Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning Blu-ray Movie Review

Scream Factory via Shout! Factory has released the 1985 Horror franchise film 'Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning' to Blu-ray with a high quality 1080p transfer and a pair of lossless soundtrack options. Several supplements are included as well, carrying over the extras from Warner Brothers' disc found in the 2013 collection and adding a few new ones. It's an excellent Blu-ray. It is currently only available in the exciting, and limited, Friday the 13th Collection which includes all 12 films featuring killer Jason Voorhees as well as two bonus discs.

Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Though the transfer is not sourced from a 4K scan, as was the case with the previous four pictures, it's nevertheless a strong outing, practically on par with the others for clarity, color, and filmic qualities. The picture holds steady to a fine grain structure which does not spike in density in lower light, at least not to extreme levels. It supports finely defined textures throughout the film which is always in command of the various elements, ranging from furnishings in various rooms throughout the camp, the more rustic exterior details, and of course skin and clothing which reveal superior sharpness and easily discernible intimacy. The overall clarity and faithfulness to the filmic source is a treat, as is the color palette which plays well both in bright sunlight and under rainy darkness. Red blood bursts with high intensity in several scenes, particularly as it's soaked onto a white sheet in bright light in the first act, a critical scene for shaping the remainder of the movie. Natural greens deliver, flesh tones are excellent, and clothes pop. The transfer shines at night, too, with exquisite black levels which are frequently punctuated by lightning strikes. The print is free of any obvious source blemishes and the encode is rock-solid, too, showing no compression artifacts even in the most troubling areas.

Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning, like its predecessors in the Shout! collection, includes both 5.1 and 2.0 mono DTS-HD Mater Audio lossless soundtracks. The opening scene enjoys more balance in the 5.1 track. In mono, the music overwhelms the scene, drowning out the rain. In 5.1, rain is much more prominent, saturating through all channels. It's the same thing in chapter nine, when Pam and Reggie flee the house into the driving rain. The balance between music and effects in 5.1 is terrific; in mono the rain is barely audible. Original intent faithfulness is great, but there's no mistaking the superiority balance at play with the 5.1 track. Overall clarity is excellent in 5.1, too. Over the opening titles, music is more aggressive, clear, and detailed. The mono track lacks the range and the fidelity. Whether shrieking highs or intense lows, music is a regular highlight, particularly in the more intensive cues accompanying action. Slashes and screams are very well defined. Dialogue is clear and accurate, center positioned in both tracks, a bit more firmly so in the more expansive soundtrack. Both listens have merit, but this reviewer found the 5.1 track much more satisfying and a superior compliment to the film.

Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning includes a blend of new and returning supplements. New content is marked as such. Please click here for coverage of the carryover content. Note that The Friday the 13th Chronicles was included on the Warner Brothers disc but appears on the bonus discs for the collection, not on this film's disc.

• NEW! Audio Commentary: Peter Bracke and Actors Melanie Kinnaman, Deborah Voorhees, and Tiffany Helm.
• Audio Commentary: Director/Co-Screenwriter Danny Steinmann and Actors John Shepherd and Shavar Ross.
• NEW! Audio Commentary: Fans/Filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch.
• Lost Tales from Camp Blood - Part 5
• The Crystal Lake Massacres Revisited, Part II
• New Beginnings: The Making of Friday the 13th: A New Beginning
• Theatrical Trailer
• NEW! TV Spots (1080i upscaled, 4:20 total runtime).
• NEW! Movie Stills Gallery (1080i, 5:53): The images advance automatically. There is no musical accompaniment.
• NEW! Posters and Lobby Cards Gallery (1080i, 2:33): Images and ads from around the world.
• NEW! Fangoria Articles: Accessible only via PC Blu-ray drive.

Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Friday the 13th: Part V - A New Beginning feels fresh, somehow, even if it's a continuation of standard formula. Maybe it's the somewhat more inventive kills, perhaps its the continuity with The Final Chapter, or it might jut be a pretty solid Slasher film with a surprise in store for its audience. It's a good, well paced watch and Shout! Factory has done well by it. Rock-solid 1080p video and 5.1 lossless audio headline, and three commentary tracks lead a strong supplemental package. Highly recommended.