12/12/12 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.5

12/12/12 Blu-ray Movie Review

As the date has passed, so too let this one go on by into oblivion.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 1, 2013

The world has survived all sorts of doomsday dates in recent years. 1/1/2000, 5/21/11, 11/11/11, 12/12/12, and 12/21/12. Next up: every day The Asylum releases a new movie. It doesn't get any "doomier" than that, and their 12/12/12 might be all the proof anyone needs. Bloodier and far more "out there" than most Asylum films, 12/12/12 dabbles in dark arts, satanism, the occult, and the flat-out weird in its effort to frighten audiences. The film works on a very base level in that it creates a legitimate sense of unease and creepiness, but otherwise fails to muster up anything of value. Maybe that's enough, maybe it isn't, but audiences looking for the truly odd might want to give this one a watch. All others are advised to stay away unless demonic babies sound like a good idea.

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The plot: A woman is in violent labor. The baby is surgically forced from the womb, and it murders the attending physician and nurse. The family -- plus little Sebastian -- returns home to find dead rats and flies in and around the house. The family soon comes to learn -- first hand -- that the infant craves not mother's milk but rather human blood. It murders the father and kills anyone -- law enforcement, good samaritans -- with whom it comes into contact. It soon becomes apparent that the child may not be normal (really?!) but rather a key cog in a dark satanic cult and, perhaps, even the child of the devil itself.

12/12/12 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

12/12/12 features a pleasing high definition image. The Asylum's 1.78:1-framed transfer handles the digital footage well enough, showing only trace amounts of banding and only a little bit of noise around lower-light scenes. Details are sharp and crisp, revealing general around-the-house objects as well as skin and clothing textures to high definition satisfaction. The movie is a little dim and dark in many scenes, but the color palette appears accurate throughout. Black levels never go too dark or too pale, and flesh tones never betray natural hues.

12/12/12 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

12/12/12's DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers the film's sonic elements satisfactorily. There's a fine sense of space to the track; music and effects both naturally drift to the sides and gently envelop around the back. Ambient effects are handled well, including background police radio chatter and blaring sirens. Bass is heavy and deep in a few scenes, some high-end piercing sound effects don't fall apart, and various squishy sounds of horror are delivered with care. Dialogue is accurate and center-focused.

12/12/12 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All that's included in this Blu-ray release of 12/12/12 is a short making-of featurette (HD, 7:51) and a gag reel (HD, 1:28).

12/12/12 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

12/12/12 is a bloody picture that will leave viewers uneasy at the mere sight of the hell creature. It's certainly different to say the least, blending all sorts of elements into a creepy but also largely amateurish picture that's smoothly made but poorly acted, lazily paced, and sometimes incomprehensibly written. Fans of the truly strange might enjoy it, but mainstream audiences and casual Horror fans should pass. The Asylum's Blu-ray features acceptable video and audio to go along with a couple of brief supplements. Recommended only to fans of fringe cinema.