6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A policewoman, her quarry and an innocent delivery boy become trapped in a haunted toy warehouse.
Starring: Tracy Scoggins, Bentley Mitchum, Michael Russo, Jeff Celentano, Richard Speight Jr.Horror | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Demonic Toys is one of the signature classics in Full Moon Entertainment's extensive library of fan-favorite and cult films that, even decades after release, have retained a significant following amongst genre enthusiasts, collectors, and movie fans who appreciate the blend of low budget and attention to detail quality. This 1992 film essentially takes the formula from 1988's Child's Play -- that film the story of a killer doll come to life -- and expands it to include an entire warehouse of diverse, creepy toys that spring to life and battle against several individuals, most of whom are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their blood-curdling goal: to restore a powerful demon by way of feeding off the soul of an unborn fetus. It's as crazy as it sounds but ridiculously fun and well made at the same time.
This ain't no game.
Demonic Toys arrives on Blu-ray with a good, though far from perfect, 1080p transfer. Generally, the image looks quite nice, featuring an organic, welcoming film-style appearance, accentuated by a moderate and mostly consistent grain structure. The picture is fairly dark, taking place at night and in lower-light interiors, meaning it can be a bit drab and devoid of pinpoint details and color. Fortunately, however, close-ups frequently reveal complex skin textures, sweat, and gore. Clothing fabrics are likewise nicely detailed, as are little odds and ends around the warehouse and in the background, including Judith's well-worn 1911-pattern pistol and, of course, all of the dolls and toys. Colors are likewise fairly flat, with darker shades and blues and grays defining much of the palette, though red blood and some yucky green doll wounds do stand nicely apart. Blacks aren't too problematic in either direction -- showing neither excess crush nor irritating paleness -- and flesh tones appear accurate. The image does see more in the way of pops and speckles than most will like, but this is otherwise another pleasant, enjoyable, filmic transfer from Full Moon.
Demonic Toys features only a pair of lossy audio options. The 5.1 track feels a bit richer and fuller than the 2.0 presentation, but that's about all it has to offer in comparison. The 5.1 track rarely extends beyond the middle. Music is cramped in the center and while clarity isn't lacking, there's a distinct absence of richness and fullness evident with every note. There's precious little in the way of ambient effects, and what's here largely remains up the middle, with some cursory, and nicely executed, echoes in chapter six. A few gunshots and other action effects are presented with satisfactory heft, but again there's just not much in the way of rich, realistic material here. Dialogue is at least focused and clear in delivery. The track gets the job done, but does so without much of a spark.
Aside from the Demonic Toys trailer (480i, 1:17) and previews for other Full Moon titles, this Blu-ray contains only Videozone (480i, 7:36), a short, vintage making-of.
Demonic Toys may not be the end-all, be-all of the Horror genre, but it's a gem of simplicity and style that compliments a fairly basic story that isn't deeply substantive but that does meet core Horror requirements. It's well made all around, suitably moody and nicely paced, evident even in the "slower" character moments that actually do, most of the time, mean something to the greater whole, even if that's just reinforcing ideas or making a character's struggles feel just a little bit more dangerous and urgent to the audience. This is a must-see for anyone who loves the Horror genre and particularly for those who enjoyed similar films like Child's Play. It's also one of Full Moon's flagship movies and a great jumping-in point for anyone unfamiliar with what the studio has to offer (Puppet Master and Trancers also being excellent "first" choices). Full Moon's Blu-ray release of Demonic Toys features solid video, flat audio, and is unfortunately not as supplement-packed as some of the studio's other releases. Still, Demonic Toys comes recommended on the strength of the film and a satisfying film-quality transfer.
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