Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Ghoulies Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 27, 2017

A young couple, Jonathan (Peter Liapis) and Becky (Lisa Pelikan), moves into an old house. There's a grave on-site, some rats in the woodwork, and old books locked away in a chest in the cellar. Jonathan finds himself drawn towards some of those books, which tout and teach the dark arts. He becomes immersed and summons a number of hellish creatures to do his bidding. He becomes drunk with his newfound powers. But the consequences for himself, his loved ones, his friends, and the greater world around him are larger and darker than he could have ever imagined.

The Ghoulie Master

Ghoulies was something of a no-no movie back in the day, the kind of movie that would draw the wandering eyes and mind and curiosity of young video rental store patrons but that always had that stigma of "forbidden fruit" about it, the kind of movie the grandparents would never allow their grandchild to rent. And for good reason. The movie lives up to the darker wares it promises. Black magic, nasty creatures, and lots of blood and gore are the movie's hallmarks. But it's also quite weird and fairly empty as a movie. It shows little value beyond its quality practical effects. Story and particularly characters don't matter all that much. It's serviceably entertaining but remains a cult classic for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the "toilet" advertising and how easy it is to appreciate its bonafides as a high quality example of a low-rent movie, particularly in this day-and-age of characterless bottom feeders. Ghoulies may not be a good movie, but it shows a lot of heart and soul, anyway. And that goes a long way in making up for its other shortcomings.

Ghoulies Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Ghoulies released back in 1984 in the good old days of film. The image is fairly healthy and pleasing, maintaining a quality filmic presentation that certainly doesn't live up to the format's best but that does serve the film well. Grain is generally pleasing and modest, spiking and growing in snowy density in lower light scenes. Speaking of, black levels struggle to hold good depth, often appearing brighter than is ideal, whether shadows or dark clothes. Details are strong enough, including skin and clothes, the well-worn house, or the slimy, bumpy, grotesque creatures that are the film's stars. Colors hold mostly neutral and satisfy, even without a significant level of nuance and punch. Skin tones hold rather firm, pushing only mildly pasty and pale.

Ghoulies Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Ghoulies features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, but one wouldn't really know it if the disc didn't say so. The track struggles to expand width-wise along the front, cramping music and effects up the middle with an occasionally decent push towards the sides but not often yielding a prodigious sense of width. Back channels are rarely utilized in any meaningful way. The low end does pick up a bit of depth in some of the more intensive moments. Dialogue is clear, center-focused, and well prioritized.

Ghoulies Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Ghoulies contains several extras, including a commentary track, a high quality retrospective, a trailer, and a still gallery.

• Audio Commentary: Director Luca Bercovici shares his thoughts on the film.
• "From Toilets to Terror:" The Making of Ghoulies (1080p, 29:49): A fascinating retrospective piece examining the film and the movie market at the time it was released and how it has evolved today.
• Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 1:55).
• Still Gallery (1080i, 3:32).

Ghoulies Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ghoulies is a fun throwback, not really a good movie in the traditional sense but an entertaining little cult/party movie and a good example of a time when lower budget was done right. This Blu-ray, which is available both in a bundle with Ghoulies II and in the Empire Pictures Collection, offers good video, serviceable audio, and a few quality supplements. Recommended.