Tigers Are Not Afraid Blu-ray Review

"Tigers Are Not Afraid" arrives on Blu-ray with an impressively detailed 2.39:1 1080p transfer, presenting a visually engaging experience. Digitally shot, the film maintains a gritty, real-to-life aesthetic, capturing facial features and the rough environments with superb clarity and detail. Encoded in MPEG-4 AVC, the presentation is free from unnatural post-production alterations, boasting steady contrast and sharpness levels. Daytime scenes and close-ups look particularly striking, with even color saturation and natural flesh tones, though occasional blooming and noise suggest possible intentional stylistic choices or source material limitations.

Black levels play a significant role, as much of the film unfolds at night or in dimly lit settings. The transfer achieves deep, inky blacks with sufficient shadow detail to lend depth and dimension to these darker sequences. While there are minor instances of compression artifacts and light banding on sharp gradients, these blemishes are within the tolerances of the format and do not detract from the overall quality. Visual effects generally blend seamlessly, though a specific computer-generated snake stands out as unconvincing.

The color palette is rich and vibrant, especially during scenes that delve into the fantasy realm, where the saturated hues lend an almost otherworldly quality. Flesh tones are depicted with striking accuracy, aided by exceptional makeup work that enhances the appearance of malnourished and bruised children. Throughout, the Blu-ray exhibits minimal aliasing, excessive noise reduction, or other notable issues, making it a largely excellent presentation that hints at the potential for an even more impressive 4K release in the future.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Tigers Are Not Afraid" features a superb DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, presented in its original Spanish, which is unequivocally the preferred option. This lossless track is distinguished by its excellent dynamic range and remarkable clarity, particularly evident in the consistently clean and clear dialogue anchored in the center channel. The soundscape is masterfully mixed, providing an immersive surround experience without being conspicuous. Key sound effects, such as the eerie voices of the ghosts, exhibit superb object placement, contributing significantly to the film's atmospheric tension. The musical score by Vince Pope elegantly enhances the mood and tension without overshadowing other elements. Surround channels excel in creating a three-dimensional auditory experience, especially during the film's more supernatural scenes and action-packed sequences.

Optional English (SDH), Spanish, and French subtitles ensure accessibility during the main feature and key extras. The low-frequency effects channel (LFE) delivers substantial rumble and bass during moments of peril, particularly those involving enclosed spaces and supernatural occurrences, further enriching the audio experience. Remarkably, spatial effects were utilized to create a vivid sonic landscape that drew viewers into the perilous world of the children. Dialogue reproduction remains pristine throughout, offering a clear and engaging auditory narrative in Spanish. The alternative English DTS-HD MA 2.0 track is noticeably inferior, with flat and lifeless dubbed voices, lacking the surround spatialization, underscoring why the original Spanish track is indispensable.

"Tigers Are Not Afraid" Blu Ray offers an impressive suite of extras that enriches the viewing experience with comprehensive behind-the-scenes content and insightful discussions. The audio commentary by director Issa López provides a detailed narrative on the film's creation, complemented by an extensive making-of featurette that includes perspectives from the director, producer, and cast. An in-depth interview at TIFF between López and Guillermo del Toro stands out, providing an engaging discussion on a range of topics pertinent to the film. Other notable inclusions are casting sessions for the main child actors, deleted scenes, and various photo galleries.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring director Issa López.
• The Making of Tigers are Not Afraid: Behind-the-scenes with director and cast.
• TIFF Interview with Guillermo del Toro and Issa López: Comprehensive discussion from Toronto International Film Festival.
• Casting Sessions: Auditions for the five main children.
• Deleted Scenes: Short sequences removed from the final cut.
• Photo Galleries: Concept art, graffiti art, and behind-the-scenes stills.

"Tigers Are Not Afraid" is a potent fusion of haunting realism and fantastical elements, vividly brought to life through the lens of Issa López. This Mexican film, released in 2017 and only now finding its Blu-ray release, has garnered significant praise from cinephiles and critics alike, notably championed by Guillermo del Toro. It mirrors the heavy, fairy-tale inspired storytelling seen in del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" and "The Devil's Backbone," blending dark fantasy with the grim realities of a drug war-torn city.

At its heart, the story centers around Estrella (Paola Lara), a young girl armed with three wishes, who must navigate a brutal world filled with crime and supernatural occurrences. Upon losing her mother, she joins a group of orphaned boys led by Shine (Juan Ramón López), whose lives are marked by their ceaseless struggle for survival under the shadow of powerful criminal elements. The narrative is not merely a horror story; it's a layered exploration of human trafficking, drug violence, and the loss of innocence, elevated by López's deft storytelling that balances reality and fantasy seamlessly.

The film's audiovisual prowess further amplifies its harrowing yet captivating atmosphere. Set within dilapidated urban landscapes, its visual effects add a unique, organic layer that entwines with the plot rather than overshadowing it. The ghosts haunting Estrella and her friends are skillfully crafted to add palpable tension without dominating the narrative, adhering to established supernatural rules. Although "Tigers Are Not Afraid" emanates influences from earlier works, it stands out through its compelling child performances and gripping direction. This Blu-ray release shines with high-quality A/V presentation and insightful bonus features, providing an enriching experience for viewers.

Issa López's "Tigers Are Not Afraid" is a compelling film, blending elements of drama and psychological horror into a poignant story that captures the harrowing realities of life amidst Mexico's drug wars. With inspiration from the likes of Stephen King and Guillermo del Toro, the narrative combines real-world horrors with a gothic fairy tale atmosphere, effectively drawing viewers into its unique world. The child performances are exceptional, adding depth to the storyline and enhancing the emotional impact. The film’s brisk 83-minute runtime ensures that it remains engaging without becoming overly oppressive.

RLJ Entertainment and Shudder have delivered an excellent Blu-ray release for "Tigers Are Not Afraid," featuring a beautifully crafted two-disc Steelbook set. The video transfer boasts impressive clarity and detail, perfectly capturing the film's atmospheric visuals. The audio mix stands out with reference-quality sound that immerses the viewer into the film's intense and haunting landscape. Additionally, the Blu-ray comes loaded with thoughtful bonus features that provide deeper insights into the film's production and themes, making it a well-rounded package.

In conclusion, Issa López's "Tigers Are Not Afraid" may appear unconventional at first, but it masterfully weaves drama and psychological horror into a compelling narrative, particularly for fans of Stephen King or Guillermo del Toro. While it could have benefited from taking bigger risks, the excellent child performances, compelling story, and effective VFX make it time well spent. RLJ Entertainment's well-rounded Blu-ray edition offers substantial support with its solid A/V presentation, enriching extras, and attractive Steelbook packaging. It’s a rewarding blind buy for those who appreciated films like "Pan's Labyrinth" and "City of God." Recommended.