Brainscan Blu-ray Movie

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Brainscan Blu-ray Movie United States

Mill Creek Entertainment | 1994 | 96 min | Rated R | No Release Date

Brainscan (Blu-ray Movie), temporary cover art

Price

Movie rating

6.2
 / 10

Blu-ray rating

Users0.0 of 50.0
Reviewer2.5 of 52.5
Overall2.5 of 52.5

Overview

Brainscan (1994)

A teenager is part of an interactive video game where he kills innocent victims. Later, the murders become real.

Starring: Edward Furlong, Frank Langella, Amy Hargreaves, T. Ryder Smith, David Hemblen
Director: John Flynn (I)

Horror100%
Sci-FiInsignificant

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
    Video resolution: 1080p
    Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
    Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

  • Audio

    English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

  • Subtitles

    English SDH

  • Discs

    Blu-ray Disc
    Single disc (1 BD)

  • Playback

    Region A (B, C untested)

Review

Rating summary

Movie3.0 of 53.0
Video3.5 of 53.5
Audio2.5 of 52.5
Extras0.0 of 50.0
Overall2.5 of 52.5

Brainscan Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 25, 2019

This Mill Creek Blu-ray release of 'Brainscan' is currently available in a two-film bundle with 'Mindwarp.' The picture was previously released to Blu-ray by Shout! Factory in 2018. I did not review, nor do I have access to, that disc; this review focuses solely on the Mill Creek presentation and does not include comparisons to that 2013 release.


Michael Brower (Edward Furlong) is a physically scarred and emotionally void teenager with an obsession for Horror movies and a penchant for integrating technology into his life. The two fields of interest converge when his friend Kyle (Jamie Marsh) excitedly calls him to tell him about Brainscan, “the ultimate experience in interactive terror” according to an ad in Fangoria Magazine. While he pines for the girl next door, Kimberly (Amy Hargreaves), he finds himself immersed in the game, committing what he believes to be a virtual murder in first-person perspective. But when his victim turns up dead in the real world, he realizes that there's more to the game than simple escapist entertainment. His fears are compounded when the game’s host, Trickster (T. Ryder Smith), appears to him from out of the game and in the flesh, insisting that Michael continue to play the game and slaughter more victims.

For a full film review, please click here.


Brainscan Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  3.5 of 5

Brainscan's 1080p transfer is more than adequate. Despite some issues along the way -- wobbly opening titles and a fairly steady stream of splotches, blotches, pops, and speckles -- the picture holds fairly clear and impressive, boasting a steady and light grain structure and well resolved details, whether all of the posters and electric equipment in Michael's Room or the more complex Trickster makeup and attire. Colors are not vivid but not dull either; there's a relatively healthy neutrality to the entire image. Skin tones and black levels are fine. It's not bad for the cost and sharing disc space with another film.


Brainscan Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  2.5 of 5

Brainscan's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack delivers a satisfying, if not limited, experience. When Michael is pulled into the Brainscan game, through a windy digital portal, the lack of greater sonic immersion is almost painfully absent. The front end does a fair job of stretching, but the lack of better detail and more immersion hurt the scene. Music blares with adequate stretch and feel for weight at a few junctures. Effect details are fair. Dialogue images nicely to the center and presents with quality detailing and prioritization.


Brainscan Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  n/a of 5

This Blu-ray release of Brainscan contains no supplemental content. Conversely, the Shout! disc is packed with extras: a commentary, new interviews, retro featurettes, and more, an extensive collection that is painfully absent here.


Brainscan Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  2.5 of 5

Brainscan is an interesting relic from the pre-Columbine 90s era of burgeoning technology and troubled teens escaping into artificial violence. It's an imperfect film but fulfilling in its thematic explorations. Mill Creek's featureless Blu-ray delivers serviceable video and audio. The Shout! Factory disc offers a plethora of bonus content and, for fans, is the better option.


Other editions

Brainscan: Other Editions