Idle Hands Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Idle Hands Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 15, 2020

1999’s “Idle Hands” tries to be something different, which is an admirable task, especially in the post-“Scream” horror marketplace, where everything was looking to be younger and hipper, aimed at a teenage demographic. It remains an adolescent adventure, filled with pot humor, broheim interactions, and sudden sexuality, but director Rodman Flender tries to buck a few trends by making his movie disgusting. He’s brought a large amount of bodily harm to “Idle Hands,” and that’s the good news. The bad news is the feature’s sense of humor and casting interests, which cripples what clearly wants to be a rip-roaring genre ride of unpredictable behavior and violent highlights.

A story of a pothead (Devon Sawa) and his possessed appendage, “Idle Hands” is simple enough to manage, with the screenplay by Terri Hughes Barton and Ron Milbauer setting up small stakes for the lead character. It’s more of a character piece, with the cursed teen joined by undead friends (Seth Green and Elden Henson) as they search for a way out of a messy situation. Flender spends most of his energy on gore zone visits, and when they’re not digitally manipulated, the gross-out shots are impressively executed, giving the feature an enjoyable level of icky texture to go with its vivid imagination for horrific incidents. It’s the film’s funny bone that’s debatable, as most of the heavy lifting for jokes is offered to actors not accustomed to scoring laughs, while Flender’s feel for slapstick lacks oomph, always showing more interest in grisly events.

For additional analysis, please read Michael Reuben’s 2013 review

Idle Hands Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Originally released by Image Entertainment in 2013, "Idle Hands" returns to Blu-ray courtesy of Shout Factory. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation appears to be the same scan as before, which looks a bit aged at times. Detail isn't erased, finding ghoulish textures remaining for gore zone visits, picking up on goopy flesh wounds and decay. Suburban tours enjoy depth, along with interior action. Costuming is mildly fibrous. Delineation periodically struggles with solidification. Colors are acceptable, offering brighter household decoration and teen clothing, while darker reds are showcased for bloodshed. Stylish lighting handles with greens and blues. Skintones are normal. Source is in fine shape.

Idle Hands Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers an immersive listening experience, finding surround activity compelling with neighborhood particulars and violent events, offering mild separation effects. Music pushes out some, with soundtrack selections and band performances comfortably authoritative, and scoring supplies crisp instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges are clean, securing often frantic performances and the occasional mumbled line-reading. Low-end brings out heavier beats. Sound effects are distinct, maintaining the grisly nature of all the bodily harm.

Idle Hands Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features actors Seth Green, Devon Sawa, Elden Henson, and Vivica A. Fox.

• Commentary #2 features director Rodman Flender, and actors Seth Green and Elden Henson.

• "Bloody Punk Fun" (12:42, HD) chats with director Rodman Flender, who shares that he replaced the original helmer of "Idle Hands," handed mere weeks to prepare for the shoot, which he immediately filled with style cribbed from other genre features, paying tribute to his influences. Casting is recalled, with Sawa's enthusiasm for the part saving the production money on special effects, and Flender filled a few backgrounds with cameos from cult horror movie actors. Cast and crew camaraderie was high during the shoot in Pasadena, situated near the locations from "Halloween," and Flender recounts his time with The Offspring, originally considering The Ramones for the band performance. Practical effects are highlighted, along with the original ending, which provided an explosive finale. Test screenings changed that, pushing the effort towards comedy instead of horror. And Flender addresses the controversy surrounding "Idle Hands," which was released a week after the Columbine High School Massacre.

• "Stoner Headspace" (9:42, HD) is an interview with Elden Henson, who recounts his audition for "Idle Hands" and his interactions with co-stars, instantly bonding with Seth Green, who helped the dramatic actor bring out his funny side. Henson recalls enjoying Flender's energy and his horror fandom, which put the actor in the makeup chair for hours as ornate special effects were constructed on his head. The interviewee examines his process to find his character, and he details the challenges of headless acting. A brief overview of the original ending is offered, and an appreciation for the cult legacy of "Idle Hands" is shared.

• "This Face, These Hands" (10:59, HD) spends time with Sean Whalen, who explores his breakthrough in Wes Craven's "The People Under the Stairs." The movie brought him some fame, helping to develop a fanbase for horror convention appearances. Memories of Flender are shared, with Whalen recalling permissiveness on-set with co-star Nicholas Sadler. Whalen goes into more detail about his work with makeup effects, which required patience due to long hours of application, and he shares his thoughts on the 1990s, which provided work opportunities for him, lamenting the loss of the "old Hollywood."

• "Sleight of Hand" (15:09, HD) is an interview with Christopher Hart, who portrays the demon hand in "Idle Hands." Hart presents his biography, tracking his upbringing in the world of magic, learning from the pros, finally putting his talents to the test in a Juice Newton video and scoring a role as Thing in "The Addams Family" movie. The interviewee recounts his audition for "Idle Hands" and the many production challenges he encountered, including working with complex special effects and dealing with nudity during a scene where the evil hand fondles a female breast. Hart also highlights his time with makeup artist Todd Tucker, collaborating with him to create the faceless character.

• "Written in Blood" (5:51, HD) talks with screenwriter Terri Burton, who recalls her position as a "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" writer in the 1990s, breaking out with partner Ron Milbauer to create "Idle Hands." While intending to make a comedy, Burton highlights Flender's efforts to add more gore to the feature. Script changes are mentioned, and alternate endings are explored, with the duo suddenly tasked with coming up with a cheap conclusion to "Idle Hands" when the expensive one tanked with test audiences.

• Alternate Ending (9:19, SD) returns to Flender during his DVD extras heyday as he shares the original, chaotic conclusion to "Idle Hands."

• Storyboard Comparison (3:04, SD) offers a split-screen viewing of two scenes from "Idle Hands."

• Behind the Scenes (6:00, SD) is the original EPK package from the release of the film, which contains cast and crew interviews, along with BTS footage.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:26, SD) is included.

Idle Hands Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Idle Hands" has developed a fan base over the last two decades (it flopped hard during its initial release), with many drawn to its blend of stoner humor and horror set pieces. Labor is there for examination as Flender works to generate an amiable nightmare for the lead character, who not only has to contend with a dead hand, but an interested member of the opposite sex (Jessica Alba). Flender has the motivation, but his direction isn't snappy, leaving the feature to sag substantially when it's trying to be funny. Bloody is where it's at. Not quippy.