Body Parts Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Body Parts Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 2, 2020

Adapting a French novel by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac, co-writer/director Eric Red aims to create a classier style of horror movie with 1991’s “Body Parts.” One could argue the picture isn’t very scary at all, showing more effectiveness as a Hitchcockian thriller concerning a good man’s interactions with a bad arm. Red isn’t a refined filmmaker, and he wrestles with his B-movie instincts here, endeavoring to make a considered character piece that also doubles as cinematic excitement. Nail-biting material doesn’t dominate “Body Parts,” as Red has better luck with mystery elements, generating more interest in the central puzzle of transplant surgery and donor shock than the visceral detours of the feature, which play into snoozy slasher routine.

A decent family man, psychologist Bill (Jeff Fahey) is trying to get inside the mind of criminal activity, but his life is forever altered after a car accident claims one of his arms. Dr. Webb (Lindsay Duncan) offers the broken man a new future through experimental transplant surgery, adding a mystery arm to Bill’s body, allowing him to return to life with his loving wife, Karen (Kim Delaney). However, once he accepts the new appendage, Bill begins experiencing nightmarish visions of murder, while his own temperament sours, leaving him to wonder just whose arm has been used for the surgery.

The literary grip of “Body Parts” is found right from the start, with Red doing an efficient job establishing Bill’s focus on the criminal mind, visiting prisons to interact with unstable types. His mind searches for answers to behavioral questions, but he’s also a practiced man of the house, juggling child care and husbandly duties with ideal responsibility. The horror of the car accident that claims his arm is nicely executed by Red, who delivers a nightmare highway scenario punctuated by a direct fear factor involving a brake-slamming truck driver. “Body Parts” hooks viewers in during the first act, following Bill’s visit to the operating room, groggily witnessing Dr. Webb dissect a mystery corpse, giving him one of the arms. Physical therapy follows, along with a return to normality, with Bill finally coming to terms with his new addition, giving him a second chance via medical experimentation.

Red could probably make an entire movie out of Bill’s surgical experience, reclaiming a life that was almost lost, giving him a new perspective on family and work. But that’s not the stuff of screen tension, and soon the mystery of the arm’s original owner comes into play, as Bill spies a death row tattoo on the skin, while his mind is poisoned by the new blood. The detective story isn’t all that compelling, but the additions of other limb recipients, including artist Remo (Brad Dourif), bring some energy to the mild proceedings. Red also delivers select scenes of gore, keeping things bloody as Bill encounters some painful realities and experiences his own surges of aggression, hitting his own kid, choking Karen, and engaging in a bar fight. Fahey plays everything with customary intensity, but Red doesn’t ratchet up suspense with authority, leaving composer Loek Dikker to do the heavy lifting with his exceptional score.

Body Parts Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Body Parts" hasn't been provided with a fresh scan for its Blu-ray debut, and the AVC encoded image (2.36:1 aspect ratio) presentation does show some age. There's softness to contend with, which doesn't eliminate detail, but dials it down, finding gore zone visits managing to survive, showcasing all sorts of nasty business with reasonable clarity. Facial surfaces are adequate, as are domestic and medical interiors. Colors are slightly muted but extremes are represented, keeping blood reds present, while displays of art and bar visits provide compelling hues. Skintones lack precision at times, but remain in the realm of natural. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in decent shape. Some mild compression issues are present.

Body Parts Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is handled with authority, securing a defined presence for Loek Dikker's excellent score, which supports without intrusion, offering appealing instrumentation for orchestral surges. Dialogue exchanges are compelling, providing a clear read of quiet reflection and more animated suspense interactions. Surrounds are used for immersion, pushing out music and action, and atmospherics are noted. Low-end handles acceptably.

Body Parts Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Eric Red.

• "I Dare You to Read This Script" (52:15, HD) is an interview with Red, who reveals his early moviegoing obsession, which eventually reached showings at Times Square, delighting in the violent audience reaction to exploitation films. Commencing his directorial career as a teenager, Red eventually pushed his way through the industry, gaining attention for his screenplays, which included "The Hitcher" and "Near Dark." For "Body Parts," Red found inspiration from a French novel, working to untangle rights and bring to the screen what others could not. Armed with a 10-million-dollar budget from Paramount Pictures, the helmer set out to hire a crew and deal with casting, giving his talent room to find their characters. The interviewee examines production design achievements, special effects, car stunts, and goes into detail about deleted scenes, with Paramount wanting extreme gore cut despite Red's protests. Reshoots are studied, and the theatrical release of "Body Parts" is mourned. A reflection on the entire professional experience is also included.

• "That One Hurt" (22:32, HD) is an animated conversation with editor Anthony Redman, who offers his early movie fandom, which eventually translated into a job with Universal Pictures. Time with Roger Corman is shared, with Redman learning everything from the legendary producer, helping him to climb the industry ladder, including a stint working on Abel Ferrara's "Fear City." Redman files through his personal favorite moments of "Body Parts," reinforcing how he wanted to push the violence and gore, only to be reeled back in by the production. The interviewee discusses his time with Red, his appreciation of Jeff Fahey, and the botched release of "Body Parts."

• "Something Unstoppable" (13:40, HD) sits down with actor Paul Ben-Victor, who recalls his childhood love of drumming and his exposure to musical theater, eventually striving to become an actor, leading him to Los Angeles. Ben-Victor recounts his early career ambitions and frequent starvation, soon finding a role in "Body Parts." Character is explored, along with the actor's relationship with Red and Fahey. The legacy of "Body Parts" is also detailed.

• "Molded for Cinema" (17:14, HD) is a chat with actor Peter Murnik, who recalls his initial fondness for acting, taking a chance on himself after moving to Los Angeles to score gigs, only to deal with incredible stretches of rejection. Commercial work helped Murnik, who worked with Michael Bay and David Fincher multiple times, securing relationships with the directors. For "Body Parts," the interviewee details his time with Red and his effort to create a character, also sharing memories of his co-stars, including Fahey, who wasn't shy went it came to presenting his dominance on the set. The logistics of performing with special effects are inspected, and the disappointing theatrical release of "Body Parts" is highlighted, with Murnik learning over the years just how many people discovered the feature on VHS.

• Deleted Footage (10:03, HD) presents two moments of gore from the original cut of "Body Parts" in workprint quality. These can be viewed with or without commentary from Red.

• Image Galley (2:44) collects poster art, film stills, publicity shots, and BTS snaps.

• T.V. Spots (1:30, SD) offer three commercials for "Body Parts."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:34, SD) is included.

Body Parts Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Body Parts" could be better with casting, as Zakes Mokae is ridiculous as a seasoned detective refusing to believe anything Bill is telling him. And Duncan is weirdly detached as a mad doctor of the movie, doing little with a potentially meaty part. The feature stumbles around at times, trying to come up with things to do before it slips into slasher cinema mode, but when Red is focused and sure of himself, "Body Parts" delivers an entertaining overview of panic and gruesome discoveries with some degree of dramatic texture and intermittent directorial inspiration.