The Mist Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Mist" offers both color and black & white versions of the film, each presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with MPEG-4 encoding. The transition from SD DVD to 1080p in this Blu-ray edition unlocks a new level of detail and clarity for the viewers, offering a more immersive experience regardless of the version watched. The color presentation boasts enhanced saturation, where primaries like reds and greens stand out more vividly, lending the movie a somewhat comic-book aesthetic. This stylization is consistent, from the brighter sheen on objects to the artificially boosted appearance of flames and blood, contributing to the film's unique visual tone. However, this enhancement leads to slightly unrealistic skin tones and occasionally overdriven whites due to boosted contrast, which can make brighter scenes appear excessively dynamic.

The black & white version, residing on a BD-25 single-sided disc, displays an electric-vintage appeal that enriches the film's aesthetic and atmospheric tension. Frank Darabont's preferred cut, it showcases a spectral quality to the mist, with whites bleeding from the screen, creating an electrified look that significantly boosts the film's mood. The elimination of color enhances detail, rendering faces, textures, and the mist's ominous presence with greater precision and depth. This version's meticulous contrast levels unveil finer gradations within the mist itself, allowing for a more textured and nuanced representation. While some grain and artifacting are more noticeable in this rendition, they do not detract from the overall viewing experience as they add to the film's cinematic quality. Though both versions have their merits, with the color edition presenting certain visual exaggerations and the B/W version offering a cleaner, more atmospheric experience, each brings out different aspects of "The Mist" that could cater to varied viewer preferences.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack provided with "The Mist" Blu-ray delivers an atmospheric and enhancing auditory experience, yet comes with its handful of setbacks that slightly mar its overall impact. The film opens with a thunderstorm that effectively sets a tense tone, enveloping the listener with sound. Initial scenes feature substantial bass from the subwoofer as a tree crashes through a window, promising an engaging audio journey. However, the track’s handling of dynamic ranges, especially in action-heavy sequences involving gunshots and monster attacks, tends to falter, lacking the expected bombastic and immersive quality. Dialogue occasionally presents as uneven and somewhat processed, detracting from what is otherwise a clean and distinct vocal reproduction, especially noticeable through the center channel speaker.

Despite these inconsistencies, the soundtrack excels in creating a palpable atmosphere, particularly through Mark Isham's eerie score and the strategic use of surround sound during creature encounters, which adds layers to the film’s setting. The ambience becomes notably immersive during scenes of turmoil within the grocery store, with well-defined low-frequency effects that capably shake the room. The front soundstage enjoys a commendable separation that keeps the action cogent, yet at times, the reliance on frontal channels detracts from potentially deeper surround sound engagements.

Noteworthy are the sequences where surround channels come alive with the buzzing of menacing insects and directional effects that add an extra dimension to the chaos. Nonetheless, these positive aspects are slightly shadowed by the soundtrack's inability to consistently deliver depth and dimension across all action sequences. The design excels in ambient creation and has moments of excellent clarity and dynamics throughout its eerie score and environmental sounds, establishing an engaging yet imperfect auditory experience for "The Mist."

The Blu-ray release of "The Mist" offers a compelling collection of extras that dive deep into the filmmaking process, with all features presented in stunning 1080p. Key highlights include a deeply engaging audio commentary by writer/director Frank Darabont, who shares his passion and rationale behind adapting Stephen King's novella, including the much-discussed, divergent ending. The disc boasts a comprehensive documentary, "When Darkness Came: The Making of The Mist," enriched with behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews, providing an in-depth look at the movie's creation. Notably, featurettes like "Taming the Beast: The Making of Scene 35" and "Monsters Among Us: A Look at the Creature FX" illustrate the intricate work in special effects and creature design, showcasing the blend of practical and CGI techniques. Further adding to the disc's value are segments celebrating the artistry of poster designer Drew Struzan and several deleted scenes with optional director commentary, offering insights into the editing process. Despite some redundancy across features and a less impactful interview between Darabont and King, this Blu-ray is an exemplary model of how extras can enrich the viewing experience, making it a must-have for fans of the film and cinephiles interested in the nuts and bolts of genre filmmaking.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio commentary with Director/Writer Frank Darabont
• 8 Deleted and extended scenes with optional director commentary
• A conversation with Director Frank Darabont and author Stephen King
• When darkness came: The making of The Mist
• Taming the beast: The making of scene 35
• Monsters among us: A look at the creature FX
• The horror of it all: The visual FX
• Drew Struzan: An appreciation of an artist
• 3 webisodes hosted by Frank Darabont
• Trailers: Theatrical and 2 teasers

"The Mist," directed by the Academy Award-nominated Frank Darabont and adapted from Stephen King's gripping tale, presents a chilling excursion into horror that surpasses mere shock and awe, diving deep into the human psyche. As a mysterious mist envelops a small New England town, it brings with it not only a cadre of otherworldly horrors but also a much more insidious threat from within the group of locals trapped inside a supermarket. The film excels in portraying the breakdown of societal norms and the eruption of primal fear, underscored by Thomas Jane's earnest portrayal of the everyman hero, David Drayton. Darabont's masterful direction ensures that "The Mist" emerges not just as a tale of monsters lurking in the fog but as a profound commentary on humanity's fragility in the face of the unknown.

Technically, "The Mist" impresses with its transformation from a compact, self-contained story into a visually striking film. Though criticized for its utilization of CGI—which some found lacking—the film's atmosphere, bolstered by exceptional sound quality and an immersive Blu-ray presentation, compensates for any deficiencies in visual effects. Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of a black-and-white version on Blu-ray, adding a nostalgic layer that both harks back to and elevates the horror genre. This version, despite its modern narrative's nastiness, captures a vintage essence that adds a richly textured layer to viewing.

The movie's divisive ending deserves special mention for its bold departure from convention—a hallmark of Darabont's willingness to eschew Hollywood norms for an emotionally potent conclusion that has left audiences and critics alike grappling with its implications. "The Mist" stands as a testament to the power of horror to explore societal and moral dilemmas, making it a must-watch for aficionados of thoughtful, provocative cinema. While it showcases occasional lapses in CGI quality, its strengths in character development, narrative intensity, and thematic depth render it a standout entry in the genre.

The Blu-ray release of "The Mist" presents a fascinating package that showcases an exceptional horror film bolstered by its bold direction and storytelling. Known for its unique blend of genuine tension, coupled with a throwback style reminiscent of classic monster movies, the film stands out in a sea of mediocre horror offerings. Director Frank Darabont's choice to include both color and his preferred black-and-white versions adds a valuable dimension to the viewing experience, allowing audiences to appreciate the movie as initially envisioned. However, while the high-definition presentation of both versions is commendable, the video quality in the color version occasionally disappoints, and the CGI elements notably detract from the overall visual impact. In contrast, the audio quality is strong, delivering effective atmospherics and imaging, though it lacks force in key scenes.

Technical details surrounding the Blu-ray disc itself reveal a dedicated effort to ensure a superior viewing experience. Utilized across an array of high-end equipment such as the JVC DLA-RS1x 1080p High Definition Front Projector and Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray disc Player, the film demonstrates Weinstein's commitment to quality. Despite some shortcomings in video fidelity and CGI execution, the auditory experience is enhanced by premium setups like the Denon AVR 5308CI and Canton Ergo Series speakers, evidencing a thoughtful approach to audio presentation. The inclusion of rich, engaging supplements, particularly the director's commentary, adds depth to the overall package, making it an essential acquisition for fans and a compelling option for newcomers.

In conclusion, "The Mist" Blu-ray offers a mixed yet ultimately rewarding experience that captures the essence of Stephen King's story with its innovative presentation and compelling extras. While certain technical aspects fall short, such as video quality inconsistencies and underwhelming CGI, the overall package—including both color and black-and-white versions—coupled with superior audio quality and enlightening supplements make it a must-have for enthusiasts of the genre. Viewers should approach with an understanding of its flaws but can anticipate a distinctive and immersive horror film experience that distinguishes itself within its category.