6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 3.4 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.9 |
Ernest accidentally unleashes an ugly troll that plots to transform children into wooden dolls in the town of Briarville, Missouri.
Starring: Jim Varney, Eartha Kitt, Austin Nagler, Shay Astar, Jonas MoscartoloComedy | 100% |
Family | 55% |
Holiday | 27% |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
There's nothing under the bed...
Horror can be such a random, peculiar genre. It's not all slashers and disfigured maniacs and splatter-fests in hardcore R-rated films; it's trolls and
monsters under the bed and things that go bump in the night. It's in fairy tales and nursery rhymes and bedtime stories. It's in haunted houses and
Halloween decorations and tales of the ubiquitous "boogeyman." There's just something in human nature about wanting, needing to be
scared on some level -- particularly in the safety of the theater or from the comfort of the couch curled up to a good R.L. Stine book -- that tingles the
senses and engages the brain in a way other genres can't. And it all starts with the young ones. Movie studios have more or less tastefully exploited
the Horror genre geared to younger audiences for a long time -- think Monster House -- and book publishers, well, kids have been scared for
years with anything from a Lois Duncan tale to new market entries like Killer Pizza, which features children monster slayers. Ernest
Scared Stupid is one of these "scary" movies geared directly at impressionable young minds. But are its monsters too scary, and will
possible nightmares be worth the short-lived thrill of seeing a "scary" movie, albeit one presented in an obviously comedic tone?
Clash of the titans.
Ernest Scared Stupid's 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer is surprisingly strong and stable. For a film as relatively low-budget as this and a disc selling for around the price of a good cup of coffee shop coffee, viewers will be surprised to witness steady details and colors from beginning to end. Of course, this isn't absolutely top-flight high definition material, but there's very little room for complaint given all of the surrounding factors. Colors are perhaps a touch warm and a hair faded, but the palette is nevertheless nicely varied and inviting. Fine detail is quite good; facial textures and the seams and fabrics of Ernest's trademark gray t-shirt and denim vest aren't at all lacking, while the slimy definition of the troll's body is enough to add a few more scares into the equation. Black levels are relatively strong throughout. The image isn't plagued by too many other issues. A few pops and speckles are evident, but banding and blocking are kept to a minimum. A light layer of visible grain rounds a more-than-adequate transfer into form.
Ernest Scared Stupid limps onto Blu-ray with a measly Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. Despite the absence of more channels and a lossless option, Mill Creek's audio presentation is up to snuff, at least as up as an antiquated track can be. Music enjoys suitable clarity and spacing; the opening title sequence exhibits no problems in spreading out to the far edges of the soundstage while maintaining a crisp and accurate feel. The track can be a bit unwieldy and uninteresting; various sound effects are presented with limited power, little range, and unconvincing results, such as the heavy crunching of a garbage compactor early in the movie. However, sound does make the transition from speaker to speaker easily enough; a scene featuring Ernest running back and forth across the screen while shouting through a bullhorn is surprisingly effective and natural. Likewise, big storm sound effects as heard near the end of the film deliver suitable energy and a fair sense of space. Most important, dialogue is centered and always clear and accurate. It's not going to win any awards, but Mill Creek's measly 2.0 lossy soundtrack is no slouch in its ability to accomplish all its tasks.
Ernest Scared Stupid contains no supplements.
Ernest Scared Stupid might be a bit too scary for the youngest audiences, but it's sure to be a hit with elementary-aged boys. The picture is basic Ernest -- lots of verbal and physical humor from a master of both -- and once again makes use of children as integral pieces to the plot. The picture is a bit sluggish, repetitive, and not at all mysterious, but it's still a charming little adventure that makes it worth a watch, particularly for fans of the rest of the Ernest series. Mill Creek's Blu-ray release of Ernest Scared Stupid yields stable video, decent audio, but no supplements. Normally, neither the movie nor the quality of the release would merit a recommendation, but given that Mill Creek is almost giving these things away, it makes for a respectable purchase. Recommended.
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