Dead Alive Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Dead Alive," featuring an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, lacks the visual precision one might hope for. Comparing it to Peter Jackson's mega-budget "Lord of the Rings" series, this transfer clearly demonstrates limited resources. The image often appears grainy and soft, with substandard color fidelity and a milky overall quality that detracts from contrast robustness. Although some close-ups reveal commendable fine detail, this is sporadic and usually overshadowed by pervasive softness. Particularly troublesome is the mosquito noise affecting various sequences, notably the night-time graveyard fight scene.

Despite these issues, there are glimpses of improvement in resolution and fine detail over previous DVD releases. Elements such as Grandma's wrinkled face or the clarity in broad daylight scenes, like the zombie baby sequence in the park, exhibit enhanced definition. Colors show the most significant improvement, with a noticeable boost in saturation, particularly in reds and greens, without appearing overly artificial. However, the source appears dated, possibly the same master used for earlier DVD versions, indicating the necessity for a full remaster and touchup to elevate the visual quality further.

Black levels present another area of inconsistency; sometimes they are accurate, yet other times they are murky, resulting in obscured shadow details. White specks and dirt persist throughout, especially during night scenes where noise becomes apparent. Although contrast has improved slightly, its brightness adjustment thankfully does not cause significant image damage. Fans will appreciate the improvements in clarity and gore visibility, but it’s clear that “Dead Alive” would benefit significantly from a dedicated remaster to address these lingering deficiencies.

The audio presentation of the "Dead Alive" Blu-ray disc showcases a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that, while functional, leaves much to be desired in terms of dynamism and immersion. Peter Dasent's intentionally cheesy piano and synth score is well-preserved, offering a nostalgic nod to Peter Jackson’s early films, but the track’s overall narrowness is apparent. Sound effects, particularly the gooey and aggressive ones, are crisp and clear, providing some raucous moments that align with the film's over-the-top nature. However, despite excellent fidelity, the mix oscillates between extremes of quietness and outright loudness, missing a middle ground that could have offered richer auditory engagement.

Presented in stereo, the mix's spread across the soundstage is even, ensuring every line of dialogue and scream is audible without distortion. Yet, the flatness of the dynamic range results in a lifeless soundstage where differentiation between frequencies is minimal. This lack of excitement undermines the film’s cartoonish vitality and gory action sequences. Despite brief moments of lighter bass during intense scenes like the lawnmower massacre and house fire toward the end, the overall presentation remains somewhat unengaging. While this lossless track isn't terrible, it certainly lacks the vibrant fullness and directional movement that a modern surround mix could have provided.

The Blu-Ray rendition of "Dead Alive" includes a modest selection of extras that, while limited, are essential for enthusiasts of this cult classic. The available supplemental content is succinct yet effective, providing a nostalgic revisit to the film's original promotional material. These extras are presented in high-definition quality, enhancing the nostalgia factor for long-time fans while attracting new viewers with crisp visuals.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: High-definition presentation of the original trailer for "Dead Alive".
• Series of Trailers: Includes the same series of trailers seen at the film's beginning, all in HD quality.

Peter Jackson's early cult classic, "Dead Alive" (known internationally as "Braindead"), offers a wildly comic splatterfest situated in 1950s New Zealand. The narrative showcases Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy Balme), a downtrodden young man whose life is controlled by his domineering mother (Elizabeth Moody). The plot catapults into chaos after a Sumatran Rat Monkey, an absurd creation akin to something from Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion work, bites Mrs. Cosgrove, triggering her transformation into a grotesque zombie. As her rampage spreads zombification, Lionel and his love interest, Paquita (Diana Peñalver), face a cascading series of outlandish yet gruesome events fueled by Jackson's offbeat humor and practical visual effects.

Jackson’s knack for extremity is evident through the film's continuous shower of gory scenes, which often tread into sheer ridiculousness designed to provoke both laughter and revulsion. Key set pieces like Mrs. Cosgrove's grotesque degeneration and the infamous lawnmower finale, punctuate the film with ultra-violent comic energy. It's an early career testament to Jackson's inventive style, blending practical effects ingenuity with narrative irreverence. Despite the film's admittedly amateurish underpinnings, such as inconsistent acting and overextended slapstick moments, "Dead Alive" stands as a bold exhibit of Jackson's formative creative prowess.

The Blu-ray release perpetuates the essence of this splatter milestone, although it retains the 97-minute U.S. cut rather than the 104-minute international version. The preservation of near-complete original content allows viewers to experience Jackson's unique blend of dark humor and horror chaos almost entirely intact. For those acquainted with the toned-down works of "The Frighteners" or "The Lord of the Rings," "Dead Alive" serves as a fascinating glimpse into Jackson's raw filmic beginnings, characterized by sheer audacity and viscera-laden spectacle.

"Dead Alive," Peter Jackson's third feature film, is a cult classic celebrated for its extreme gore, comedic elements, and absurdity. From the outset, Jackson's penchant for the grotesque and a darkly humorous narrative is evident. The film's slapstick horror blends stomach-churning visuals and laugh-inducing moments, appealing to those with a twisted sense of humor. Yet, it's essential to acknowledge that the outrageous nature of this film won't cater to everyone's taste, particularly those seeking more conventional horror or comedy.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray release of "Dead Alive" presents mixed results. While the image quality is a noticeable improvement over previous versions, it still suffers from the limitations inherent to its low-budget source material. The video transfer does not entirely meet the high expectations set for modern Blu-ray releases, showcasing some grain and softness in various scenes. Additionally, the audio presentation is competent but rather unremarkable, failing to deliver a significantly enriched viewing experience. More critically, this release is scant on special features; the absence of a commentary track from Jackson himself is particularly disappointing for fans and collectors alike.

In conclusion, "Dead Alive" is an essential piece for Peter Jackson enthusiasts and those interested in the evolution of his directing style. Although the Blu-ray version comes with notable technical and supplemental shortcomings, the film's inherent charm and level of audacious gore make it worthy of consideration. It's recommended primarily for completists and those who can appreciate its unique, blood-soaked humor.