Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Silver Bullet 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Silver Bullet is an essential 1980’s horror classic. Based on the classic novel by Stephen King, Silver Bullet is one of the most entertaining and memorable of werewolf movies ever made. Produced by Martha De Laurentiis (Firestarter, Maximum Overdrive) with associate producer John M. Eckert (Exit Wounds, The Big Hit), Silver Bullet provides thrills and chills of the highest order.

Executive produced by Dino De Laurentiis (Barbarella, Flash Gordon). Silver Bullet stars Corey Haim, Gary Busey, and Megan Follows. Co-starring Everett McGill as Reverend Lowe, Robin Groves as Nan Coslaw, Leon Russom as Bob Coslaw, and Terry O'Quinn as Sheriff Joe Haller.

Marty Coslaw (Corey Haim) is no ordinary 13-year-old. Though Marty is bound to a wheelchair he has the spirit of someone with a sense of adventure. The entire town is in a state of fear when it appears that a maniac killer is on the loose. Who could the killer be and what can the town folk do to try to survive?

Marty is determined to help and he sets forth on his own adventure – looking to find a werewolf. Uncle Red (Gary Busey) helps Marty along as he sets forth to find the killer werewolf before it is too late. Jane Coslaw (Megan Follows) joins in on the fun. Can the trio solve the mystery and stop the killer werewolf before more victims pile up across the town?

The performances are one of the strengths of the film and are reason enough to see Silver Bullet. Corey Haim is fantastic as Marty Coslaw and provides a sense of high-energy spirit to solve the mystery in the film. Despite Marty being disabled and confined to a wheelchair, Marty will do whatever to takes to be the hero of the story. Corey Haim delivers in the role and makes the character someone who is worth rooting for and championing.

Gary Busey is surprisingly great in the supporting role of Uncle Red. Busey delivers a fun performance as the sometimes over-the-top but always enthusiastic uncle. Uncle Red is a close friend to Marty and makes sure to help him along the way.

Megan Follows is impressive in the supporting role of Jane Coslaw. Follows does a good job alongside Haim. The two actors have some great scenes together and there is a sense of team-work (makes the dream work) showcasing the acting chops of both stars.

The production design by Giorgio Postiglione (Firestarter, Maximum Overdrive) works well for the 80s horror classic. The production design provides a nice balance of simplistic charm and a good backdrop against the horror elements – exactly as necessary for a werewolf gem. Postiglione did great work with the design and Silver Bullet is all the more entertaining as a result.

The costume designs by Clifford Capone (Maximum Overdrive, Raw Deal) are first-rate and work well for the entire ensemble cast. The designs seem true to the spirit of the 80s and these designs seem thought out well for each of the cast members. These designs are also complimented by the fun werewolf suit creations by Francesco Paolocci, Gaetano Paolocci, and Carlo Rambaldi. The werewolf suit style is an abundance of 80s thrills and it makes the film all the more entertaining and thrilling in good measure.

Silver Bullet is also complimented by strong visual effects by Joseph P. Mercurio (Face/Off, 12 Monkeys). The visual effects provide Silver Bullet with some of its most memorable moments. Though the film is sometimes a more nuanced horror film (with scares created with build-up anticipation), the visual effects are strong when the film utilizes them.

The score composed by Jay Chattaway (Maniac, Star Trek: The Next Generation) is a pitch-perfect score that fits the tone of the film in a great way. The score helps to build tension and amp up the scares in the film. Composer Chattaway certainly finds the right notes for scares and fun. The music fits the experience in all the right ways. The character moments are heartfelt and the terror is notched up.  

The cinematography by Armando Nannuzzi (Waterloo, Maximum Overdrive) is one of the most memorable and engaging parts of the production. The cinematography by Nannuzzi provides suspenseful qualities to the werewolf horror film – showcasing the dread of the werewolf and the perils of the adventure. Nannuzzi showcases the normalcy of the town and the day-to-day lives of its citizens against the terror of the unknown with the werewolf lurking in the shadows. A great effort by Nannuzzi.

Edited by Daniel Loewenthal (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Madman), Silver Bullet is well-paced and there is a sense of adventure throughout the film. The pace and rhythm are well established with excellent editing. Loewenthal finds the right tone.

Written by Stephen King, Silver Bullet provided King with a rare chance to adapt his own source material with his own screenplay. King clearly has a blast with the film and wrote a memorable script with great characters. The story is entertaining and the journey is one that feels more whimsical than expected from a horror tale. The terror is still there, too. A great script by King.

Directed by Daniel Attias (Alias, Lost), Silver Bullet is one of the finest werewolf films ever made. Fans of werewolf horror films will have a blast with Silver Bullet. Attias has a lot of fun directing the Stephen King tale and bringing it to life. The filmmaking is entertaining, charming, and suspenseful when the terror of the werewolf enters the equation. Silver Bullet is a cult classic for a reason – one of the best werewolf films (right up there with Michael Giacchino’s Werewolf by Night).

Silver Bullet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on 4K UHD by Shout Factory, Silver Bullet is presented in HEVC / H.265 2160p in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The release sports a native 4K UHD presentation of the feature-film. The native 4K encode also provides a HDR (high dynamic range) presentation in both HDR10 (standard) and Dolby Vision. The 4K UHD features a scan from the original camera native. Utilizing the original camera negative, Shout Factory managed to create a breathtaking restoration. Outstanding detail and clarity are present throughout the feature-film presentation. The scan looks remarkably clear throughout the presentation and the print is free from any egregious print damage, scratches, and wear. The 4K UHD is so crisp and engaging that it makes the film look new again while keeping the natural and cinematic aesthetic that defined the film. A first-rate transfer and one that will satisfy fans enormously.

Silver Bullet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. The lossless, high-resolution audio track sounds crisp and engaging throughout the feature-film presentation. The high-resolution audio track provides a great sense of clarity – delivering the audio track with a sense of depth and detail impressive throughout the presentation. The sound quality is outstanding and the track is free of egregious issues. There are no issues with hiss, crackles, warps, pops, or clicks. A quality lossless presentation.

Silver Bullet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The first print-run of the Silver Bullet 4K UHD release comes with a nice o-card slipcover for collectors. The collectible slipcover adds a nice touch to an already fantastic release. Shout Factory continues to reward collectors with a wonderful package that will satisfy the most enthusiastic of fans.

Audio Commentary With Producer Martha De Laurentiis

Audio Commentary With Director Daniel Attias

Audio Commentary With Eric Vespe And Scott Wampler of The Kingcast

Isolated Score Selections And Audio Interview With Composer Jay Chattaway

A Little Private Justice – Interview With Actor Kent Broadhurst (HD, 11:51)

Cutting To The Bone – Interview With Editor Daniel Loewenthal (HD, 16:39)

The Wolf Within – Interview With Actor Everett McGill (HD, 16:15)

Full Moon Fever – The Effects Of Silver Bullet (HD, 21:03)

Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:27)

TV Spot (HD, 00:31)

Radio Spot (Audio Only, 00:39)

Still Gallery (HD, 6:20)

Silver Bullet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Silver Bullet is an essential horror classic of the 80s. The 80s horror gem comes from the imagination of horror mastermind Stephen King (who adapted his own source material in writing the screenplay to the feature-film). The werewolf horror classic has plenty of scares and great performances by an ensemble cast including Corey Haim, Gary Busey, and Megan Follows. Silver Bullet looks incredible on 4K UHD. A fantastic presentation sourced from the original camera negative. A first-rate restoration and one that will satisfy fans. The release also comes jam- packed with bonus features. A must-own release for King fans and horror aficionados in general. Highly recommended.