Ginger Snaps [Artisan]

Video:
There are two Region 1 DVD releases of "Ginger Snaps." The version reviewed here is the Artisan Entertainment release. TVA International and Columbia TriStar release the Canadian version. Artisan´s treatment shows the film in a full frame transfer, while the Canadian version is presented in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen. The video quality of the Artisan release is good. The image is sharp and clean, with no visible edge enhancement. Colors are well saturated and the black levels are solid. The source materials that were used seem to have been perfect. The final moments do exhibit film grain, but this seems to have been by design and not a result of the transfer. The only complaint against the video transfer is the fact it was released in 1.33:1 and not anamorphic widescreen. It would be my guess that the film was shot soft matted, but widescreen is the preferable choice with HDTV on the horizon.

Audio:
"Ginger Snaps" is brought the your speakers in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The surround sound is good, where dialogue is clear and the films theatrical score is creepy and perfectly sets the tone of the film´s various scenes. The rear surrounds are used mainly for the score and a few scattered environmental effects. Through most of the film, the subwoofer is silent. However, during the werewolf attack and the finale, the .1 LFE channel is active enough to easily be noticed. The soundtrack perfectly suits the film.

Extras:
The feature list for the Canadian release is quite impressive. That DVD features the following: Audio commentary by Director John Fawcet, Audio commentary by Writer Karen Walton, Deleted scenes with separate audio commentary by director and writer, featurette, cast auditions and rehearsals, creation of the beast, theatrical trailers. T.V. spots, cast and crew biographies, photo gallery, production design artwork. English and French Dolby Digital 5.1. The Artisan DVD features only the theatrical trailer. Interestingly, the trailer is presented in non-anamorphic widescreen. The lack of supplements is disturbing and the question of licensing arises in an attempt to describe why the Canadian version is chocked full of good stuff, while the Artisan release is extremely bare.

Summary:
I found "Ginger Snaps" to be an above average film. The two girls featured in the movie were extremely good in their roles. Mimi Rogers is also quite good as their mother who´s biggest enjoyment is the fact that Ginger finally matured into being a woman. Rogers character even baked a cake to celebrate the event. The level of gore utilized in the picture was just about right. It was gory enough to be a horror film with guts, but did not go over the top. The story is different and captivating. I´d have to say the movie was a pleasant surprise. The only downer here is the fact the Artisan DVD is so basic. No widescreen transfer and no supplements. If you are a hardcore fan of the film, perhaps you should try to find the Canadian version. If you don´t want to go through that effort (I ordered mine quite easily), then the Artisan release should suit you fine.

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