Needful Things Blu-ray Review

The 1080p HD transfer of "Needful Things" is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and overall, it exhibits commendable strengths and some notable flaws. The colors are consistently vibrant, with particularly strong visuals in the vision sequences experienced by Gaunt's customers. Detail remains vivid and sharp, with closeups revealing individual hairs, beads of sweat, and fine textures clearly. Even wider shots retain their integrity without appearing overly soft. However, it's not without its issues. Black levels show inconsistency, sometimes veering into dark gray territory. Overbrightening is a frequent problem, especially detrimental in scenes heavy with haze or fog.

Despite retaining a filmic quality with a generally smooth picture, the transfer shows signs of heavy filtering. This leads to a loss of fine detail and produces a slightly smeared effect. The grain pattern, essential for maintaining a film's texture, is mostly lost due to aggressive grain reduction, especially noticeable on larger screens. Compression artifacts are visible, stemming from Kino's choice to release the film on a BD-25 with an average bitrate of 20.94 Mbps. This decision limits the bandwidth available for the film's many complex scenes, causing visible posterization and shifting backgrounds in quieter sequences.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray release of "Needful Things" is a mixed bag. While it offers vibrant colors and sharp detail that will appeal to many viewers, its technical issues, including inconsistent black levels, compression artifacts, and a loss of grain detail, may be noticeable to more discerning enthusiasts.

The "Needful Things" Blu-ray audio presentation, encoded in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo, offers a rich and immersive experience despite not utilizing a 5.1 surround setup. This track shines especially during moments when the characters engage with their "needful things," with the sound field expanding dynamically to draw the listener into the character’s transformative vision. This functionality heightens the viewer's immersion, creating a sonic landscape that momentarily alters perception before reverting to the regular Castle Rock environment. The sound effects such as shattering glass, screeching tires, colliding vehicles, gunshots, and sporadic powerful explosions are delivered with impressive impact.

Gaunt's Mercedes, prominently featured at the film's beginning and end, boasts a deeper rumble that stands out compared to typical automobile sounds in films. Dialogue remains consistently clear, free from any audio artifacts such as pops, cracks, or hisses, ensuring effortless comprehension throughout. Patrick Doyle's demonic thriller score, supplemented by pieces from Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite and Schubert's Ave Maria, effectively balances horror and comedy elements, further enhancing the auditory experience. While some may prefer a 5.1 mix for more extensive speaker utilization, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix successfully balances effects and dialogue through the two front speakers, offering a robust, enveloping soundscape that meets high audio fidelity standards.

Kino's Blu-ray edition of "Needful Things" delivers a treasure trove of extras, making it a must-have for aficionados. The highlight is a fresh, insightful commentary by director Fraser C. Heston, skillfully moderated by Walter Olsen from Scorpion Releasing. This discussion is both technically detailed and filled with anecdotes about adapting Stephen King's expansive novel, shooting on location in Canada, and working with the cast. The commentary delves into Heston's unique vision and execution processes, adding irreplaceable value to this Blu-ray release. The inclusion of the original theatrical trailer, which features scenes absent from the theatrical cut, further enriches the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Fraser C. Heston: A comprehensive discussion moderated by Walter Olsen covering adaptation, directing choices, and location anecdotes.
• Theatrical Trailer: Showcases unseen scenes from the theatrical cut.

"Needful Things," directed by Fraser C. Heston and adapted from the Stephen King novel by W.D. Richter, brings the chilling tale of human corruptibility to the screen with considerable fidelity to its source material. Despite being edited substantially from the 700-page book, the film compensates with a top-tier cast, including Ed Harris as Sheriff Alan Pangborn and Max von Sydow as the enigmatic Leland Gaunt. The performances are notably compelling, with Harris embodying the quintessential small-town sheriff and von Sydow delivering a meticulously crafted portrayal of Gaunt that oscillates between charming and deeply malevolent. The horror in "Needful Things" stems more from the believability of the characters’ actions than from overtly gruesome effects, a deliberate choice by Heston that emphasizes the psychological underpinnings of the narrative.

Set in King's fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine, the story revolves around Gaunt's shop, where he entices townsfolk with items that cater to their deepest desires—a cost measured not just in currency but in morally corrupting acts of mischief. This growing tension forces the once-knit community into turmoil. The film captures this escalation adeptly, though some critics argue that its two-hour runtime restricts character development compared to the longer TV version. Still, it shines in its depiction of how minor provocations stir long-buried resentments into violence, a testament to King’s ability to explore complex human emotions.

Overall, "Needful Things" remains an engrossing take on King’s work. Despite its shorter runtime limiting the depth of character arcs, it maintains a brisk pace and offers a variety of sinister interactions that intrigue and unsettle. The performances of its key actors and the nuanced direction contribute significantly to its unsettling atmosphere, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of King’s adaptations and psychological thrillers alike.

Needful Things may not rank in the first tier of Stephen King adaptations, which includes The Shawshank Redemption, Misery, De Palma's Carrie and The Shining (leaving aside the question of whether Kubrick's film is more Kubrick than King), but it is certainly one of the better second-tier films, even though Heston had to cut about twenty minutes from his preferred version, losing an entire subplot involving the mother of young Brian Rusk (Shane Meier) in the process. (Played by an uncredited Lisa Blount, she appears fleetingly in the theatrical release.) Kino's presentation is an upgrade from the DVD because of the new commentary. The video presentation is more problematic. Buyer's choice. 'Needful Things' still holds up some 22 years after its release. Sure, the three hour extended cut has more character development, but this quick two hours is a great pace for all the suspense and fun. Plus, watching Max Von Sydow play the character he does here is quite fantastic. The video and audio are both quite good, given how old the movie is and the one extra, being an audio commentary is definitely worth listening to. I only wish there was a big behind the scenes bonus feature set in present day with everyone discussing their experience on set. That being said, this release still comes recommended and is worth the upgrade.

Kino's Blu-ray presentation of "Needful Things" provides a significant upgrade from previous DVDs, primarily due to the inclusion of a noteworthy audio commentary. Despite being overshadowed by top-tier Stephen King adaptations such as "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Shining," "Needful Things" remains a compelling addition to the second-tier adaptations. Director Frazer C. Heston's edited version unfortunately omits an entire subplot involving Brian Rusk's mother, reducing the film's depth but maintaining a brisk two-hour running time that keeps the suspense intact.

Max Von Sydow's performance as the enigmatic Leland Gaunt is riveting and underscores the enduring appeal of the film even 22 years post-release. The video and audio quality on this release are impressive given the film's age, though some issues persist with the video presentation. While lacking extensive behind-the-scenes features, the audio commentary alone justifies this edition as a worthy investment for collectors and fans alike.

In conclusion, "Needful Things" may not achieve the heights of some iconic Stephen King adaptations, but it remains an engaging entry thanks to strong performances and sustained suspense. Kino's Blu-ray release enhances the viewing experience despite some technical shortcomings and is recommended for those seeking an upgraded version of this often-overlooked film.