Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Audio Commentary with director of photography Bill Pope
• Interviews with Liam Neeson (7:29) and Frances McDormand (10:50)
• MY NAME IS DURANT – interview with Larry Drake (15:59)
• THE FACE OF REVENGE – interview with Makeup Designer Tony Gardner (13:21)
• HENCHMAN TALES – Interviews with actors Danny Hicks and Dan Bell (12:57)
• DARK DESIGN – interview with Production Designer Randy Ser and Art Director Philip Dagort (16:46)
• Vintage “Making of” (6:26) and interview Featurettes featuring interviews with Sam Raimi, Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand (8:59)

• Theatrical Trailer (1:47)

• TV Spots (4:24)

• 4 Stills Gallery (Behind the Scenes/Makeup, Posters and Artwork, Production Stills, Storyboards)

Bitrate:

 

Description: Liam Neeson (Taken) and Oscar winner Frances McDormand (Fargo) star in Darkman: the explosive, action-packed thriller from director Sam Raimi (The Spider-Man trilogy).

Dr. Peyton Westlake (Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in the creation of synthetic skin when his laboratory is blown up by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with his former love (McDormand).

Also Starring Colin Friels (Dark City), Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles), Danny Hicks (Evil Dead 2) and Nicholas Worth (Swamp Thing), Darkman is ’a frenetic funhouse ride that has you laughing and screaming at the same time’ (The Washington Post)!

***

Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand star in this explosive, action-packed thriller from director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man). Dr. Peyton Westlake (Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love (McDormand).

 

 

The Film:

Neglecting Julie (Frances McDormand), his lawyer lady friend, Dr. Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson) works feverishly to perfect his latest invention -- artificial skin that could be used to treat burn victims. Peyton himself falls victim to an explosion when one of Julie's crooked clients sends his henchmen to sniff out an incriminating document that's been left in Westlake's lab. Hideously disfigured and left for dead, the good doctor receives an experimental medical treatment that renders him super-strong, impervious to pain and prone to heightened fits of rage. Rebuilding his lab into an underground hideout, Westlake begins using his synthetic skin to impersonate various characters and engineer his revenge against those who destroyed his life. Reconnecting with Julie, however, becomes the unsightly vigilante's biggest challenge.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

 

Dr. Westlake (Neeson) is on the verge of perfecting a synthetic skin which conceals disfigurements; the problem is, the skin dissolves in sunlight after 99 minutes. When his laboratory is ransacked and blown up by gangster Durant (Drake), Westlake is left for dead, face down in a vat of caustic chemicals. But he survives (sans visage) as Darkman, an avenging angel who uses temporary masks to impersonate and destroy his enemies, while simultaneously attempting to win back his estranged love (McDormand). Drawing self-consciously on the 'misunderstood monster' tradition of Universal's golden age, Raimi's major studio debut abounds with conflicting ambitions, juggling pathos, horror and incongruous slapstick as it attempts to meld (with variable success) an archaic narrative structure with a kinetic, modern visual style. Neeson's performance encapsulates these contradictions, mixing camp histrionics with moments of touching precision. But the breathtaking action sequences find Raimi in his element: wild, woolly and occasionally wondrous, Darkman has the chaotic charm of untrammelled, undisciplined talent.

Excerpt fromTimeOut Film Guide located HERE

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

I didn't pick up the Universal Blu-ray of Darkmen, back in 2011 - but I wish I had - not only to compare to this new Shout! Factory 1080P edition but I quite liked the film. Shout! Factory - is continuing releasing - especially, what were perceived as, previously flawed Universal HD transfers. I know sentiment was that the previous Universal Blu-ray of Darkman was poor. Not owning it I can't say. While I enjoyed the film, I did see some anomalies in these new format visuals. Firstly, I don't want it to seem I am picking on Shout! Factory - I, generally, like their releases and this is mostly acceptable. I did see some edge-enhancement though (see identifying zoom-in below). It wasn't blanketed, or heavy - but it was there - more notably at the beginning. Could this be on Universal's Master? I have just been informed that it has... This is, by no means, unwatchable, and I did enjoy the film - but for those ultra-sensitive, they should be notified this transfer has issues.

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

Edge Enhancement Halos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at a healthy 3690 Kbps sounds intense and carries through the film's aggression and mood-shifts wonderfully well. The score is by Danny Elfman (Batman Returns, Good Will Hunting, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure) and play perfectly alongside the film. There are optional English subtitles on the region 'A' Blu-ray disc.

Extras :

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I liked this film and should have given it a chance earlier. Raimi can remind me of John Carpenter sometimes - with a pleasing 'B'-ish charisma to his storytelling style.  Despite our pickiness the Shout! Factory Blu-ray produces an acceptable presentation - worthy of a pleasant adventure-romp night in the Home Theater and the extra will increase your appreciation. I will certainly revisit Darkman in the future. 

Gary Tooze

February 14th, 2014