5.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Based on the IDW Publishing graphic novel written by Steve Niles, Remains is set in a chilling post-apocalyptic Reno, Nevada and follows the survivors of a bizarre accident that reduced most of the world's population to zombies. The group takes refuge in a vacant casino and fights a losing battle against the undead, who grow steadily stronger, smarter and more aggressive by the minute.
Starring: Grant Bowler, Evalena Marie, Miko Hughes, Lance Reddick, Tawny CypressHorror | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
So much for "peace" day.
Steve Niles' Remains might be better titled Casino of the Dead, but that would be a minor insult to George Romero's films,
those Zombie films that actually did something with the plot and the characters, that trail-blazed what is today its own industry, that made a
Pittsburgh, PA native into a god amongst zombie aficionados. Remains, a solid but forgettable little Zombie flick, settles to recycle genre
elements and populate its world with stock characters. The film boasts ample gore and a few decent surprises, but is otherwise a watchable but
redundant cash-in sort of movie, albeit one based on Niles' own original comic works set in a zombie-infested dystopian Reno, Nevada. But never mind
the setting, the people, the action, the violence, and the zombies; Remains plays as straightforward as they come, a picture with minimal
depth, a serviceable picture in a world of all-things-zombie where "new" is life and "novel" is pretty much dead.
Creative.
Steve Niles' Remains chews into Blu-ray with a satisfying, usually crisp 1080p transfer. There are a handful of softer shots, but details often appear very well defined and film-natural, particularly in brighter scenes where facial lines and stubble, clothing, and odds and ends around the casino -- such as metallic appliances in the kitchen area -- appear with quality definition and natural accuracy. The sharp details allow audiences to get good looks at zombie makeup and gory shots as well, one area where films such as this really benefit from a proper Blu-ray release. Likewise, colors impress for the most part and under the better lighting conditions in particular. There's an ever-so-slight look of a washed-out palette, but a vaguely gritty, dangerous appearance is balanced with stable shades on clothes and surfaces, making for a rather nice Zombie movie image. Lower light and downright dark scenes, on the other hand, veer towards overwhelming blacks and crush. On the flip side, flesh tones appear accurate. A moderate grain field remains throughout, though a good deal of noise creeps into darker scenes. There's no overpowering banding, blockiness, or other trouble areas of which to speak. For a rather low budget film, Remains looks quite nice on Blu-ray.
Unfortunately, Steve Niles' Remains arrives on Blu-ray with no multi-channel lossless soundtrack, featuring only a DTS-HD MA 2.0 lossless presentation. The good news is that track pulls its weight, the bad news is that audiences will never feel quite satisfied with the results or immersed into the chaotic world of an overrun and zombie-infested Reno. On the plus side, front-end spacing impresses. Music flows nicely across and plays with fair clarity, energy, and spatial precision. There's a fair low end sensation as well. Screams of dying or fighting humans and general zombie moans play with suitable crispness and sonic accuracy. Distant gunfire creates a cool-sounding atmosphere, while up-front, close-in shots play with average intensity and precision, whether rattling automatic weapons or booming shotguns. Dialogue is usually focused and clean, but at times sounds a little distressed and occasionally hovering above the material rather than sounding as if it's right there with the characters. Additionally, words occasionally seem to drift away from the center of the listening area rather than remain in the middle. On the whole, however, the track most certainly gets the job done, though a wider, more immersive presentation is always preferable, particularly for a movie of this variety.
Steve Niles' Remains features a commentary track, a blooper reel, and some short advertisements and other previews for the film.
Steve Niles' Remains offers serviceable zombie-themed entertainment, no more and no less. It's competently assembled and acted to baseline proficiency. The story leaves much to be desired, and the gore and action scenes are unspectacularly fine. There are much, much better zombie movies out there, and there are much, much worse zombie movies out there. Yet in a genre becoming as cluttered as this, the middle ground isn't the worst place to be. Genre fans will likely eat this one up and even causal viewers might have some fun with it, but don't expect a genre-defining experience. Shout! Factory's Blu-ray release of Steve Niles' Remains features good video, alright audio, and some supplements. Worth a rental, and genre aficionados might want to consider a buy at the right price.
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