Slither 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Slither 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

James Gunn's directorial debut Slither (2006) was previously covered on our site by me. I reviewed Scream Factory's "Collector's Edition" in 2017. To read my impressions of the film and that Blu-ray's a/v presentations plus the extras, please refer to the linked review above.

I want to come in!

Slither 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Scream Factory is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Slither with a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray + standard Blu-ray combo that fits in a very fine SteelBook, which also contains an inner print of a scene from the film. Gunn's feature is also available as a SteelBook in the UK courtesy of Visions Home Video here and a forthcoming slipcover edition with alternate artwork here. In preparation of the UHD and remastered Blu-ray, writer/director James Gunn and director of photography Gregory Middleton approved a 4K scan from the movie's extant 35 mm interpositive. The UHD comes with Dolby Vision and is HDR10 compatible. The picture appears in its original theatrical exhibition ratio of 1.85:1.

Universal initially botched Slither's DVD release in the US when it issued the film with a full-frame presentation in October 2006. The studio didn't put the film out in its proper spherical ratio of 1.85 until eleven months later! I ran the data files of the September 2007 disc through an a/v GUI encoder and a transport stream muxer. Both confirmed that Universal authored an interlaced transfer. I deinterlaced the transfer and have upscaled it to 720p so you can see how the film's first video master compares to the two Scream discs. Cinematographer Middleton shot Slither on the Panavision Panaflex Platinum and with Panavision's Primo Lenses. The source material was printed on Kodak Vision2 Expression 500T 5229 stock. The film looks grainy on the DVD, which is likely how it also appeared in cinemas back in 2006. I wanted to append some notes from my review nine years ago. The SD transfer indeed suffers from some color bleeding and chroma edge ghosts. In addition, the blacks are crushed in the very sparsely lit shot of Starla Grant (Elizabeth Banks) in screen capture #26. The Shout transfers are not crushed. (You have to zoom in to see the grain better in #s 27 and 28.) I also spotted video-like compression artifacting on the DVD (see Screenshot #38). This is not an issue on the Shouts. More, Gunn and Middleton have color-corrected a small area in a digital f/x shot: see the hue around the parasite by the ear in capture #32 on the DVD and compare it to the less-saturated spot in #s 33 and 34.

I viewed Slither in Dolby Vision and found the HDR grade quite pleasing. The leaves and foliage have a nice shine to them in the scene at Shaded Creek where Grant Grant (Michael Rooker) and Brenda Gutierrez (Brenda James) hang for an evening. That the greenery stands out is by intention. Gunn's screenplay describes the setting as a "lush forest". All of the primaries appear well-delineated in D.V. (e.g., the red on the slugs). This scene and other nighttime exteriors assume a spiky grain field. The latest Shout Blu-ray also displays thick grain patterns. There's a little more of a pop-out effect on the UHD. A few shots in Slither's prologue look a bit rough but a majority of the film is free of wear. The matte painting seen in Screenshot #s 29-31 is likely created by Andrew Nguyen of Rocket Science VFX. It's pretty well-rendered regardless if you watch the film with HDR or SDR.

The UHD sports a mean video bitrate of 84.1 Mbps for the feature and an overall bitrate of 99 Mbps for the whole disc. Shout's latest MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 carries a rough average video bitrate of 25999 kbps. Please note that my score for the Blu-ray is an indication of its superiority over the older BD. It doesn't signify that it's "better" than the 4K.

Screenshot #s 1-15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, & 40 = Scream Factory 4K Ultra HD BD-100 (downscaled to 1080p)
Screenshot #s 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 29, 32, 35, & 38 = Universal Studios 2007 DVD-9 (Widescreen Edition) (resized to 720p)
Screenshot #s 27, 30, 33, 36, & 39 = Scream Factory 2026 BD-50 (from a 4K restoration)

Each disc contains nine chapter breaks, which are only accessible via remote.

Slither 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Scream has supplied three audio track options to watch Slither with on both the UHD and Blu-ray (in addition to two archival commentaries): a new Dolby Atmos mix (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 compatible with a standard bitrate of 5207 kbps) encoded at an average bitrate of 4567 kbps and a maximum bitrate of 7233 kbps; a prior DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround mix (2113 kbps, 16-bit); and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo downmix (1568 kbps, 16-bit). I re-listened to the 5.1 and it's very solid delivering separations for the action and horror material. Treble and bass are equally good. The Atmos offers several enhancements. The track gets off to a great start when a soaring meteor enters Earth's atmosphere. The mix delivers solid panning motions. A big highlight is when zombies jump atop a car. You'll hear them loud and clear on your overheads. I also felt that sound f/x accenting the slugs' squealing creates an omnipresent sonic experience. The fronts and .LFE were hyperactive during gunshot fire. A propane explosion brings out roaring bass sounds. I appreciate Tyler Bates's score more than the first time I watched the picture. Bates states in an recent interview that he employed the Roland Jupiter-8 synth. There's quite a bit of percussive effects from the score that the Atmos brings to life. Dialogue is a tad low at times.

I gave Slither a separate viewing with the optional English SDH switched on. They transcribe all dialogue and accurately describe sound f/x, too. I didn't catch any typos.

Slither 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Scream has brought over all the legacy extras from the DVDs and its initial CE. It has included several recent interviews. The four new interviewees join interviewer Daniel Griffith (Ballyhoo Motion Pictures) remotely. I have updated some spec listings and their contents.

DISC ONE: 4K UHD

• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director James Gunn and Actors Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker (2017) - this is a jovial track with frequent laughter as Gunn, Fillion, and Rooker reminisce on Slither's shoot. Gunn supplies production anecdotes and Fillion chips in with his individual memories. Rooker is the least talkative and often relegated to the background. All speak in English, not subtitled.

• Audio Commentary with James Gunn and Nathan Fillion (2006) - Gunn was recorded in a studio while Fillion joined the track via phone in Vancouver. This is a screen-specific commentary with a lot of observations made about the course of filming. The cell reception on Fillion's end is free of background noise. I listened to this track a second time for the 4K and strongly recommend it. In English, not subtitled.

• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director James Gunn and Actors Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker (2017) - this is a jovial track with frequent laughter as Gunn, Fillion, and Rooker reminisce on Slither's shoot. Gunn supplies production anecdotes and Fillion chips in with his individual memories. Rooker is the least talkative and often relegated to the background. All speak in English, not subtitled.

• Audio Commentary with James Gunn and Nathan Fillion (2006) - Gunn was recorded in a studio while Fillion joined the track via phone in Vancouver. This is a screen-specific commentary with a lot of observations made about the course of filming. The cell reception on Fillion's end is free of background noise. I listened to this track a second time for the 4K and strongly recommend it. In English, not subtitled.

• NEW We've Got Worms: Filming SLITHER – Interview with Director of Photography Gregory Middleton (17:23, 1080p) - the cinematographer discusses the Canadian films and TV pilots he's done, the vision James Gunn had for Slither, and the film's shooting locations and sets. Moreover, the DP briefly goes over working with the production designer and describes filming the elaborate gags. Middleton also examines several scenes in detail. In English, not subtitled.

• NEW Feed the Fear: Editing SLITHER – Interview with Editor John Axelrad (12:44, 1080p) - Axelrad reminisces about cutting Boogeyman (2005). He spends a bulk of this interview talking about Slither: working with Gunn for four weeks after shooting wrapped, the dailies process, his favorite scenes in Slither, and a scene with Gregg Henry that he loved editing. He also remarks about the movie's practical effects and the challenge of editing visual effects sequences. In addition, he shares some insights about the sound mix. In English, not subtitled.

• NEW Just a Bee Sting: Inside the FX – Interview with Special Make-up Effects Designer Todd Masters (11:47, 1080p) - the makeup f/x artist explains how he met Gunn and working with Gold Circle Films. Masters says he assembled a "rip-o-matic" that he presented to the indie production company. He bemusedly recounts designing the yellow organism and the Fleshlite for the slugs. (The makeup technicians customized the prop to punctuate the film's sexual overtones.) He also describes the ballpoint sketches he completed for Gunn. In English, not subtitled.

• NEW What's Gotten into You: Scoring SLITHER Interview with Composer Tyler Bates (15:03, 1080p) - Bates looks back at how he first connected with Gunn and the remote recording process that he did on Slither. The composer provides lots of descriptions about the film and how he tried to convey feelings in his music. He states that he created a 50/50 mix of of orchestrals and electronics. Bates unpacks the challenge of scoring in between diegetic material and working around those source songs, In English, not subtitled.

• The Genesis of SLITHER – An Interview with Writer/Director James Gunn (2017) (29:39, 1080p) - Scream shot this interview with Gunn, who initially was only going to sell his screenplay of Slither and not direct the picture. He recollects the casting choices, the themes of the film, the importance of Slither to his directing career and how it fits within his larger body of work. In English, not subtitled.

• The Other MacReady – An Interview with Actor Gregg Henry (2017) (8:09, 1080p) - Mayor Jack MacReady in Slither recalls his original impressions of director James Gunn on the set, brief remarks about his collaborators, the special makeup effects, and what he thought of the film after his most recent viewing. In English, not subtitled.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes with Optional Director Commentary (17:13, upscaled to 1080i) - these comprise a dozen clips and unlike the Universal DVD, they can't be played individually. The deleted scenes (eight clips, 9:58 total) and extended scenes (four clips, 7:15 total) have been consolidated. Shout! doesn't provide the scene names on the sub-menu or on any title cards preceding each so I re-list them here courtesy of the Universal disc. They include "Mrs. McCammon's House," "Grant at Work," "Grant/Starla Dinner Scene #1," "The Meat Filing Scene," "Grant Takes Dog Away," "Grant/Starla Dinner Scene #2," "Outside 'Deer Cheer' Lodge," "Starla Zones Out in Classroom," "The Butcher Shop," "Bill and Starla on Lodge Balcony," "Grant at Brenda's House," and "Bill and Kylie Outside Police Station." The scenes can be played with or without commentary by Gunn. They're presented in 1.85:1 non-anamorphic widescreen. Gunn is chatty as he explains why each one was dropped from the final cut. He also mentions preview audiences and test screenings in which he showed early cuts of Slither. In English, not subtitled.

• Visual Effects: Step by Step (5:04, upscaled to 1080i) - a.k.a. Visual Effects Progressions. This short featurette takes several scenes from the movie and demonstrates the evolution of shots, usually in three stages or more. It depicts the anatomy of a shot and shows how it is conceptualized through animation and green screen. Presented in non-anamorphic widescreen. In English, not subtitled.

• Slithery Set Tour with Actor Nathan Fillion (4:41, upscaled to 1080i) - the actor who plays Bill Pardy lugs an EPK camera around as he visits with various cast and crew members. Presented in 1.33:1. In English, not subtitled.

• The Sick Minds and Slimy Days of SLITHER (10:04, upscaled to 1080i) - an EPK making-of doc featuring interviews with writer/director James Gunn, producer Eric Newman, producer Paul Brooks, as well as actors Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker, Elizabeth Banks, Tania Saulnier, and Gregg Henry. Presented in 1.33:1. In English, not subtitled.

• Brewing the Blood – How to Make Blood (3:17, upscaled to 1080i) - a.k.a. Gorehound Grill. Kurt Jackson, first assistant for special effects, gives a humorous demo on how to make homemade blood (key ingredient: corn syrup) and shows how it compares with movie blood. Presented in 1.33:1. In English, not subtitled.

• Bringing SLITHER's Creatures to Life (18:38, upscaled to 1080i) - an extended featurette containing interview snippets with the same actors from the making-of as well as comments from special makeup effects supervisor/ designer Todd Masters, visual effects supervisor John Gajdecki, prosthetics technician Michael "Parasite Mike" Manzel, prosthetics tech Nicholas Podbrey, puppeteer Adam Behr, among others talking on the set. There are text screens of production notes and shots displaying the animated parasites. Presented in 1.33:1. In English, not subtitled.

• Lloyd Kaufman's Video Diary (8:58, upscaled to 1080i) - cult director Kaufman describes James Gunn's early writing credits and narrates his thoughts on the way to the set of Slither and in the dressing room. He chats with Gunn's then-wife and hair/makeup people. There's also footage of Gunn directing. Appears like VHS quality (and it's interlaced) but the image is pretty clean. Presented in 1.33:1. In English, not subtitled.

• Gag Reel (8:12, upscaled to 1080i) - a series of actor flubs, guffaws, and screw-ups from many scenes in the movie. Presented in non-anamorphic widescreen. In English, not subtitled.

• Who Is Bill Pardy? Featurette (5:14, upscaled to 1080i) - a gag reel and slew of outtakes featuring actor Nathan Fillion. Cast and crew members make sarcastic remarks about Fillion in an amusing way. Presented in both pan-and-scan and letterbox. In English, not subtitled.

• Theatrical Trailer (1:30, 1080p) - this is more of a teaser by Universal for the film. This didn't make it to Universal's 2006 DVD because, according to James Gunn via IGN, the dual-layered disc was completely full. On the 2017 CE, macro-blocking is conspicuous. Fortunately for this release, the trailer looks far less compressed. It's also clearer and sharper with nicely defined hues. Presented in anamorphic widescreen.

Slither 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

James Gunn excels at crafting creepy moments with those pesky slugs and amplifying the terror with body horror. The human-to-creature transformations and makeup f/x are incredible! Since Slither was the maiden feature Gunn directed, some of the performances are not as sharply attuned to the dramatic and emotive circumstances that the narrative calls for. For example, Elizabeth Banks's character lacks a deep emotional reservoir, which is needed considering what happens to Grant. During one scene, she appears to just recite her lines and not give Starla the kind of conviction the audience is expecting. Gunn's humor, though, is one of the film's strengths.

Scream Factory has produced an immense upgrade over their earlier "Collector's Edition". Besides having the film in 4K with a meticulous Dolby Vision grade that isn't overdone, the picture also offers some subtle improvements over earlier releases. If you're considering any of the two Visions Home Video editions, the Dolby Atmos mix here is a deal breaker. It really delivers the goods. The four recent interviews are each informative, with the Tyler Bates interview at the top. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!