V/H/S Viral Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "V/H/S: Viral" provides an intriguing visual experience, particularly due to its found footage format that utilizes a variety of camera types, from iPhones and GoPros to security cams and old VHS cameras. Magnolia Home Entertainment's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer maintains the integrity of these varied sources, ensuring what viewers see is as close as possible to the original digital masters. This results in a visual experience that intentionally fluctuates between sharp and detailed to murky and distorted, reflecting the filmmakers' artistic choices. Found footage effects such as deliberate glitching and interference are executed skillfully, particularly in sequences like the wraparound, "Vicious Circles," which pushes these effects to the extreme.

Technically, the Blu-ray boasts an average bitrate of 25.001 Mbps on a BD-25, assuring sufficient quality even with the extras in HD. The image quality varies with different segments, influenced by the type of camera used; a Canon SLR produces different results compared to a GoPro or an iPhone, despite post-production color correction. In scenes with good lighting and minimal artificial distortion, the image tends to be crisp, detailed, and colorful. However, much of the footage is intentionally soft and flat, contributing to the film’s gritty aesthetic. Colors are generally well-saturated and balanced, with skin tones appearing natural, while black levels are deep but occasionally prone to crush.

Ultimately, the transfer exhibits various video issues and artifacts such as banding, video noise, dirt, debris, and scratches. These elements are deliberate and integral to the film’s stylistic objectives rather than defects in the transfer itself. While it may not be the sharpest or most vivid image throughout, "V/H/S: Viral" effectively achieves its intended visual style, earning commendation for its accurate and faithful representation.

The 5.1 audio track on the Blu-ray release of "V/H/S: Viral," encoded in DTS-HD Master Audio, offers a meticulously engineered sound design that straddles the line between cinematic technique and found footage realism. The directors' commentary acknowledges the deliberate departure from the authentic soundscapes one might expect from found footage, resulting in an audio experience rich with dramatic auditory effects. For example, the cacophonous video breakups in "Vicious Circles" produce a literally painful auditory assault through the surround array, mimicking a sensory attack from a supernatural force. The flames and other explosive elements during the magic act in "Dante the Great" offer remarkable depth and presence, far beyond what a consumer camcorder would capture. Additionally, the scientific anomalies in "Parallel Monsters" introduce sounds with significant bass extension, creating an immersive, almost otherworldly feel.

While this design aligns with the calculated aesthetic of the "V/H/S" series, the audio mix is not without purposeful flaws. As part of the film's attempt to emulate consumer-grade camcorder footage, the DTS-HD 5.1 track includes intentional pops, cracks, and high-pitched shrills that contribute to the gritty realism of the handheld camera effect. Certain segments shine with potent sound effects and dynamic LFE, although dialogue can occasionally be muffled or overwhelmed by ambient noises and abrupt cuts inherent to the found footage genre. Despite these inconsistencies, they are deliberate choices that enhance the viewing experience by preserving the chaotic, authentic atmosphere of amateur video recording. The overall dynamic range of the soundtrack is impressively wide, making this a unique and well-executed auditory presentation.

The extras on the Blu-ray of V/H/S Viral offer a varied and insightful glimpse into the film's production. Despite some deviations in interest levels, the content is technically adept and often engaging for fans of the horror anthology. The commentary track with directors and actor Shane Brady is both lively and informative, providing deep dives into filmmaking challenges and the evolution of found footage horror. Todd Lincoln's "Gorgeous Vortex" is a polarizing piece, noted for its lack of dialogue and abstract narrative but appreciated for its visual aesthetics. Meanwhile, the behind-the-scenes features for "Bonestorm" and "Dante the Great" offer practical insights into prosthetics, set design, and stunt choreography. Additional interviews and promotional content round out the package, extending the viewer's immersion into the film's creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Gorgeous Vortex: An artistic short with no dialogue or story, exploring themes of dehumanization.
• Commentary with Directors and Actor: Insightful discussions about challenges and evolution in found footage.
• Bonestorm Behind the Scenes Featurette: Highlights stunt rehearsals, prosthetics, and more.
• Smoke and Mirrors: Behind the Magic of Dante the Great: Director's commentary on inspiration and effects breakdown.
• Interviews: Cast and crew provide in-depth discussions about each segment.
• AXS TV: A Look at V/H/S: Viral: Brief promotional feature with cast and crew excerpts.
• Trailers: Additional trailers from Magnolia Home Entertainment.

"V/H/S: Viral" continues the series’ tradition of presenting unique and edgy horror shorts, although this third iteration is notably shorter at 81 minutes due to the exclusion of the segment "Gorgeous Vortex," which is included as an extra on the Blu-Ray. The remaining segments are connected by the least coherent wraparound story of the franchise titled "Vicious Circles." Directed by Marcel Sarmiento, the wraparound narrative diverges from the formula of previous installments by chronicling an erratic police chase in Los Angeles through a mix of traffic cams, cell phones, and police recordings. This chaotic blend creates confusion over a cogent storyline but serves as a frantic backdrop for the intertwined tales.

"Dante the Great," directed by Gregg Bishop, combines faux documentary elements with the story of a trailer-park magician who attains sinister powers from a cloak allegedly owned by Harry Houdini. The segment boasts clever effects and entertains with a final showdown between the protagonist and his assistant, who uncovers his dark secret. "Parallel Monsters" by Nacho Vigalondo stands out as the strongest short, exploring the story of a scientist who builds a portal to a parallel dimension. Upon swapping places with his doppelganger, he discovers horrifying differences. The narrative's unsettling and bizarre twists are executed effectively, supported by strong performances and chilling sequences.

Conversely, "Bonestorm," by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson, is the least impressive segment. It follows two skateboarders documenting their stunts in Tijuana, inadvertently stumbling upon a demonic cult. Although it transforms into an action-packed, first-person shooter style battle against zombies using Go-Pro cameras, it lacks the narrative depth and scares found in the other segments. Despite its weaknesses, "V/H/S: Viral" offers noteworthy moments sure to captivate fans of the series.

"V/H/S: Viral" is a mixed bag that leans heavily on the found-footage gimmick, which has become the signature style for the V/H/S series. The film attempts to string together multiple short stories through a wraparound narrative, but this frequently detracts from rather than enhances the viewing experience. Individual segments vary widely in quality, with only about half truly delivering memorable horror moments. Notably, the technical aspects—video and audio—are well-executed, remaining true to both the source material and the notorious handheld style. Extras included in this Blu-ray edition add value, especially for fans invested in delving deeper into behind-the-scenes content.

Despite this, "V/H/S: Viral" is arguably the weakest installment in the series. The film struggles to recapture the authentic scares and adrenaline-pumping thrills that characterized its predecessors. The segments feel disparate and, at times, lack cohesion, diluting the overall impact. However, it does possess a handful of standout moments that may appeal to franchise enthusiasts. For completists and hardcore fans of the series, adding this Blu-ray to their collection is a no-brainer.

Given the reliable ROI (return on investment) of cheap horror films, it's probably too much to hope that the V/H/S series has come to an end. There are too many aspiring horror film directors who will spend night after sleepless night trying to stretch a minuscule budget into something memorable, too many starving actors seeking exposure, and too many aspiring crew members looking to burnish their credentials. After "V/H/S: Viral," however, producers Miska and Binkow would be well advised to abandon wraparound stories and simply try to produce the best anthology of shorts possible. Found footage is the common theme for the V/H/S series, just as death and the alphabet link the chapters of the ABCs series. Anything more elaborate quickly becomes a distraction. Since only about half of "V/H/S: Viral" is worth your time, the choice is up to you.