As Above, So Below Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		2.5

As Above, So Below Blu-ray Movie Review

Bargain bin fodder...

As Above So Below asks for a lot of its target audience, even those who typically eat up found-footage horror films. So much that suspension of disbelief doesn't even begin to cover it. Ancient alchemy, the Philosopher's Stone, dead Templars, cultists, hooded demon monks, living statues, rivers of blood, warped reality, up is down, down is up... literally... there's a lot going on and little of it makes much sense. What does track isn't worth the effort, amounting to a loosely strung quest-plot as contrived as it is exhausting. Worse, filmmakers John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle (The Poughkeepsie Tapes, Devil) take one improbable stab in the dark after another, attempting to create a film that elevates the genre but only succeeds in dragging it deeper and deeper into the muck. With shaky cam in hand -- then out, tumbling to the ground, back up, on the move, jostle jostle jostle, run run run, steady for a second, in focus, out of focus, repeat ad nauseum -- the visuals are perfectly suited to the shaky script, and even more suited to the shaky performances, which stumble and fall as often as the actors. There isn't a whole lot to enjoy, but it was shot for five million and raked in forty. God help us, a script for As Above So Below is probably already in the pipeline.

The Blair Witch Tunnels...

As Above, So Below Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

If you think watching As Above So Below's hyper-shaky-cam cinematography is difficult, try taking screenshots of it. Universal's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation is rough, inconsistent and riddled with issues, but the encode isn't the culprit. In fact, the high definition transfer is about as faithful as anyone could hope for, warts and all. So brace yourselves and pop a Dramamine. Clarity is all over the place, black levels are muted and often bottom out at charcoal gray, delineation is terribly problematic (which I suppose works in the film's favor), and crush, noise, macroblocking and other anomalies are out in force. Colors are decently saturated, though, and reds have a nice, visceral edge that makes blood a fittingly overwhelming and revolting sight. The real saving grace is that, again, this is As Above So Below as its filmmakers intended, making it a fool's errand to lodge a legitimate complaint.

As Above, So Below Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Much like the film itself, As Above So Below's sound design makes a slow shift in style, initially adhering to the Dowdle's found footage trappings but soon drifting away as it becomes convenient. Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track follows suit, with an at-times inconsistent but ultimately satisfying lossless mix that delivers the film's soundscape as it was meant to be heard. Dialogue is reasonably intelligible for a found footage horror film, effects deftly spring from muffled to clear (as the atmosphere of any given scene dictates), LFE output is firm and, on occasion, out for blood, and rear speaker activity is aggressive, increasing the claustrophobia of the setting and allowing the tunnels to close in around the listener quite effectively. The soundfield is more than immersive, it's hungry, and more than capable of gobbling up anyone in its reach. But even when things seem hit or miss, it's important to remember this is As Above So Below as it was meant to be experienced.

As Above, So Below Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

A four-minute HD featurette, "Inside As Above So Below," is it, kids. Nothing more, meaning all those lingering questions involving the plot and production may never be answered. (Apologies for the sarcasm.)

As Above, So Below Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As Above So Below is a misguided found footage misfire that neither elevates, subverts, innovates or contributes to its corner of the horror genre, settling for increasingly improbable plotting and character development as if that will somehow conjure real scares. Which it never does. I laughed out loud far more often than I jumped in my seat, and shook my head as frequently as I checked my watch. I might even call it brilliant camp if it didn't take itself so seriously. Now it's just a matter of waiting for the inevitable direct-to-video sequel, or sequels, as seems to be Universal's trend. The film's Blu-ray release at least offers a faithful AV presentation, though, meaning fans will at least be able to watch As Above So Below as God intended. Sorry, sorry. There's that sarcasm again. Apologies. I'm not anti-found footage, but this one really tested my patience.