Review by Brian Montgomery
Studio:
Theatrical: Paramount
Blu-ray: Lionsgate
Disc:
Region: A
(as verified by the
Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)
Runtime: 1:49:40.239
Disc Size: 23,117,534,460 bytes
Feature Size: 21,526,966,272 bytes
Video Bitrate: 18.97 Mbps
Chapters: 19
Case: Standard Blu-ray case
Release date: April 6th, 2010
Video:
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio English 5462 kbps 7.1 / 48 kHz / 5462
kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles:
English, Spanish, None
Extras:
• Audio commentary with director Peter Hyams
• The Filmmaker's Lens: An Interview with
Peter Hyams (10:10)
• Theatrical Trailer
The Film:
Though based on an original, quite respected
sci-fi novel, Peter Hyams' new horror
thriller, "The Relic," comes across as a
pastiche of genre conventions from major
pictures of the last two decades, most
notably "Jaws" and the first two "Alien"
movies. Still, this strikingly proficient
production boasts genuinely scary thrills
and first-rate visual and creature
effects....
Made in the tradition of a Gothic
haunted-house movie, "The Relic" doesn't so
much inject new blood into the increasingly
tiresome horror mold as "rearrange" some of
the genre's most familiar characters and
themes, including science vs. myth and
superstition, wild beasts lurking in the
dark, a bright female professional in peril,
a rescue mission of civilians entrapped in a
confined space - and even cynical
politicians primed for a comeuppance.
Excerpt of review from Emanuel Levy located
HERE
Image:
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
Fortunately the visuals on this release from
Lionsgate look far better than those found
on their simultaneous release of "Jade".
Although the film was made before the advent
of HD and has a dated mid-90s look to it,
the visuals here are more than acceptable,
and even though I haven't seen it, certainly
a step up from the standard edition. Clarity
levels are consistently decent, and there
was no discernible artefacting in the print.
My only real complaint about the image is
that the film itself is too dark. At least
half of the scenes, if not more, are set in
dim or poorly lit environments and the image
often is therefore difficult to make out.
CLICK EACH
BLU-RAY
CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio & Music:
The soundtrack is presented here in another
masterful DTS-HD Master 7.1 mix that really
showcases the potential for the HD systems.
Audiophiles will be pleased to know that all
aspects of their system will get a workout
here. There's really no downside to the
track that I noticed. The English and
Spanish subtitles are clear and do not
obstruct the image.
Extras:
Aside from a trailer real for Lionsgate
releases, the disc also sports an audio
commentary and "making of..." featurette.
While director Peter Hyams is the sole
participant of the commentary, he is also
nearly the sole participant of the
documentary. Neither feature is particularly
elucidating or entertaining. I suppose that
fans of the film might get something more
out of them than I did.
Bottom line:
I have to admit that despite the fact that
this film has a number of high profile
admirers (most notably both Gene Siskel and
Roger Ebert), I'm afraid that I can't
recommend it. While I certainly appreciate a
good horror film, there were simply too many
cliches in this one for my taste. However,
if you are a fan of the film and you're
considering upgrading your DVD, then I would
certainly recommend it.
Brian Montgomery
April 12th. 2010