6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A variety of horrible poisonous spiders get exposed to a noxious chemical that causes them to grow to monumental proportions.
Starring: David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scott Terra, Scarlett Johansson, Doug E. DougHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo verified
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
The 1950s were a fertile period in horror, introducing audiences to the simple pleasures of Atomic Age nightmares, which included a subgenre involving “big bug” pictures. These efforts turned everyday critters into city-smashing threats, eventually inspiring generations of filmmakers to try their luck at reviving the big screen experience. In 2002, producers Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich aimed to recreate B-movie mayhem from a bygone era with “Eight Legged Freaks,” a decidedly high-tech version of monster mayhem, with copious amounts of CGI used to bring a giant spider invasion to life. Director Ellory Elkayem makes his helming debut with the feature (also co-scripting with Jesse Alexander), and he’s never exactly sure what kind of endeavor “Eight Legged Freaks” is. There’s an uneasy blend of frights and funny business to process, with jokes lacking definition and terror muted by attempts at zaniness. There’s some fun to be had with the premise, but the production ultimately doesn’t know what it wants to be, resulting in a mediocre attempt to revive big bug thrills and chills.
The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a "New 2K scan of the interpositive." Detail is appreciable, offering textured sets as the action enters a gold mine and runs around a shopping mall. Practical effects retain their goopy, webby, and hairy particulars, and facial surfaces are clear. Desertscapes are dimensional, along with expansive interiors. Colors are direct, with hot reds for lighting and signage, joined by crisp greenery and blue skies. Skintones are natural for the actors, and darker spider hues are equally defined. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition, with a just a few brief elements of mild damage detected.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers an immersive understanding of the chaos found in "Eight Legged Freaks." Dialogue exchanges are sharp and varied, with different performance styles coming through with clarity. Scoring is crisp, with strong instrumentation and position, supporting suspense sequences without overwhelming them. Music carries into the surrounds, which also handle location atmospherics well, including spider and vehicle movement. Sound effects are active, with some inviting separation elements. Low-end is active, handling explosions and hard hits from the creatures. Roaring engines also deliver.
There's enough evidence present in the feature to suggest "Eight Legged Freaks" would've been just fine as a straightforward horror picture. Elkayem and the producers want more of a comedy, and they push silliness through the creation of dim-witted characters and feeble improvisations. There's a constant need to make this thing funny (1990's "Arachnophobia" is a better example of tonal balance and better writing), but there's no game plan for jokes, making comedy emerge randomly and never successfully. Highlights are present in "Eight Legged Freaks," including a nice authoritative turn from Wuhrer and the aforementioned attack sequences, but the film has an unevenness that distracts from its primary goal to frighten its audience. It goes cute instead of ruthless, delivering more of a cartoon viewing event.
1959
Collector's Edition
2006
Director's Cut
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1954
1953
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1957
1955
1999
1959
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Limited Edition
1996
1986
Fox Studio Classics
1958
Unrated Director's Cut
2006
2009
1957