Razorback Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Razorback" by Shout Factory utilizes the 2018 4K restoration from Umbrella Entertainment, providing a visually engaging presentation. The AVC encoded video with a 2.38:1 aspect ratio effectively captures the film's extreme lighting choices and vibrant color palette, which enhance the atmospheric tension and vast outback setting. Colors maintain their intensity, with daylight scenes featuring a reddish/orange hue and nocturnal moments drenched in blue, aligning well with the film's eerie thematic elements. Skin tones are as natural as the director's artistic choices allow, maintaining integrity under often harsh lighting conditions. The presentation successfully retains fine details such as battered skin textures and various environmental decays, creating an immersive visual experience.

Shot on 35mm with Panavision Panaflex Gold cameras and Panavision C- and E-Series lenses, "Razorback" benefits from its photochemical finish, adding a rich organic quality to the visuals. While the Scream Factory Blu-ray shares much with Umbrella's release, it offers an enhanced bitrate averaging 32 to 35Mbps—delivering steadier imagery and better rendering of intricate hues like bold blues, reds, and browns, alongside warmer flesh tones. The film's blacks are notably deep, though sometimes approaching slight crush levels, yet they contribute to a satisfying depth in contrast. Grain structure is well-resolved; however, opening titles appear slightly less refined, hinting at lower resolution sourcing for those elements. Overall, the presentation stands out with a stable frame and minimal signs of source wear, providing a commendable visual experience.

The audio presentation of "Razorback" on the Blu-ray disc offers a robust and immersive experience, primarily through the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. This mix delivers an aggressive and dynamic soundstage that intensifies the film's engaging atmosphere. The surround sound structure is compelling, with strong imaging, frequent panning, and noticeable ambient activity. Dialogue clarity is maintained without compromise, contributing to an unimpeded narrative flow. The score and the unique sound effects, particularly the boar's sounds, benefit from a substantial low-end presence, enhancing the overall auditory impact of the film.

Also included is a 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix, which could potentially represent the original theatrical mix, though this is not specified on the disc. While this track is less forceful compared to the 5.1 offering, it remains functionally clear and provides decent support for dialogue and instrumentation. Volume adjustments may be necessary to achieve optimal listening levels, but intelligibility is not notably affected.

The inclusion of a 2.0 Mono track also in DTS-HD Master Audio format, though perhaps less essential in the presence of a much more encapsulating surround experience, delivers a quaint nostalgia tied to its origins in Dolby Stereo. However, it lacks the dynamic and satisfying nature of the broader 5.1 track. Optional English SDH subtitles are available for accessibility, offering further user flexibility and ensuring all audience members enjoy the film's rich auditory landscape.

The Blu Ray of "Razorback" offers a robust assortment of special features that cater to both new viewers and die-hard fans of the film. The disc includes two insightful audio commentaries: one features director Russell Mulcahy providing an in-depth exploration alongside Shayne Armstrong, while the other showcases film historians Lee Gambin and Jarret Gahan delivering a comprehensive analysis with special attention to eco-horror influences and career highlights of the cast and crew. Mark Hartley's documentary, "Jaws on Trotters," revisits the making of the film with key cast and crew interviews. The set also presents a comprehensive image gallery and an Australian VHS version containing rare deleted scenes. Additional extras include a theatrical trailer and engaging discussions with film critics.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary #1: Director Russell Mulcahy offers insights with Shayne Armstrong.
• Commentary #2: Historians Lee Gambin and Jarret Gahan provide in-depth analysis.
• VHS Version: Original version with deleted scenes restored.
• Jaws on Trotters: In-depth making-of documentary.
• Audio Interview: Actor Gregory Harrison discusses his experience.
• Interview: Critics discuss the film's impact.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes optional commentary by Mulcahy.
• Image Gallery: Collection of visual content from the film's marketing and production.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official trailer from the film’s release.
• VHS Trailer: Promotional footage for the VHS release.

"Razorback," directed by Russell Mulcahy, marks his bold transition from music videos to feature films, making an unforgettable directorial statement with this 1984 Australian horror movie. Adapted from Peter Brennen's novel, it ambitiously aims to emulate the suspense of "Jaws" using a monstrous boar as its eponymous antagonist. Mulcahy, known for his visually striking style, applies his signature sweeping camerawork and striking lighting to create a visually arresting film. Dean Semler's cinematography further enhances the film's aesthetic, employing color extremes and smoke-filled scenes to craft an evocative portrayal of outback landscapes and beastly nightmares. However, this strong visual penchant sometimes overshadows storytelling essentials, particularly in delivering suspense and character depth, pointing to the gap between style and narrative substance.

The screenplay by Everette De Roche introduces gripping storylines involving Beth (Judy Morris), a journalist investigating local wildlife atrocities for PetPak, a food processing company with dark secrets. Her tragic encounter with the titular Razorback propels her husband Carl (Gregory Harrison) into a labyrinth of danger and vengeance in the Australian outback. Juxtaposed is Jake's (Bill Kerr) heart-wrenching struggle against wrongful accusations after the beast kills his grandson, offering a poignant but underexplored narrative thread. While these storylines are intriguing, they remain underdeveloped, with characters like Carl becoming conduits for Mulcahy’s stylistic showcase rather than fully fleshed protagonists.

"Razorback" differentiates itself from expected monster movie tropes by discarding conventional narrative arcs for an artistic vision that challenges audience expectations. Although this approach provides a refreshing perspective, it leaves much to be desired in terms of storytelling cohesion and suspense. The film offers exciting visual escapism with its technical prowess yet struggles to maintain an engaging balance between narrative drive and cinematic flair, underscoring Mulcahy's search for equilibrium between spectacle and story.

"Razorback" delivers on the promise of intense creature-feature thrills, albeit with a debatable amount of actual terror from its central menace, the giant boar. The film skillfully uses puppetry and robotics to breathe life into the destructive Razorback, which inflicts significant property damage on its rampage. However, the narrative tends to lose momentum as it shifts focus from the havoc-wreaking beast to the unsettling local characters embroiled in their subplots. Director Russell Mulcahy's penchant for vivid, music video-style visuals at times overshadows the storytelling, creating a flashiness that detracts from the potential horror impact.

The Blu-ray release by Scream Factory successfully capitalizes on the film's cult status, providing a visual upgrade through a slightly higher encode. While some extras are absent, the package remains satisfying for collectors and fans alike. This release underscores Mulcahy's reputation for crafting visually arresting cinema, expanding the appeal of "Razorback" beyond its initial box office disappointment to a celebrated niche classic among aficionados of stylish horror.

In conclusion, "Razorback" on Blu-ray serves as both a testament to Mulcahy's unique directorial flair and an enhancement of its already impressive cult status. For those who favor stunning cinematography over linear storytelling in creature features, this release is a commendable addition to any collection. Despite its flaws, "Razorback" continues to intrigue viewers with its bold aesthetics and distinctive narrative approach.