V/H/S Viral Blu-ray Review
Score: 65
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
V/H/S: Viral's mixed quality, while featuring solid video and audio presentations, makes it a lukewarm addition to the series, worth considering for dedicated fans.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 73
V/H/S: Viral's 1080p Blu-ray presents variable picture quality dictated by its found footage concept, with images ranging from sharp to intentionally murky across different camera types—security cams, GoPros, VHS, and digital—yet maintains good color saturation and deep black levels, reflecting accurate digital mastering and an average bitrate of 25.001 Mbps.
Audio: 70
V/H/S: Viral's Blu-ray audio, encoded in lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1, expertly blends engineered sound effects with intentional imperfections like pops and muffled voices to enhance the found footage realism. Despite occasional clarity issues, the surround effects and LFE deliver a dynamic and immersive experience.
Extra: 68
The 'V/H/S: Viral' Blu-ray extras offer a mixture of intriguing commentary and detailed behind-the-scenes featurettes, despite some polarizing content like Todd Lincoln's abstract 'Gorgeous Vortex'. Highlights include directors' discussions on the evolution of found footage, in-depth effects breakdowns in 'Dante the Great,' and engaging stunt and makeup insights in 'Bonestorm'.
Movie: 58
V/H/S Viral, the third installment of the series, delivers frenetic but uneven segments with 'Parallel Monsters' standing out for its inventive horror; however, the incoherent wraparound and muddled narrative detract from its overall impact despite some clever effects and intense action scenes.
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Video: 73
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.
Audio: 70
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.
Extra: 68
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.
Movie: 58
"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.
Total: 65
"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.
Blu-ray.com review by Michael ReubenRead review here
Video: 80
In individual sequences with good light and without artificially induced distortion, the image is generally detailed, sharp and colorful, albeit with varying densities and black levels, depending on the...
Audio: 70
The flames and other effects during the magic act in "Dante the Great" have depth and presence far beyond what a camcorder would capture, and the intensity of the SWAT team's weapons' fire would be right...
Extras: 60
Commentary with Directors Marcel Sarmiento, Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, Nacho Vigalondo, Gregg Bishop & Actor Shane Brady (misspelled on the disc menu as "Bradey"): Like many group commentaries, this...
Movie: 40
Keeping the audience off-balance is a venerable device in the horror director's bag of tricks, but it has to be used for a purpose (as, for example, Hitchcock did with a certain Mrs. Bates in Psycho)....
Total: 50
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....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
But that's never the fault of the transfer, but rather this is how the movie is supposed to look or how the filmmakers edited the film to appear with its warts and all....
Audio: 80
Dialogue isn't always crystal clear and sometimes it's difficult to hear what the characters are saying, due to the environmental elements surrounding the image or the camera cutting in and out....
Extras: 80
- This is fun behind the scenes of this particular short film that looks at the visual and makeup effects, on set footage, editing, fight choreography, and interviews....
Movie: 60
This time around, there are only three segments with a wrap around storyline, and instead of the whole VHS angle, this is more about things being filmed with a mobile phone and being uploaded to the internet,...
Total: 80
That's not to say this one is without its merits, but it's just my least favorite of the three....
Director: Justin Benson, Gregg Bishop, Todd Lincoln
Actors: Patrick Lawrie, Emilia Ares, Celia K. Milius
PlotA series of interconnected, found-footage segments weave a nightmarish narrative centered around an unsettling compilation of mysterious video tapes. The framing story follows a young man named Kevin who, driven by a desire for fame, begins documenting his life to capture something viral-worthy. Amid his pursuit, a series of bizarre and violent events unfold when he becomes obsessed with the viral videos circulating on the dark web. As Kevin delves deeper into the unsettling footage, a sinister presence begins to distort his sense of reality, threatening to consume everything he holds dear.
Meanwhile, three distinct short films intertwine with Kevin's story, each depicting various characters encountering supernatural or malevolent phenomena via vintage VHS tapes. One follows a magician who gains dark powers from an enchanted cloak, leading to a series of deadly consequences. Another documents a time-travel experiment that disrupts reality, resulting in disastrous alternate dimensions. The final segment captures a group of teenagers unwittingly awakening an ancient entity during their attempt to create a prank viral video. With horrific events escalating and timelines intertwining, the boundary between the digital world and the supernatural realm blurs perilously.
Writers: T.J. Cimfel, David White, Marcel Sarmiento
Release Date: 23 Oct 2014
Runtime: 81 min
Rating: R
Country: United States, Spain
Language: English, Spanish