6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A weary ex-vampire hunter moves into a run-down housing estate, and contends with a ghoulish collection of bloodsuckers, ghosts, and zombies. Once upon a time, Chin Siu-ho was a famous actor who slew vampires on the side. These days Chin's bank account is empty, and his family won't talk to him. Deeply despondent, he checks into room 2442 of a dilapidated tower block with the full intention of taking his own life. Chin's suicidal ambitions are quickly thwarted, however, when he crosses paths with his eccentric new neighbors, which include a powerful Taoist exorcist, a deeply-troubled housewife and an old lady with a morbid flair for interior design. It doesn't take Chin long to realize that something terrible is unfolding before his frightened eyes, and as the dead begin to rise, the battle against the forces of darkness begins.
Starring: Siu-Ho Chin, Anthony Chan (I), Kara Ying Hung Wai, Richard Ng, Hee Ching PawForeign | 100% |
Horror | 94% |
Supernatural | 20% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.38:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Cantonese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Cantonese: Dolby Digital 2.0
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Many horror fans may think of outings like the original versions of films like The Ring and The Grudge when asked to detail Asian entries in this genre, but Rigor Mortis, a stylish if somewhat vapid Hong Kong film helmed by actor and musician Juno Mak, actually harkens back to a somewhat earlier era of Asian horror cinema. Much like the horror idiom the United States, a genre which saw (for example) a glut of slasher films in the late seventies through the eighties, Asian cinema has had its own mini-epochs of subgenres, including the goofy Mr. Vampire franchise that became a staple in Hong Kong film from the mid-eighties onward. Those who are unfamiliar with Mr. Vampire may not get some of the subtext of Rigor Mortis, but even those folks may be thinking of something completely different as they watch the story of a once popular horror film actor battle various supernatural phenomena in a dank, industrial tenement complex. After a brief prologue which introduces this initially nameless actor (played by Mr. Vampire stalwart Chin Siu-ho) in what appears to be the aftermath of some major carnage, the film flashes back to Chin arriving at the oppressively gray high rise. Chin is let into his room and promptly attempts to commit suicide by hanging himself. As he “dances” in seizures at the end of the rope, he’s apparently saved by one of the apartment house’s other residents, but fans of the Ambrose Bierce short story “An Incident at Owl Creek Bridge” (later made into an Academy Award winning short film which aired as an episode of The Twilight Zone) may be forgiven for thinking there may be more here than meets the eye (or the badly scarred neck). Despite this perhaps intentional allusion, Rigor Mortis probably ultimately owes more to tropes favored by one of its producers, Takashi Shimizu (the original The Grudge), for the film is awash in things like scraggly haired waifs who suddenly reach out and “touch” unsuspecting residents of the complex.
Rigor Mortis is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Well Go USA with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.38:1. Shot digitally with the Red Epic, this film has been aggressively color graded in post in a variety of really interesting ways. A lot of the film is almost monochromatic, playing out in shades of dank gray, albeit with little bursts of color thrown in which automatically pop simply because they're surrounded by such relatively bland backgrounds. At other times, there's a jaundiced yellow sheen overlaying the film, but it's not that rich amber color which tends to denote a summery, relaxed vibe. Instead, it's almost like a malfunctioning fluorescent light, adding an almost garish hue to certain scenes. Mak and his DP Ng Kai-Ming play with individual items within the frame, highlighting an alabaster ring or an expanding pool of blood while the bulk of the image is virtually colorless. All of this is obviously intentionally "arty", and may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it gives Rigor Mortis a really interesting look, and one that looks crisp and compelling in high definition. Fine detail is exceptional, even in radically filtered scenes like one that is absolutely drenched in a deep red color (see screenshot 4). Some of the CGI is intentionally on the soft side, including weird little tendrils that emanate from two twin spectral spirits. Contrast has been intentionally pushed, making lighter gradients bloom at times. The only real issue of note here is some readily apparent banding, which may result from the pushed whites (it's most noticeable when the image is brightest, as in a scene when the camera pans up in a floridly lit stairway after a body has dropped several stories). Otherwise, though, this is a fantastic looking film and Blu-ray.
As is often the case with Well Go USA releases, Rigor Mortis has both Cantonese and English tracks available in DTS- HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0. The 5.1 tracks are the obvious choice here, and the good news is the English dub is rather facile, as these things go. Both of the 5.1 mixes are virtually identical in terms of excellent surround activity, great (often quite creepy) foley effects (the "squiggling" sound when the tendrils emanate from the spectral twins is especially memorable), and more traditional elements like rumbling LFE to add a feeling of menace in otherwise apparently banal scenes. Dialogue and score are both delivered very cleanly and clearly. Fidelity is top notch throughout and dynamic range is very wide.
Rigor Mortis has one overly predictable element, but otherwise is stuffed full of odd little characters and plot points. The references to Asian vampire films of yore may be lost on some viewers, but the overall tone of the film is unmistakably spooky and even oppressive. The two most remarkable things about the film is the aggregation of some great character actors, several of whom have done a lot of very famous horror films in their younger years, and Mak's rather unexpectedly brilliant stylistic flourishes. The film still is a bit tedious and inconsistent, but is never less than a blast to simply sit back and watch. Technical merits on this Blu-ray are first rate, and even without much in the supplements department, this release comes Recommended.
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