Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Shredder Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 15, 2019

Slashers in a post-“Scream” world are difficult to digest. The self-referential approach doesn’t quite work for horror movies, which needs a sense of sincerity and surprise to truly generate a proper fear factor. “Shredder” is a 2003 release that tries to be both aware and immersed in murderous intentions, with co-writer/director Greg Huson attempting to provide a gore fest for genre fans, but also one that’s semi-comedic, hunting for a tone that permits him to be silly and scary. “Shredder” doesn’t connect on multiple levels, but being humorous is one of its greatest failures, with Huson forcing his stale sense of humor on viewers, trying to find the “fun” in the middle of what should be a proper slaughterama in the snow.

Off on a weekend snowboarding trip to a remote cabin inside the abandoned Rocky Summit resort, Cole (Scott Weinger) is hoping to spend private time with his girlfriend, Kimberly (Lindsey McKeon), only to be stuck with a collection of their friends and family. Entering the property, the trespassers set up shop, filling a cabin with food and booze, even picking up a stranger in Christophe (Brad Hawkins), a European man looking for cheap thrills. While the gang commences their mountain adventure, a killer in black waits for them in the wild, using a variety of weapons to pick off the intruders. While Cole deals with Kimberly’s wandering eye and attention from her cousin, Pike (Juleah Weikel), he’s also growing aware of the mounting threat, going into panic mode as the murderer’s rampage continues.

“Shredder” pays close attention to the slasher playbook. These aren’t considerate characters heading out into the wild, but an assortment of morons, with one of the gang clutching a video camera, doing his best to document everything during the trip, but also commenting on it as well, just because. He would normally be the requisite “obnoxious guy,” but everyone in the screenplay is fairly odious, with the group harassing Pike because they think she’s a lesbian (she isn’t) and Kimberly treats Cole like garbage, openly flirting with other people, making Christophe and his vaguely French appeal her primary target for the vacation. There’s really nobody to embrace here, as Cole is too much of a nitwit to really support as the lead character. Instead of pushing for more defined personalities, Huson simply collects bodies for the slaughter, sending them off into the wild while a person in black patrols the area looking for people to murder.

“Shredder” finds the gang drinking themselves into a stupor (camerawork offers a “That ‘70s Show” tribute), encountering locals who don’t want the kids near the area, and dealing with an empty playground of snow, trying to conquer the mountain with their varied skills on snowboards. The downhill action isn’t stunning, with Huson eschewing a sports documentary feel for basic physical movement, paying more attention to genre demands, where a monster is on the loose, using wires, poles, blades, and even a chair lift to dispatch of the intruders. “Shredder” is very bloody, and that’s maybe enough for the target demographic, with plenty of beheadings and gaping wounds to keep the faithful interested. Huson certainly wants to mount a gross-out experience. It’s only too bad he doesn’t take the premise more seriously.

Shredder Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation preserves the bright outdoor look of "Shredder." Detail is capable, securing the comfort of winter gear and facial surfaces, while gore zone visits maintain macabre particulars, with open wounds a particular favorite visual during the movie. Distances are satisfactory, and interiors are open for inspection. Colors are stable, with more varied hues on costuming and town visits, which deliver hotter bar lighting. Snowscapes are defined. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in fine shape, with a few speckle storm encountered along the way.

Shredder Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix keeps things very loud to support the aural aggression of "Shredder." Dialogue exchanges are clear, managing group interactions and individual acts of panic, staying comfortable. Scoring supports as intended, emphasizing suspense with decent instrumentation. Soundtrack selects play up the pop punk edge, enjoying greater volume to secure the mood of snowboarding and mountain shenanigans. Sound effects are defined, with slasher sequences adequately goopy. Mountain atmospherics are acceptable, achieving a sense of open air expanse.

Shredder Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Greg Huson.

• Interview (8:45, HD) sits down with actress Lindsay McKeon, who shares her entry into show business and his history as a horror fan who can't quite shake the grisly highlights of the genre. Talk of the Idaho shoot is amusing, with strong camaraderie among the co-stars inspiring monkey business when cameras weren't rolling. McKeon points out her powerful scream, which has helped her in other gigs. The interviewee offers hope for more gender equality in horror, happy with creative choices made in "Shredder," also celebrating the movie's mix of comedy and frights. McKeon closes with plans for the future, looking to step away from acting for more powerful behind-the-scenes roles.

• Blooper Reel (10:11, SD) isn't actually a blooper reel. These are extended and deleted scenes, giving "Shredder" a deeper dive into character, along with paying off a few first act revelations. Also included are visual effects comparisons, showing off subtle background replacements used in the picture.

• And a Trailer (1:36, SD) is included.

Shredder Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

With suspense limited and human behavior fairly odious, at least "Shredder" provides a reminder of life in the early aughts, with much of the movie resembling a Mountain Dew commercial, making full use of trendy editing techniques and abrasive pop punk soundtrack selections. Huson even strives to make snowboarding seem like the ultimate statement of rebellion, hoping to give the characters some edginess as they attack the snow. It's all fairly silly, but the basics of slasher cinema are there for those who are skilled at searching for it, as Huson wants to deliver a gruesome distraction. His approach is flawed and somewhat fearful of real atmosphere, but at least there's plenty of blood.