Krampus Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Krampus Blu-ray Movie Review

All is not calm.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 16, 2016

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If Santa Claus plops down the chimney bearing a sack full of gifts for all of the "nice" kids, a lump of coal in the stocking isn't exactly "equal and opposite" for the "naughty" kids. No, if the unbridled joy of Christmas morning -- that blissful payoff for 365 straight days of good behavior rewarded with lots of toys and goodies (and only a few pair of socks) -- is "nice," then the ultimate in fear and suffering must be the opposite. The legend of "Krampus" hails from old Eastern European folklore. It's said to be a demonic figure that punishes those who, say, "lack the Christmas spirit." The creature is the subject of its namesake movie Krampus, Director Michael Dougherty's (Trick 'r Treat) ode to days-gone-by Christmastime fright film in which a family that's all but forgotten the holiday's joys is hunted down on a snowy and blustery Christmas eve.

Christmas in crisis.

Max (Emjay Anthony) loves Christmas and he still believes in Santa Claus. It seems like the rest of the world, however, does not. He violently defends the traditional Christmas spirit, but all it really gets him is a black eye. He pens a letter to Santa, pleading that things might return to the way they once were, when everyone believed and the season meant more than fighting over products in a store and entertaining tradition just because. Things take a turn for the worse when Max's extended family comes to visit. Things don't go well, and he's further mocked for his beliefs. In a fit of frustration, he tears up his letter to Santa and literally throws the remnants to the wind. Bad idea. A major storm rolls in that blankets the town in a crippling snow and knocks out the power. Max's sister Beth (Stefania LaVie Owen) foolishly leaves the house to search for her boyfriend. When she doesn't return, Max's father Tom (Adam Scott) and his gun-toting uncle Howard (David Koechner) go on the search but come face-to-face with a foe they cannot believe, a foe that has its sights set on the family home and everyone in it.

Imagine Home Alone meets Christmas Vacation meets Zathura meets Gremlins with a creepy, somewhat violent, and chillingly sadistic Poltergeist-like edge and get a pretty good idea of what Krampus has to offer. The movie isn't particularly frightening in a bone-chilling, spine-tingling sort of way, but it's immensely effective in a claustrophobic sort of way as the family is closed off inside the house, facing either an unknown enemy inside or a hopeless wasteland of a snowy, frigid environment outside. The film blends action and mysticism, chills and an anti-Christmas spirit that's very effective. It's well paced and engaging in all areas, in its establishing first act -- the movie does a great job of efficiently introducing characters, relationship, and dynamics even through the chaos of the family get-together -- its developing second, and its all-out mayhem third. It's sort of like a Christmas-themed haunted house ride.

The movie opens with one of the coolest -- literally and figuratively -- Universal logos ever. It then establishes its anti-Christmas tone with an entertaining barrage of Black Friday-like hysteria, and why not: nothing spells out just the sort of raucous, frenzied mayhem that's anything but in the Christmas spirt than that, the perfect opening for the anti-Santa to come bearing its own brand of blackened chaos. Director Michael Dougherty knows just how to manipulate the story and the audience, to set just the right tone and establish just the right atmosphere for the movie. He does so with an effortless blend of serious storytelling, approachable humor, and dark matter that's easy to approach but frightening to witness. His cast is also effective. Most every character enjoys superb development that never feels forced or overdone. Even most of the secondary characters are effortlessly constructed and their place in the movie is well defined. Emjay Anthony impresses in the lead role as a boy who still clings to the Christmas spirit that's dissipated around him, both within his own home and in the wider world around him. He demonstrates a keen understanding of the movie's darker themes and his character's more hopeful state of mind and evolution throughout the film. Adam Scott and Toni Collette are enjoyable as his parents, and the ever-reliable David Koechner nails the part of the gun-toting uncle, finding just the right balance between serious and playful.

Krampus Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Krampus features a consistently well defined and accurate 1080p transfer. The digital source photography results in a picture that's a little flat and smooth but never inorganic or lacking texture. Max's reindeer costume is particularly tactile, as are ball caps, Christmas decorations, baked goods, and other odds and ends around the house. Basic facial features, such as makeup, freckles, and wrinkles, appear with well-defined texturing. Creature effects are likewise tangibly robust, particularly the practical pieces. Colors are cheerful, most notably in the more brightly lit first act. The slow motion commotion of the black friday sequence to start the movie, inside a well lit superstore, shines. Warmer accents and cheery Christmas colors in the home are splendid. Much of the rest of the movie takes place in lower light and nighttime conditions. Black levels hold firm and details never waver. Flesh tones are consistent in all scenes. Minor noise and a hint of aliasing appear, as do a few softer, smearier edges, but overall this is a pleasant and enjoyable transfer from Universal.

Krampus Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Krampus features an enjoyably active, vigorous, and immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Much of the film's first act is left to get by on light music, tepid atmospherics, and straightforward dialogue. Things explode afterwards and rarely settle. The highlight is blustery cold winds that punish the soundstage, whirling through with nearly enough force, it sometimes seems, that the unforgiving atmosphere might just explode through the speakers and actually chill the listening area. Its arrival comes with booming and rolling thunder that emanates from all over and pushes effortlessly through the stage. Various bits of chaotic battle and mayhem spring from every speaker, completely engulfing the listener in anti-Christmas mayhem. Gun blasts are deep and dominant. Screams pierce the stage and evil guffaws, crashes, clanks, and other assorted bits of demonic madness prove eerily entraining and believably lifelike. Music is rich and well spaced. Dialogue flows from the center with terrific prioritization and clarity, even during pitch battles with gingerbread men and other scary creatures.

Krampus Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Krampus contains a nice assortment of extra content, including a commentary, deleted and extended scenes, an alternate ending, and featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.

• Alternate Ending (1080p, 1:24).
• Deleted/Extended Scenes (1080p): Family Photos (0:59), Checking In (0:38), Bump in the Night (2:09), Emergency Warning (1:00), Beth Search (0:36), Are You Jealous? (2:49), Squirrels (0:28), Doesn't Add Up (0:32), Holiday Confessions (2:07), Almost Had Him (1:00), Waiting Game (2:04), Around the Fireplace (0:59), Staircase (1:11), and Locked Out (1:12).
• Gag Reel (1080p, 5:15).
• Krampus Comes Alive! (1080p): A five-part feature.
  
  
  • Dougherty's Vision (3:09): Director Michael Dougherty discusses the real Krampus legend while cast and crew discuss the movie's tone and influences.
  • The Naughty Ones: Meet the Cast (4:49): A quick run-through of the main characters and the actors who portray them, with emphasis on cast camaraderie and shooting the large family collective scenes.
  • Krampus and His Minions (12:06): A detailed look at the practical costumes and performances that brought the movie's villains to life.
  • Practical Danger (5:03): An examination of the real, on-set stunt work and visual effects that support the movie.
  • Inside the Snow Globe: Production Design (4:49): Making the snowy neighborhood and the director's hope for the movie's legacy.
• Behind the Scenes at Weta Workshop: Krampus (1080p, 9:54): Cast and crew run through the plot, but the piece's main focus is a closer look at the costumes and practical effects seen in the movie.
• Galleries (1080p): A collection of five subsets of still images. Included are Theatrical Poster Art, Creature Art, Story Art, Michael Dougherty Christmas Card Art, and Storyboards.
• Audio Commentary: Director-Co-Writer Michael Dougherty and Co-Writers Todd Casey & Zach Shields cover a lot of the material already outlined in the extras above but shed some light on plenty of anecdotal stories from the shoot, technical insights, the movie's structure, performances, and more. Fans should enjoy what the participants have to say.

Krampus Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Krampus shoots right towards the top of the best of the creepy Christmas sub genre. It's not a traditional "Horror" movie, though, more like a Christmas "Survival" film with Horror elements. But whatever one wishes to call it, it's a fun, enjoyable ride. Character development is a highlight, tone and pace are just right, the visuals are excellent, and the movie is a pleasure to watch at any time of year. Universal's Blu-ray is equally great. Strong video, reference audio, and a high quality assortment of extra goodies make this a must-own release. It probably won't wind up on the end-of-year top ten list, but it'll definitely squeeze into the honorable mentions. Highly recommended.