6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Having grown sick and tired of his centuries as Dracula's lackey, Renfield finds a new lease on life — and maybe even redemption — when he falls for feisty, perennially angry traffic cop Rebecca Quincy.
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Shohreh AghdashlooHorror | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS-HD HR 7.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
It's not as if the world of Dracula in cinema has been a staple of consistency in tone, style, or narrative devices: quite the contrary. The character has starred in classic films, blockbuster films, exploitation films, comedy films, teen films, and the list goes on and on...and on some more. So, it should come as no surprise that in 2023 Renfield arrives, a derivative and foul-mouthed gorefest about...not much, really, beyond splattering the screen with blood. The film aims to take a bite out of Dracula lore by bridging the gap from the early days of the character to today, but the film suffers from overindulgence that relegates story to second place in favor of the visceral elements that drown out any effort to world and character build along the way.
Renfield's 1080p transfer is solid top to bottom. There is some source noise to contended with in places, but beyond that the image is stable and enjoyable. Clarity is excellent. The digital photography produces complex details that reveal all of the practical gore for all it's worth, enough to send more squeamish viewers to the bathroom. Facial details, clothing seams, and location details also thrive, offering excellent tactile definition, but the main attraction here in terms of visual robustness is certainly the messy, complex gore. Colors are bold and vivid, including, of course, blood (and lots of it). The full spectrum delivers intense but accurate tones that leap off the screen with fullness and faithfulness. Black level depth is terrific, too, and skin tones look very good through a broad spectrum, including Cage's pale Dracula face.
Universal brings Renfield to life on Blu-ray with a rather striking DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is wonderful, offering substantial surround extension with both discrete and motion elements in play. Sounds routinely zip and zing, swoosh and swing through every inch of the stage. Action scenes offer substantial immersion. Listeners will never feel as if they are watching the film from the periphery but rather engaged directly throughout the stage. Clarity to these motion elements is wonderful, and the track handles balance and placement with consistent excellence. Musical depth and detail are wonderful, too, with the front right and left channels carrying the bulk. Surrounds heft some of the material, too, again in excellent balance. Atmosphere is nicely defined in quieter moments, and dialogue is clear, centered, and well prioritized throughout.
This Blu-ray release of Renfield contains several extras. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with
purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.
Renfield does not strive for much beyond pushing sight and sound to extremes. Audiences looking for a gore- and raunch-fest will find it here, but those looking for a more substantial Dracula picture need look elsewhere. One cannot really blast Renfield for being so empty considering the wide range of other fairly derivative films within the character's long and storied cinema career, so in many ways Renfield is simply filling another void in the ever-expanding world of Dracula on the silver screen. Universal's Blu-ray is well rounded, offering rock-solid video and audio paired with a fair allotment of extras. Fans will enjoy this Blu-ray release.
2013
2023
2010
2019
2019
2018
1983
2016
2013
2011
2001
Dracula / Warner Archive Collection
1958
2016
2019
The Legend of Blood Castle | Standard Edition | Ceremonia sangrienta
1973
2016
1969
2014
1993
2014