Army of Darkness (Blu-ray)

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---

Video:

One of the selling points of the new "Screwhead Edition" of the film is the digitally remastered print used for the high definition Blu-ray release. The previous HD-DVD version was horrid, but there are times when the 1.85:1 framed Blu-ray release looks awesome. And there are times when it still looks dated and barely bests the DVD release. This film is a homage to the days of Ray Harryhausen and "Army of Darkness" is far from being visually stunning. When the remaster worked well, the image is simply incredible and detail and coloring is so strong you´d be amazed to believe this film was from 1992. Unfortunately, there are a number of lower resolution and overly grainy moments that look pale in comparison to the near three dimensional scenes. Overall, the amount of detail is stunning and a lot of credit needs directed to those that helped bring this comedy classic to the age of high definition. This release is so good compared to the HD-DVD version that you should pitch the HD-DVD disc into the trash and not allow others to suffer through it.

Sound:

When Ash takes on the Pit Bitch with his boomstick, the sound is just awesome. Hearing the double barrel shotgun go off in the newly mastered DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is a thing of beauty as the bass that emanates from the subwoofer is deep and bellowing. I loved it and thing that the new audio remaster is even better than the visuals and there is hardly a moment when this film doesn´t sound good. Sound is crisp and clean and when the action steps up, "Army of Darkness" sounds incredibly for a film that is nearly the two decade mark. Rear surrounds are used effectively and sound travels cleanly between the channels. The fight with the shotgun, the sound of the chainsaw and the scene where Ash is being chased towards the old decrepit lighthouse all sound great. Dialogue had dropped at some points in the HD-DVD master and that has been corrected hear and every snappy one liner from Bruce Campbell sounds wonderful. The Danny ELfman theme and Joseph Lo Duca score work well.

Extras:

The HD-DVD release of "Army of Darkness" was embarrassing when it came to the supplemental materials. The only bonus thing about owning that release was that it had a DVD platter glued to its backside. While the Blu-ray release isn´t the most featured version of the film, it does contain a few nice items in the new titled "Screwhead Edition" of the film. The disc boots at a high volume level and includes a trailer for "The Last House on the Left" that will send you running for the volume control. Access to the BD-Live Center to view the standard offering of Universal previews is included on the disc under the "How To" menu option as well as My Scenes bookmarking.

The actual bonus content begins with some minor U-Control functionality. Production Photos are attached to every of the disc´s sixteen chapters except for one and this launches very detailed photographs into a PiP window as you view the film. Creating the Deadites (21:29) is a brand new making-of feature that has Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger reminiscing about the special effects for Army of the Darkness and this is a fun little walk down memory lane and the best reason to upgrade to the Blu-ray release as some good making-of footage is included. The Alternate Ending (4:42) that was previously included on the Anchor Bay special edition and shows Ash waking up in a post-apocalyptic future is included. Although it is not mentioned on the packaging, the film´s Theatrical Trailer is thrown in for good measure.

Closing Comments:

"Army of Darkness" is a film that has a large cult following and is well loved by many. Anchor Bay did the title some justice on home video a few years back with a very good limited edition and a couple other releases that made many a fan boy happy. Universal has since found the value of this little title that was a box office flop, but they have yet to step to plate and hit a home run with this good selling catalog title. Now a dozen and a half years later they have set out to remaster the title after the horrendous HD-DVD release with the "Screwhead Edition" that features remastered sight and sound as well as a new making-of retrospective. While this release is still not as good as what us fans of Ash have long pined for, it is a step in the right direction and destroys the HD-DVD in comparison.

---

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---