Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Red Mist Blu-ray Movie Review

Does 'Red Mist' translate well to Blu?

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 10, 2009

Do not resuscitate.

Red Mist, also known by the title Freakdog, is a standard but not at all disappointing medical Horror/Thriller picture from Director Paddy Breathnach (Shrooms). The film follows the same basic structure as any number of teenager/young adult Horror pictures, but does posit an interesting premise that balances out an otherwise clichéd approach. Perhaps best described as I Know What You Did Last Summer meets Wes Craven's Shocker, Red Mist makes for a rather strong, but not particularly excellent, genre picture that features a fair share of gore and the usual grouping of characters that don't particularly make for very good Slasher movie fodder since none of them are the least bit likable or even all that memorable from one scene to the next. Still, Red Mist delivers a slightly-above-average Horror picture that genre aficionados will at least want to check out.

A 3??!! That's it??!!

A group of snobbish medical students at Fort Haven General Hospital are about to be faced with their greatest challenge. It comes not from tests, texts, or extended hours in residency, but an ethical dilemma that could cost them their careers. When the slow and somewhat perverted Kenneth (Andrew Lee Potts) is ridiculed by the group after he approaches Catherine (Arielle Kebbel), the only one that demonstrates any sort of sympathy towards him, he reveals video evidence that incriminates the group in their possession of illegal narcotics in violation of the hospital's zero-tolerance policy. In response, Kenneth is fooled into swallowing the drugs, mixed with an alcoholic beverage. Soon thereafter he falls into a comatose state, and the group -- to Catherine's objections -- chooses to dump his body in hopes that it will be found and cared for. It is, and when Catherine discovers that Kenneth is to be taken off life support, she surreptitiously injects him with an experimental drug meant to revive comatose patients, but the drug instead has a decidedly horrific side-effect.

Like so many of its kind, Red Mist begins with a slick, attention-grabbing opening sequence that's well-shot, shrouded in mystery, and sets a nice pace for both the film's visual style and thematic tone. Whereas many such opening sequences turn out to be for naught as an insipid, dulled, and unoriginal movie plays out afterward, Red Mist actually lives up to the quality of its open, the picture delivering a rather captivating and brisk 85-minute Thriller with Horror overtones that's not destined to become the next great classic but certainly strong enough to enjoy and even compliment every major aspect of its existence. Red Mist is a Medical Thriller with bite; a standard motif of revenge is offset by a decent idea that may or may not be grounded in any sort of concrete medical science but does make for a nice change of pace in a genre that's not exactly known for thinking outside the box. Red Mist doesn't tear through the box, but it dabbles around the periphery, and that alone is enough to warrant some attention.

Unfortunately, the film lacks much suspense once the crux of the plot is realized. Additionally, Red Mist isn't particularly atmospheric, but neither of these observations too terribly diminish the film's generally solid and engaging story. Additionally, and like any good revenge-minded film, Red Mist does well to blur the line between hero and villain. The script never lets any one character off the hook, each in some way deplorable and/or guilty of some misdeed or another. Kenneth, despite his voyeurism, is made into something of a sympathetic character based solely on the harsh and, voyeurism aside, undeserved treatment he receives. His plight is aided tremendously by a strong and disappointingly short-lived performance from Andrew Lee Potts who is generally seen only in a comatose state throughout the film. Red Mist also looks at the dangers of over-indulgence, self-centeredness, and general rude and crude behavior, the students' lack of ethics and me-first attitude certainly seeming to fly against all the medical profession supposedly stands for. Finally, a strong plot twist in the final act completes the guilty/innocent circle nicely, rounding out a picture that holds up surprisingly well from beginning to end.

Red Mist Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Red Mist debuts on Blu-ray with a decent high definition presentation. The 1.78:1-framed 1080p transfer is limited to the source; shot on high definition video, the film lacks much in the way of texture, and the absence of abundant color limits the transfer's ability to shine. Indeed, much of the film is bathed in shadows and darkened locations, with only the hospital's excessively bright white walls and blue accents providing the bulk of the color, lending to the film a cold, lifeless, sterile feel. Whites can appear overpowering in many scenes, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, black crush can be an issue. Additionally, slight banding is present. Detail is moderately appealing, but the film lacks distinct textures and instead takes on an artificial, plastic, and flat appearance with soft edges and lifeless flesh tones. Nevertheless, Red Mist doesn't look too terribly bad at any given time; it's certainly no Star Trek, but for a small-budget film shot on video and an equally inexpensive Blu-ray release, it's about as-expected.

Red Mist Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Red Mist awakens on Blu-ray with a suitable but ultimately lackluster Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack; no lossless or uncompressed options are available. Music isn't as strongly and clearly defined as it may have otherwise been; bass is decidedly lacking in heft, though several scenes do venture into the deeper bowels of the low end and offer something of a more pronounced but not abundantly clear and precise presentation. Surround use is practically non-existent; atmospherics are kept to a minimum and heard primarily across the front half of the soundstage. A bar scene in chapter one delivers a decent ambience where music and clanking glasses are heard off to the sides, though not with enough of a presence to realistically recreate the environment. Dialogue is suitably clear and precise, and echoing voices inside a basketball gym as heard in chapter three create a fair sense of space as syllables reverberate off the cavernous walls. Generally, however, this is a fair but no-frills lossy soundtrack and a missed opportunity for a better and more engaging high definition experience.

Red Mist Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

No extras -- not even a menu -- are included on this Blu-ray release of Red Mist.

Red Mist Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

An above-average Horror/Thriller with a good approach and fine twist ending, Red Mist, or Freakdog, is what good budget filmmaking is all about. A novel approach to old material, steady performances from the leads, and decent production values make Red Mist a picture that's aimed more at genre aficionados rather than mass audiences, but viewers more inclined to appreciate something that stretches the confined boundaries of the Horror genre might be pleasantly surprised with what Paddy Breathnach's picture has to offer. Unfortunately, this Starz Blu-ray release delivers only a slightly-above-average 1080p picture, a fair lossy soundtrack, and no extras. Regardless, fans may want to buy considering the title's aggressive pricing.