6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.3 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.3 |
As the Barret family's peaceful suburban life is rocked by an escalating series of disturbing events, they come to learn that a terrifying and deadly force is after them.
Starring: Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, Dakota Goyo, Kadan Rockett, J.K. SimmonsHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 53% |
Supernatural | 40% |
Mystery | 14% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Per bdinfo
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
We've been having some strange things going on around here.
What's more terrifying than the absolute unknown? Alien encounters represent the pinnacle of the unexplainable, the incomprehensible, the
unknowable, and the unseen, at least the unexplainable, incomprehensible, unknowable, and unseen to those who have yet to experience the fear of
visitations or, worse, forced abductions. Call them by any name -- extraterrestrials, UFOs, grays -- but their existence is based only on scientific
conjecture,
rambling anecdotes, blurry photographs, or after-the-fact sketches. It's a subject so divisive that reactions to sightings and abductions are met with
curiosity, humor, ridicule, repulsion, and terror. Those who claim to have seen them, interacted with them, been taken by them are labeled as
paranoid,
delusional, witnesses, lucky ones, heroes, the chosen few. Dark Skies tells the tale of one family's in-home ordeal with aliens, close
encounters of the
most frightening kind. The film weaves together a tale of the psychological trauma, the physical evidence, and the sheer terror of numerous
encounters
that begin innocently enough but evolve into something far more sinister and deeply-rooted in time. It's a frightening picture, one that's very well
made and sure to chill believers, terrify those who fear the grays, and entertain those just looking for a good yarn.
I like to keep this handy for close encounters.
Dark Skies brightens up video screens with a fantastic high definition presentation. The picture fluctuates between daytime and nighttime footage, both displayed to excellent results. The film opens on a bright suburban street that's almost like a moving digital postcard of modern America. Color balance is flawless; the red, white, and blue of American flags, green lawns, baby blue paint jobs on houses, and all the other splashes of color look amazing. The image is also crisp and neatly defined, with precision details near and far, evident on concrete and even blades of grass. It sets a great tone for the remainder of the picture to come. Well-lit scenes reveal intricate facial textures and clothing lines and seams to an extent that rivals the finest HD video productions. Even at nighttime, details are incredible and the image remains sharp and focused even when there's not much to see beyond shadows and outlines. Black levels are ultra-reliable, and flesh tones are well balanced. The HD video sheen is evident but not distracting. Slight banding appears in some places, but rarely to a distractible level. That's really the only blemish on an otherwise excellent Blu-ray transfer from Anchor Bay.
Dark Skies features a very strong and well balanced DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The movie begins with a classic, bass-heavy foreboding low that calls attention to the film's deeply seeded terror before switching to a more cheerful exterior that will only last less than an act. The transition sees some gentle but positive and nicely immersive suburban ambience that effortlessly transforms the listening area into a modern neighborhood. There aren't many extremely heavy sound effects until the end of the film; one of the few of the major ones along the way is an ear-piercing ringing of a security alarm that effortlessly pulses through the stage and creates a real sense of instant panic. The end minutes deliver the heaviest content. Bass can get a little rattly at the very bottom, but it's tremendously effective at pushing the listener into the terror, getting the blood flowing, the spine tingling, the hair raising. The low end expertly grips the audience and doesn't relent. Dialogue is firm and accurate through the center. This isn't an always-active track, but when it's on it's very effective both technically and in the way it absorbs its audience into terror.
Dark Skies contains a commentary and an assortment of alternate and deleted scenes. DVD and digital copies are also included.
Dark Skies may be the most terrifying pure alien abduction film since Fire in the Sky. It's straightforward but effectively so. It's smartly cast, its characters are well developed beyond the generic opening, and every piece fits together beautifully. At worst it will entertain its audience, at best it will instill a deep fear and reinforce long-held terrors in those who are afraid of the dark and what exists in it. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Dark Skies features fantastic video and audio. A couple of extras are included. Highly recommended.
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