Pet Sematary Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Pet Sematary" boasts a well-rounded 1080p transfer that, while not visually groundbreaking, delivers a competent visual experience. Shot using Arri Alexa Mini and Hawk cameras and transferred to a 2K digital intermediate, the film reveals strong color fidelity and intricate detailing in close-ups. This is particularly evident in textures such as the skin tones and clothing, where fine lines and threading are razor-sharp. Laurie Rose’s cinematography enhances the narrative with moderately subdued contrast and a neutral appeal, making the palette appear grayish yet natural. Both brightly lit scenes and dimly lit sequences feature vibrant greens and dead grays with equal clarity, emphasizing the natural atmosphere.

However, the visual presentation does encounter some drawbacks, particularly in low-light interior shots where noticeable digital noise and murkiness prevail. Some scenes, especially after the 27-minute mark where Jud and Louis find Church on the side of the road, appear hazy. Despite these areas of softness, the blacks remain firm and steady, supporting strong shadow details in darker corners. This Blu-ray edition, presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, maintains sharpness throughout most of the runtime with only a few softer sections that could be attributed to the stylistic choices of the filmmakers. The overall image quality remains detailed, featuring consistent fine details on faces and settings, ensuring that background elements such as foliage and wood grain maintain high levels of detail. Red hues, like the blood on Victor’s face, appear vibrant and striking, contributing to the film’s eerie ambiance.

The Dolby Atmos audio presentation on the Blu-ray of "Pet Sematary" is nothing short of exceptional, providing a highly immersive and dynamically rich sonic experience. The track is meticulously balanced, starting subtly but intensifying as it captures pivotal moments. For instance, the horrific truck accident scene arrests attention with powerful bass and enveloping surround usage. The finely tuned surround activity replicates real-world nuances, such as birds chirping in the forest or ghostly whispers, creating a continuous layer of atmospheric sound. Overhead channels are put to efficient use, delivering both discrete effects and ambient noise that heighten the spine-chilling atmosphere. Dialog remains consistently clear and crisp throughout, ensuring each spoken word is well-prioritized in the mix.

Dynamic range and environmental detailing are standout elements of this soundtrack. The first heavy audio experience hits when the family is greeted by an Orinco truck, showcasing crisp clarity and powerful intensity across the stage. The eerie pet funeral procession is enriched by profound depth and low-end push, enhancing the unsettling ambiance. Nighttime woodland scenes benefit from impressive atmospheric effects through enhanced surround and overhead channels, enhancing tension during crucial sequences like Louis and Jud crossing the deadfall. Music integrates seamlessly into the overall mix, providing a well-defined presence, while dialog retains its natural positioning front and center.

Overall, this Dolby Atmos track is a remarkable feature of both the Blu-ray and 4K UHD versions of "Pet Sematary," delivering a deeply immersive auditory experience that matches the film's chilling visual aesthetics. With outstanding clarity, effective use of surround and overhead channels, and pronounced dynamic range, it’s a finely crafted mix worthy of high praise. (Dolby Atmos Audio Rating: 96/100)

The Blu-ray extras for Pet Sematary offer a comprehensive dive into the film's creation, featuring an engaging mix of alternate scenes, character explorations, and in-depth behind-the-scenes content. Detailed featurettes like "Beyond the Deadfall" provide substantial insight into the adaptation process, production design, and thematic elements. The disc includes an alternate ending and various deleted and extended scenes that enhance understanding of character motivations and plot development. Night Terrors segments showcase the haunting visions of primary characters, while "The Tale of Timmy Baterman" presents a chilling narrative directly from the source material. The quality is uniformly presented in high definition, ensuring an immersive experience for avid fans and newcomers alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Ending: Different conclusion offering an alternative take on the film's finale.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Additional content that was cut from the final product.
• Night Terrors – Family Haunting Visions: Short scenes depicting characters' fears.
• The Tale of Timmy Baterman: Story about a boy brought back to life.
• Beyond the Deadfall: Detailed examination of the production process.
  • Chapter One: Resurrection: Directors and cast discuss reviving the classic.
  • Chapter Two: The Final Resting Place: Focus on location scouting and set design.
  • Chapter Three: The Road to Sorrow: Explores thematic elements and pivotal scenes.
  • Chapter Four: Death Comes Home: Insight into the climax and thematic depth.

"Pet Sematary," based on Stephen King's arguably most terrifying work, delves into the darkest themes of mortality and grief. King himself has famously admitted that "Pet Sematary" pushed the boundaries of horror for him, to the point where he feared he had gone too far. The narrative, whether in book or film form, centers around a family's catastrophic attempt to deal with profound loss using supernatural means. This results in a series of events infused with both visceral horror and deep emotional tragedy, particularly because they involve children – a fact that inherently intensifies the audience's discomfort and engagement.

The original 1989 film adaptation closely follows the storyline of King's novel, embodying much of the author's psychological terror. Despite its low-budget feel and occasional hokey performances, such as Fred Gwynne's portrayal of Jud, it remains a beloved classic for its raw, unnerving execution. In contrast, the 2019 remake by directors Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer integrates some new elements while altering key plot points. This version boasts higher production values and strong performances—especially John Lithgow's take on Jud, which is significantly more compelling than Gwynne's—but it sometimes falls short in conveying the same level of psychological horror that distinguished the original.

While the 2019 "Pet Sematary" maintains the macabre atmosphere and tragic narrative, it can sometimes feel more like a generic horror film than a profound psychological exploration. The film's pacing and plot structuring often feel more procedural, aiming to create eerie scenes rather than deeply exploring the characters' emotional landscapes. Despite these shortcomings, it succeeds in delivering tense and grisly moments that align with classic horror paradigms. Ultimately, it is a solid film that pays homage to its source material while offering new twists but may leave ardent fans of King's book longing for the nuanced terror of the original adaptation.

The 2019 adaptation of "Pet Sematary" offers a mixed bag, drifting away from Stephen King's original intent and resulting in a somewhat generic narrative. The film favors traditional horror elements and blood over exploring the profound emotional themes addressed in the book, such as the impact of loss and pain. The performances, especially by John Lithgow, are commendable, although the characters overall lack depth. The Blu-ray release, while not exemplary, presents a solid visual experience with its 2.39:1 AEVC aspect ratio and a strong audio track including Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core). The variety of subtitle options and impressive bonus features enhance its value.

Technically, Paramount has delivered a quality disc. The video transfer is pristine, ensuring high-definition clarity that will satisfy viewers on most setups. The included Atmos soundtrack provides an enveloping audio experience, demonstrating the film’s notable sound design. Although the extras may not be exhaustive, they surpass the often minimalistic inclusions typical of many contemporary releases, adding value to the package for dedicated fans.

In conclusion, "Pet Sematary" (2019) is a solid but unremarkable horror presentation. It diverges from the depth of King’s novel, focusing more on superficial scares rather than mining the psychological horror that made the original work so impactful. Despite this, the Blu-ray edition is technically impressive with strong audio-visual performance and a fair amount of supplemental material. It stands as a decent pick for genre enthusiasts looking for an entertaining night in front of their home theater system. Solid watch.