessed elites. Anthony Heald’s character Simon adds a layer of corporate villainy. Despite turning in typical genre performances, the actors' commitment to their roles infuses the film with immersive energy.

Overall, Deep Rising integrates horror and action common to late '90s cinema with an undeniable flair for entertainment, despite its initial box office failure.

"Deep Rising" brings a unique blend of over-the-top action, horror, and humor. Directed by Stephen Sommers, it skillfully combines mindless fun with high-intensity cacophony. Notably, scenes where characters flee from the monstrous creature through the ship’s corridors, or zip through hallways on a Jet Ski, add to the frantic energy. It's this mixture of chaos and adrenaline that makes the film stand out as a post-Jurassic Park era classic. The Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber superbly enhances these elements, providing impressive visual clarity that truly showcases Sommers' dedication to controlled havoc.

Originally released in 1998, "Deep Rising" is a movie that belies its B-movie label with a surprisingly large budget and an impressive cast. Despite fading at the box office, it amassed a dedicated fan base due to its unapologetically gory and gooey fun. The film stands out as one of the few R-rated monster movies from its time, delivering graphic violence that complements its thrilling monster mayhem. This new Blu-ray edition offers superior transfer quality and enhanced audio options that elevate the viewing experience. With several hours of engaging bonus features, it's a treasure trove for fans and newcomers alike.

In conclusion, "Deep Rising" remains a vastly entertaining creature feature that skillfully marries blockbuster extravagance with classic B-movie sensibilities. The Kino Lorber Blu-ray stands as the definitive release, providing a much-needed upgrade with excellent visuals and audio enhancements. If you’re among its loyal fans or just discovering it, this edition is undoubtedly a highly recommended addition to your collection.