Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Abrakadabra Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 8, 2021

Joining other filmmakers interested in paying tribute to giallo entertainment, siblings Luciano and Nicolas Onetti try their luck with “Abrakadabra,” which represents their attempt to deliver an Italian-flavored shocker with extreme screen details (there’s even a J&B bottle present). It’s an interesting offering of pure moviemaking labor, with the Onettis constructing an effort that’s determined to replicate the cinematography and sounds of lesser giallo events and, I’ll admit, it took me a few minutes to realize the whole shebang was created recently (2018), finding the artistic approach quite convincing, at least until actors begin to populate the frame. That’s the trick of “Abrakadabra,” and really the only reason to sit through the short (70 minutes with end credits) endeavor, finding its cinematic textures alluring, while the storytelling leaves much to be desired.

“Abrakadabra” is relatively simple, following a magician (German Baudino) who lost his father to a stage disaster, only to find himself in the middle of a horror show when females he frequents are soon taken out by an unknown killer. There’s not much of a dramatic engine to the endeavor, with the Onettis largely obsessed with mood, sending the lead character into mind-bending areas of excess and paranoia, also exploring his magical skill with a mid-movie performance that includes a trick for the audience. The helmers remain true to the genre with magic-themed deaths and shadowy torment, and scoring contribution from Luciano Onetti are outstanding, reviving the Goblin-era of synth emphasis on macabre encounters and chases, getting a little electro-energy going when the music takes over. Carlos Goitia’s cinematography is also evocative, capturing acid burn colors and framing unwieldiness.

Abrakadabra Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Abrakadabra" has a very strange look. The AVC encoded image (2.20:1 aspect ratio) presentation is working with a feature that's been cooked in post- production to help it resemble an offering from the 1970s. Even weirder, the endeavor seems to be trying to replicate the visual appearance of a "lost" film from the 1970s, with a pinkish push to the viewing experience. Colors are cranked throughout the movie, favoring fried reds and blues, and period orange is also present. Skintones are intentionally hotter. Costuming and stage displays provide distinct primaries. Detail is strong, with pore-heavy close-ups and textured sets. Delineation is trickier, with solidification common. Flatter blacks might be an artistic choice. Some banding is detected.

Abrakadabra Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD mix also tries to replicate an older film presentation, finding dialogue exchanges offered with a canned, ADR-esque sound. Scoring cues are more powerful, delivering deep bass rumbles. Surrounds also fill with music, securing a circular atmosphere for suspense sequences. 2.0 DTS-HD MA English and Italian tracks are included, and those tend to better represent the retro spirit of "Abrakadabra," lacking the fullness of the 5.1 offering.

Abrakadabra Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A CD Soundtrack is offered.

• "Backstage Raw" (11:24, HD) is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Abrakadabra." It's basically B-roll footage, but still very compelling, highlighting the production effort as it moves around locations and stages. Also interesting is a chance to see what the picture looked like before its stylish makeover in post-production.

• And a Trailer (1:50, HD) is included.

Abrakadabra Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Abrakadabra" is more of a technical exercise than a compelling mystery, finding the main character's decent into madness not terribly interesting despite Baudino's commitment to the part. The writing isn't particularly inspired, and one can feel the Onettis stretching to come up with enough sequences to technically classify the effort as a feature-length offering. Perhaps the material was originally created for a short, giving the directors a chance to show their stuff without the burden of characterization and resolution, as the climax here is interpretive, but not presented with any particular urgency, erasing puzzling appeal. There's limpness to "Abrakadabra," but there's also filmmaking moxie, with the siblings determined to manufacture their own valentine to the giallo offerings of yesteryear. The illusion is impressive and will likely delight genre fanatics. However, expectations for a true immersion into a world of illusion, broken minds and bodies, and dread aren't likely to be met.