The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
84
Studio and Year: Warner - 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 99/100 minutes
Genre: Horror/Drama
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: ACV (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, French/Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Billy Burke, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Music by: Brian Reitzell & Alex Heffes
Written by: David Leslie Johnson
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: June 14, 2011
"Who's afraid?"
Film Synopsis:
Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) directs a fantasy thriller that puts a haunting twist on the classic fairy tale. For years the villagers of Daggerhorn have maintained an uneasy truce with a werewolf - but the beast changes the stakes by killing the older sister of brave young Valerie (Amanda Seyfried). Promised in marriage to one man but in love with another, Valerie is affected yet again by the creature's bloody actions. When a werewolf hunter warns that the beast takes human form by day and walks among them, panic sets in as the death toll rises. And Valerie learns she has a unique connection to the wolf that inexorably draws them together, making her both suspect . . . and bait.
My Take:
Billed as a supernatural gothic thriller that puts a tantalizing spin on the story of Little Red Riding Hood Red riding hood is nothing more than a rehashed tween drama set to a non-suspenseful and lazy screenplay that fails to capitalize on the inherent potential of the subject. Conceptually speaking I like the idea of bringing this story to the big screen and adding an updated narrative that revolves around horror, a strong female lead, and a little romance for flavor. Unfortunately this just doesn't cut it. The derivative script follows the same uninteresting teen goth formula that has become all the rage among its fans. Rather than developing its characters and expounding upon the suspense building nature of the plot it caves by going for a ridiculously executed whodunit, fledgling romance, and hokey horror. Designed as a period piece I got a chuckle out of the contemporary dialogue and trendy hairstyles which aren't remotely connected to the time frame depicted in the film. There are conspicuous references to the original story but they are tossed in for good measure rather than working within the framework of this context. I like Amanda Seyfried and thought that she did a credible job with what she had to work with here. The two young actors that played Peter and Henry (her love interests etc.) just couldn't keep up and it was quite obvious. As I watched I couldn't help but think that Gary Oldman, Virginia Madsen and Julie Christie must seriously be in need of a paycheck if they agreed to be a part of this after reading the script. In my opinion this film simply misses the mark in that it fails as a horror film, fails as an effective teen romance/drama and does little more than drift along for 99 minutes. There is an alternate cut of the film included. Unfortunately it does nothing to enhance the story and adds another minute to the theatrical version's runtime.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for violence and creature terror, and some sensuality.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Audio: 86
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
Video: 82
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black level/Shadow detail:
- Color reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
This is a dark film both in tone and visual design and this video presentation capably conveys that. The use of muted secondary colors gives the film a stark visual aesthetic that coincides with the dreary subject matter. When brighter elements such as shades of red, or blue are present, they have a vivid and pleasing quality. More often than not fleshtones lean toward lighter/pale looking complexions however I noticed livelier tonality during several sequences that utilized warmer accent lighting and deeper color emphasis. Detail in dark areas and low lighting is above average which provides discernible but limited visibility within backgrounds. Blacks are respectable but not definitively rich in contrast. High definition resolution is satisfying as close ups are well delineated and long range visuals are reasonably sharp. While not among the best high definition offerings on Blu-ray I found little to complain about with the overall quality of this video presentation.
Films like this rely heavily on their soundtracks to help add to the build up of suspense and to enhance the intensity of jump scares. This is done primarily through the use of music and sound effects that correspond with its frightening moments. This DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix handles this very well through the use of potent dynamics, deep bass extension, and high level detail. This is a crystal clear encoding that renders excellent reproduction of the soundtrack's elements. This augments the eerie presence of low level off camera sounds as well as punctuating those that are meant to be in your face. The music is coupled along with low frequency effects to heighten jump scares and frightful images with room filling sound and ultra deep extension that resonates with palpable authority. Dialogue is appreciably textured with discernible tonal character and good room penetration. The surrounds are actively engaged in order to heighten the scary experience. This doesn't apply solely to those segments though as there is plenty of atmospheric ambience and directional cues that provide realistic envelopment. This is a great sounding audio presentation.
Bonus Features:
- Theatrical version and alternate cut of the film
- Secrets behind the red cloak - Picture-in-picture commentary (theatrical version only) with director Catherine Hardwicke/ members of the cast, concept art and storyboards
- (HD) Behind the story (Featurettes):
-
- The reinvention of Red riding hood
- Red riding hood's red men
- Red riding hood: making the score
- Before the furmaking the CGI wolf
- Casting tapes (3 segments)
- Rehearsals (3 segments)
- Red riding hood in 73 seconds - See the entire film in a little over a minute. Don't blink!
- (HD) 4 deleted scenes
- (HD) 2 minute Gag reel
- (HD) Music videos The Wolf & Just a fragment of you
- Easter Egg
- Bonus DVD of Red riding hood
- Digital Copy
Final Thoughts:
Billed as a supernatural gothic thriller that puts a tantalizing spin on the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood Red riding hood is nothing more than a rehashed tween romance drama set to a non-suspenseful and lazy screenplay that fails to capitalize on the inherent potential of the subject. I was satisfied with its high definition presentation on Blu-ray from Warner Home Video as it delivers respectable video quality and excellent lossless surround sound. The above average bonus features are highlighted by an interactive in movie experience which takes viewers behind the scenes for an in depth look at the production as told by the cast and crew. If you're curious give this one a rent but prepare to be underwhelmed.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS50 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100 16x9 Screen
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Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-93 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Samsung BD-C7900 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
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Wireworld, VizionWare, Audioquest, Better Cables, Best Deal Cables - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
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