Killer Workout Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		0.5
Audio		2.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		2.0

Killer Workout Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 20, 2015

In slasher cinema, the public has been exposed to various weaponry over the years, including axes, knives, and chainsaws. 1987’s “Killer Workout” takes a bold step and makes a giant safety pin the object of certain doom. The pin is one of many oddities that fill writer/director David A. Prior’s picture (titled “Aerobicide” on the disc), which blends the horror of murder with the gyration of brightly clothed (and briefly unclothed) bodies, tapping into an exercise craze with a B-movie offering that’s desperate to entertain.

Trouble hounds Rhonda’s Workout, a spa devoted to perfecting bodies. A serial killer is on the loose, targeting beautiful people, while a dedicated cop is on the case, working through suspects and gathering clues while the body count rises. Prior isn’t about the challenge the formula, alternating between physical confrontations and stalking sequences, watching an unknown murderer mow through the clientele, favoring the aforementioned novelty safety pin to help slaughter semi-innocents. Suspense is non-existent, but Prior has fun with the kills, paying homage to “Psycho” and generally attempting to mastermind tension with a limited budget, perhaps too reliant on his limited cast to conjure necessary levels of fear.

Killer Workout Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Unlike some studios, Slasher Video is up front about the quality of their "Killer Workout" Blu-ray release. The AVC encoded image (1080i, 1.30:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from "PAL Beta SP and upconverted to Blu-ray," making the viewing experience greatly disappointing for those hoping for a full HD event. Going by what this disc has to offer, "Killer Workout" doesn't spark to life onscreen, boasting limp colors and a general absence of pure blacks. Detail doesn't stand a chance here, and artifacts are present throughout. More specific problems emerge at the 27:00 mark, where resolution drops significantly for a scene (the last two screencaps detail this hiccup), and at the 31:00 mark, a strobe-like effect flickers onscreen for a few seconds. Obviously, this is not an ideal release, and for fans of the movie who've avoided a DVD purchase, the Blu essentially offers the same quality with a slightly refreshed presence.

Killer Workout Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix follows the visual lead, arriving in a scattered state that's mostly focused on functionality, not definition. Dialogue exchanges are muddy, and while intelligibility remains, clarity is missing, keeping highs and lows dulled. Soundtrack cuts are plentiful, but also lack crispness, finding instrumentation barely detectable. The overall listening experience is quieter, with the condition of the source and the production's inherent limitations requiring some volume riding to explore (word of advice to prevent a heart attack: remember to turn the sound back down before returning to the main menu). PAL speedup isn't obvious, but the packaging lists an 85 minute run time, and the movie actually clocks in at 82:15.

Killer Workout Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Photo Gallery (8:25) presents various stills, VHS boxes, and promotional materials for study, also offering a look at the Betacam tape source for the Blu-ray.

• "Original 'Killer Workout' Title Sequence" (:42, SD) is a brief look at an alternate opening.

• And a Trailer (2:10, SD) is included.

Killer Workout Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Killer Workout" is goofy stuff, but enjoyable, eased along by a decent trash-synth soundtrack and a parade of wiggling bodies in tight close-ups (Prior knows his audience). Its technical achievements leave much to be desired, but camp ultimately wins out, leaving true appreciation for "Killer Workout" to those in the mood for thickly defined performances, feeble suspense, and swaying breasts.