Blade: House of Chthon (DVD)

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There isn't much plot to "Blade: House of Chthon," largely, I'm sure, because it's a television show, and you mustn't make television viewers think too much; and because the filmmakers want this première episode mostly to introduce the characters to us. Which presents a problem from the outset: We know that a movie like this one has to have a continuing heavy, so we know, too, there will be no decisive end to the villainy afoot. The main idea of the show is to get audiences to come back for more. Therefore, all it does is set up the scenario and expect us to go from there.

Admittedly, "Blade: House of Chthon" is somewhat dull and uninspired in terms of first-rate, big-screen thrillers, its creators pacing the proceedings for maximum effect between commercials. We find the dialogue sparse and the skulking through shadows plentiful. Still, if it's kicking and punching you want, with a few buckets of blood thrown in, you've come to the right place. But as I say, don't look for much in the way of originality, surprise, zest, humor (except for Lee and the brief interlude with Quaid), or spirit here. Heck, don't even look for much of Detroit, as the filmmakers shot most of the picture in Canada. A lot of dark alleyways, though. Call it "Blade: House of Noir."

Video:
The New Line video engineers present the movie on disc in a 1.78:1 screen ratio, just the size of a widescreen TV. They give it a high-bit-rate, anamorphic transfer, which does not, however, ensure a perfect image. In fact, the video is predominantly soft and sometimes fuzzy by comparison to the best theatrical releases. Expect here the look of a good cable-video broadcast. This is not to say it's bad, just not as well defined as it could be.

Daylight shots come off best, where colors are strong and deep. Darker shots, though, which are many, can look rather murky. To the good, the screen is generally clear and free of grain or noise; to the bad, I noticed some occasional moiré effects, flickering lines, that I hadn't figured to see.

Audio:
Well, it's loud. This is a movie for and about young people, so rock music abounds. The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound reproduction produces robust dynamics and wide stereo, but bass is not as taut or as clean as it could be, and the surrounds (beyond enhancing the usual musical ambiance) take a while to get started. By the time we get to an arcade scene, the rear speakers have begun to warm up, and the filmmakers seem to start using the surrounds increasingly better as the movie goes along.

Extras:
Surprisingly, since this film was not a major theatrical release, there are bigger extras on the disc than on most such affairs. First up are two separate audio commentaries, the first with director O'Fallon and the second with writers David Goyer and Geoff Johns. After listening to a little of both, I'd say it was a toss-up. The director tends to provide more factual information, whereas the two writers are a bit more fun to listen to. Then there is a documentary on the making of the film, "Turning Blade," that is eight chapters and over an hour long. On it, the actors appear to be having much more fun than what we see in the movie.

Things conclude with sixteen scene selections but no chapter insert; English as the only spoken language; English and Spanish subtitles; and a cardboard slipcover. OK, I admit I've never understood the concept of slipcovers, but New Line, Disney, even Warner Bros. seem to think they're important. I figure they're more of a marketing item for the studio than any kind of serious advantage for the consumer, but who am I to argue?

Parting Shots:
Insofar as TV movies go, the unrated edition of "Blade: House of Chthon" is actually pretty decent, moving briskly from episode to episode without giving us much time to fret about the vacuity of the plot and characters. Indeed, it even adds enough gratuitous sex and violence to make us forget for a minute that it really is a television production. However, compared to a good theatrical release, this "Blade" comes up ordinary at best.

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