Rating summary
Movie |  | 2.5 |
Video |  | 3.5 |
Audio |  | 3.0 |
Extras |  | 0.0 |
Overall |  | 2.0 |
13 Frightened Girls! Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 23, 2016
Note: This release of '13 Frightened Girls!' is currently only available as part of a double feature with '13 Ghosts.'
Teenage girls, from all over the globe and each the daughter of very powerful people, attend the prestigious Ms. Pittford's Academy for Young
Ladies. Amongst them is Candace (Kathy Dunn), daughter of an important US diplomat. She returns to his place of work, but before seeing him
stops by to meet her crush, the much older Wally (Murray Hamilton). When she overhears that her father's job may be in jeopardy, she takes it upon
herself to do a little snooping, see what she can find that might help him. That leads her to a body in a meat locker. She reports the death, but
clandestinely, signing her notice as "Kitten." Her work piques her father's interest, but he has no idea it's his own daughter. She begins to groom
herself into a super spy and finds herself in deep. Soon, "Kitten" becomes a world-renowned spy in high demand...and in plenty of danger.
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The young spy.
Most movies are titled in some or fashion that more or less describes the story's comings-and-goings. Not so much here. It sounds like a Horror
film, particularly as the Blu-ray is paired with another of Castle's films,
13 Ghosts, but it's instead a...spy comedy, more or less. Sort of like
Spy Kids meets
Austin Powers. Regardless, scary it is not. Fun, in a way, it is. It's
madly
simple and absurd, childlike and giddy but those latter qualities at least reflect the protagonist and her drive into spy-dom. It's innocent, disposable
entertainment, hammy and seriously overdone in a good way.
13 Frightened Girls! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 
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13 Frightened Girls! features a nicely presented 1080p transfer. Details are acceptable, not particularly stout compared to the best releases
but
finding enough pull to reveal clothing and location textures with adequate intimacy and tactile definition. Colors are balanced and true, from purple
schoolgirl uniforms to lush natural greenery. Black levels struggle and appear too bright. Flesh tones seem spot-on. There's not an abundance of wear
and tear and compression issues are not particularly prevalent. For a budget release of an aging film (and presumably an older master), this is a rather
solid presentation.
13 Frightened Girls! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 
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13 Frightened Girls! features Mill Creek's basic Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. Unlike the companion 13 Ghosts and other Castle
releases
from Mill Creek
like Homicidal, this track plays with a bit more liveliness to music and
spread to the sides. Definition and clarity are honest, though hardly terrific. Little support details play with just enough definition and sense of place
to create, at least along the front, a fairly defined soundstage. Dialogue pushes to the center with commendable clarity and firmness in delivery.
13 Frightened Girls! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 
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This Blu-ray release of 13 Frightened Girls! contains no bonus content.
13 Frightened Girls! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 
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13 Frightened Girls! may not really live up to its title, and it's a fair bit lighter than some of Castle's other works, but it works well enough as
an
innocent, playful little picture. Mill Creek's Blu-ray is, as usual, featureless, but video and audio are passable, particularly for a budget release.
Recommended.