Killer! Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Killer! Blu-ray Movie Review

Killer! is an entertaining cult horror film. Executive produced by Skip McPhail Jr., Killer! provides audiences with plenty of low-budget charm. The low-budget feature film was made on a small, independent production budget.

The budget was only $8,000. Produced by Tony Elwood (Road-Kill U.S.A., Cold Storage) and Tony Locklear (Road-Kill U.S.A.), Killer! was shot entirely on 8mm film and the low-cost of the film made it an ideal choice for making a film that kept the authentic look of cinema – on a shoestring budget, no less – while exceling as an independent horror film.

Killer! was first released in 1990 and it retains a strong 80s aesthetic. Duke Ernsberger stars as the serial killer. Co-starring Andy Boswell, Keith Liles, Mark Creter, Terry Loughlin, Jeffrey Pillars, and Dean Whitworth. Killer! provides plenty of low-fi horror fun.

A lone man (Duke Ernsberger) is transformed into a monstrous serial killer with a bloodthirst for violence and chaos. The serial killer is interested in killing as many people as possible and craves human flesh – turning to cannibalism. After a strange youth and a series of medical experiments gone wrong, the serial killer devolves rapidly into cannibalism and murder.

The killer is now on the hunt for his next victim, determined to kill and devour the flesh. As victim-after-victim befall the cannibalistic serial killer, the stakes continue to raise. Can anyone stop the rampaging killer from killing again before it is too late?

Duke Ernsberger is impressive as the stone-cold serial killer. The cannibalistic serial killer is out for new thrills and more soon-to-be victims. As Killer! unfolds, Duke Ernsberger enjoys the role and provides an exciting sense of adrenaline to the performance. Wearing shades and seeking out victims, the role offers the actor a chance to delve into the psyche of a serial killer. The performance is better than expect and the actor certainly enjoys the role – even if he occasionally hams it up, too.

Edited by John Autry (Road-Kill U.S.A.), Killer! is a well-paced horror-thriller. Part of the fun of Killer! is found in the energetic editing style. There are some fast-paced sequences in the later-half of the film that rely heavily on the editing. The pacing is impressive and the action-thriller elements vibe well with the horror sequences.

The score composed by Leslie Mizzell (Southern Belles, Road-Kill U.S.A.) works well for the feature-film. The score highlights the action-thriller elements and the horror underpinnings, too. The score to Killer! balances both elements of the feature.

The cinematography by Ula Vosmire is one of the best components of the filmmaking. The visuals are great for a low-budget 8mm production. Considering the shoestring budget and the limitations the filmmakers had to work with, the efforts of the cinematographer are impressive for 8mm film. A worthwhile effort by Vosmire and it helps to showcase the energy of the filmmaking well.

Written by Mark Kimray (Cold Storage, Road-Kill U.S.A.), Killer! isn’t the best script in some respects. Killer! is an okay script and one that works well for the genre. The dialogue is sometimes clunky. A number of scenes could have been a bit better with better dialogue work. Nonetheless, the story certainly works well to create a sense of excitement and tension.

Directed by Tony Elwood (Road-Kill U.S.A., Cold Storage), Killer! is a unique horror film – it walks a line between horror and thriller in equal parts. Director Elwood has a lot of fun with the concept and the exploration of a deranged, cannibalistic serial killer determined to find more victims. Elwood makes Killer! an adventurous film and one that showcases the sadistic side of the serial killer in good measure. Fans of low-budget independent horror films will certainly want to consider seeing Killer! as it provides some good entertainment value for horror fans.

Killer! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Terror Vision, Killer! is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.36:1. Terror Vision has proudly restored the feature-film from the original camera negative. The 8mm footage has received a strong restoration effort.

Killer! was originally edited on tape and going back to the original camera negative allowed for the film to receive a significant resolution boost – even with the confines of 8mm cinematography. Due to the nature of the original edit being completed on tape, Terror Vision had to go-back and edit the credits (and provides updated high-definition credits to accompany the new restoration). The new high-definition credits look impressive and are well integrated into the footage sourced from the original camera negative.

Given how soft 8mm footage inherently can be, don't expect a make-over miracle that looks as crisp as a modern high-definition production but it looks great considering the source footage. Colors are decent and well-reproduced as well (even if some sequences look a bit less saturated than desired). Terror Vision did an admirable job restoring the film. The type of restoration work being done helps with preserving rare and cult genre films. A testament to the importance of Terror Vision as a boutique Blu-ray label.

Killer! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The 24-bit lossless audio sounds admirably pleasing for an 8mm production and provides a solid reproduction of the original feature audio. The audio isn't perfectly crisp or clear here and it shows some wear inherent on the tapes. This is an unfortunate source issue.

The audio on the release isn't as dynamic as the 2K restoration transfer. Nonetheless, still a solid audio encode and one that feels faithful to the low-budget nature of the film. Despite some of the limitations to the audio source, Terror Vision provides a faithful audio track encode. The release also includes newly created captions are also provided on the release as an option. It is nice to see so much effort being put into adding these types of options on releases.

Killer! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release provides an exceptionally designed o-card slipcover. The slipcover artwork is fantastic and it immediately makes a strong impression. The cover-art design certainly stands out as something great. The cover-art would have made a terrific impression in video-store shelves back in the heyday of the video-store era.

Terror Vision also provides an impressive cover art design for the sleeve under the slipcover. The cover-art underneath the slipcover is unique from the slipcover artwork. The inner sleeve art also includes inside art. These design elements add an extra degree of quality to the packaging and it makes the release feel even more special in hand and when on display on the shelf.

Audio Commentary with Tony Elwood, Tony Locklear, Mark Kimray, Andy Boswell, Keith Liles, and Mark Creter

Original VHS Presentation (SD, 1:20:52) showcases the original release presentation. For those interested in comparing to the new 2K restoration of the original camera negative, looking at the footage from the original VHS transfer makes for an interesting opportunity for comparison. The new 2K restoration from the camera negative looks far superior to the picture-quality provided on this original VHS transfer of the feature-film.

Making Of Killer (HD, 9:16) explores the production of the Killer! feature-film.

The Actors Speak Out (HD, 8:22) highlights the actors of Killer!

Bloopers and Outtakes (HD, 6:20) from Killer!

Trailers (HD, 4:35)

Behind the Scenes – Dumb Thirty Featurette (HD, 9:15) provides more behind-the-scenes material for fans of Killer!

Transferring 2K (HD, 11:37) explores the restoration process.

Killer! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Killer! is an exciting horror-thriller and one that has gained a cult following over the years. The feature-film has impressive aspirations. Duke Ernsberger delivers a solid performance as a cannibalistic serial killer.

The Blu-ray release features an impressive restoration of the original camera negative. The 2K restoration stays true to the 8mm source material footage. The Blu-ray release also includes a plethora of supplemental features. The release has extensive bonus features for fans of the film. The first print of the release also includes a stunningly designed o-card slipcover. Fans of Terror Vision will certainly want to add the release to their collection. Highly recommended.