Tusk Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Tusk" by Lionsgate Films showcases an exceptional AVC encoded 1080p transfer, maintaining a professional and engaging visual standard throughout. Shot digitally with the Arri Alexa and Red One cameras, the film achieves a striking balance between clarity and artistic nuance. The transfer effectively highlights the variances in tone, especially notable when transitioning from the everyday settings to Howard Howe's mansion, where a Gothic atmosphere is introduced. Black levels and contrast are predominantly strong and consistent, though a few interior shots within the mansion exhibit minor shadow detail issues, causing some scenes to appear slightly muddier. Nonetheless, the varied palette and fine detail are exemplary, contributing to a robust high-definition experience.

Clarity and detail stand out significantly in this Blu-ray release. Facial details, like Justin Long’s mustache and the intricately designed walrus suit, come through with remarkable sharpness, offering an impressive level of realism and immersion. Outdoor shots possess a vivid, almost surreal quality, enhancing the film's atmospheric presence. The characters consistently exhibit a three-dimensional pop, bolstering spatial dimensionality even in confined spaces. Skin tones are natural and pleasing, with color reproduction being bright, distinct, and authentic across various settings. Notably, scenes in the podcast studio and the Canadian convenience store stand out for their exceptional high-definition presentation.

From a technical standpoint, the transfer is free from common issues such as banding, artifacting, or noise. Overall, the Blu-ray of "Tusk" demonstrates outstanding video quality that supports and enhances its unique narrative through precise and vibrant visual representation. Each element—be it depth, color reproduction, or fine detail—has been finely tuned to deliver an aesthetically pleasing and technically superior viewing experience.

The Blu-ray of "Tusk" features a robust sound experience through its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which excellently captures the eerie and haunting score composed by Christopher Drake. This track delivers a strong presence with clean, well-balanced dialogue, prioritizing clarity without any hissing, popping, or dropouts. Dialogue emerges crisply from the front speakers with an impressive fidelity that ensures every spoken word is intelligible and sharp. The ambient sounds and effects, though occasionally sparse in terms of directionality and imaging, do their job in maintaining the production's overall atmospheric tension.

While not as immersive or dynamic as some high-octane action films, the soundtrack's focus on mood and ambient noises is perfect for a horror film like "Tusk." The low-frequency extension subtly accentuates the film’s eerie vibes, engaging the LFE channel primarily to underscore the tension rather than dominate the scenes with booming bass. The surround channels are primarily tasked with adding depth to the score, which serves as the highlight of the audio experience rather than action sequences or background noises.

Overall, "Tusk's" DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track may not offer the full breadth of directional audio experiences expected from more action-oriented blockbusters, but it delivers superb audio clarity and an immersive score that suits its genre. Subtitles are available in English SDH, English, and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience.

The Blu-ray release of "Tusk" offers an extensive collection of bonus features that provide valuable insights into the film’s production and Kevin Smith's career. The included audio commentary finds Smith in a reflective mood as he dives deep into the genesis of the film, focusing more on the conceptual aspects than the filmmaking process itself. The standout featurette, "20 Years to Tusk," delivers an engaging retrospective of Smith’s two-decade journey in filmmaking, punctuated with candid anecdotes. The comprehensive "Making of Tusk" series is segmented into 14 mini-featurettes detailing everything from pre-production to on-set activities and production design. Additionally, the original podcast "SModcast #259: The Walrus and The Carpenter" that inspired the film is available as an audio supplement. This plethora of extras serves as an educational treasure trove for aspiring filmmakers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Kevin Smith: Engaging commentary focusing on concept genesis.
• 20 Years to Tusk: Career retrospective featurette with Kevin Smith.
• Main Story: Fun animation segment.
• Pre-Production: Pre-production insights.
• Director Down: Detailing Smith’s on-set accident.
• Filming (Take 1-6): Various stages of filming detailed in separate featurettes.
• Production Design: Focus on John D. Kretschmer's design efforts.
• From Pod to Screen: Online component that sparked the story.
• Flying with Mewes: Jason Mewes on site at an abandoned Olympic Village.
• Meet the Crew: Introducing below-the-line talent.
• Wallace the Walrus: Exploring the rubber walrus suit.
• SModcast #259: The Walrus and The Carpenter: Original podcast audio supplement.
• Deleted Scenes: With introductions by Kevin Smith, including "Halifax Explosion" and "Duplessis Orphan."

Kevin Smith's "Tusk" is an intriguing foray into horror that elicits both fascination and bewilderment. Born from a bizarre internet ad discussed on Smith's SModcast, the film showcases the quirky transformation of Wallace Bryton (Justin Long), a podcaster who finds himself prey to a madman's (Michael Parks) obsession with walruses. The narrative is heavily influenced by Kafkaesque elements, particularly "The Metamorphosis," but Smith opts for an almost grotesque take involving modern horror tropes. Despite the intensely weird premise, Parks' performance stands out, giving his character a chillingly composed menace that heightens the disturbing atmosphere of the movie.

Structurally, "Tusk" suffers from a lack of cohesive tone, attempting to balance horror and comedy without fully committing to either. This approach results in a film that struggles to be truly scary or consistently funny. While the transformation scenes —which echo body horror classics— are meant to be horrifying, the walrus suit design becomes unintentionally laughable. Moreover, the second half of the film introduces Guy Lapointe (Johnny Depp) in an over-the-top, comedic role that jars with the initial horror setup, further detracting from any sustained tension or fright.

Ultimately, while "Tusk" contains memorable performances, particularly from Parks and Long, it falls short in its execution due to an incoherent blend of genres and misplaced comedic elements. The film attempts to build on modern horror conventions but lacks the necessary momentum and consistency to deliver genuine scares or engaging comedy. For viewers, its value lies more in its curiosity and unique concept rather than as a compelling horror piece. Smith's peculiar sense of humor flickers throughout but never quite aligns with his ambition to create a seamless and impactful horror experience.

"Tusk" on Blu-ray is a polarizing film that pushes the boundaries of conventional cinema, diverging significantly from typical genres. At its core, "Tusk" straddles the line between horror and absurdity, providing a uniquely bizarre narrative that is both unsettling and strangely compelling. Michael Parks delivers an exceptional performance, immersing himself in a role that demands a blend of charisma and madness. His portrayal stands as the cornerstone of the film, overshadowing the sometimes chaotic narrative and sporadic tonal shifts. The film's peculiarity and the mixed elements may resonate unevenly with audiences, rendering it more effective in discussion or theoretical conversation than as a cohesive cinematic experience.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray release of "Tusk" excels in presentation. The audio-visual quality is top-notch, ensuring that even the most minute details of the macabre transformation are vividly displayed. Furthermore, the supplemental extras included in this Blu-ray package provide substantial value, offering in-depth insights into Kevin Smith's unconventional creative process. These extras significantly enhance the overall viewing experience, potentially cultivating a newfound appreciation for the film among viewers who initially dismissed it.

In conclusion, "Tusk" is a distinctive entry in Kevin Smith's filmography that defies easy classification. While it may not appeal to all audiences, its excellent Blu-ray presentation and comprehensive extras make it a worthwhile addition for those intrigued by Smith's work or interested in something offbeat. Parks' memorable performance and the sheer audacity of the storyline make it a noteworthy film for discussion, if not for pure enjoyment. For fans seeking something completely different or those curious about Smith's distinct cinematic voice, "Tusk" comes recommended. He is the walrus, goo-goo-ga-joob.