5.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A patient escapes from a mental hospital, killing one of his keepers and then a University professor after he makes his way to the local college. Next semester, the late prof's replacement and a new group of students have to deal with a new batch of killings.
Starring: Forbes Riley, Richard W. Haines, Dick Biel, Jim Martin (I)Horror | 100% |
Thriller | 8% |
Mystery | 7% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
As slasher cinema rode a wave of popularity in the 1980s, anyone with basic budgetary means wanted in on the lucrative potential of the subgenre. Troma Entertainment was no different, trying to make 1984’s “Splatter University” a player in the kill-em-all game, giving the feature a push as the next big thing in slaughterama entertainment. Director Richard W. Haines (“Class of Nuke ‘Em High”) tries to do his duty as a helmer of B-level hellraising, coming up (with the help of multiple screenwriters) with a decidedly formulaic take on murder, turning to a collegiate setting to unleash a knife-wielding killer on the students and staff. “Splatter University” provides some jolts with graphic special effects and a genuinely surprising conclusion, but Haines has no coin to work with, forced to keep stylistics to a bare minimum, while storytelling is generally ragged, fighting confusing detours and limp characterization while he tries to mount a successful whodunit, and one that’s covered in blood and guts.
"Splatter University" makes its Blu-ray debut with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, sourced from the 16mm original camera negative. Wear and tear is encountered quite a bit during the viewing experience, which struggles with speckling and scratches, and chemical damage is periodically found. Roughness is there, but filmic qualities remain, with thick grain and decent detail, which looks particularly nice during establishing shots and New York City visits, offering urban dimension with buildings and streets. Facial particulars are engaging, often observing iffy make-up effects, and clothing stays textured, picking up on period wear and professional attire. Colors are pleasingly refreshed, with bright primaries for school interiors, offering deep reds with signage. Greenery is lush, and set decoration provides varied hues. Delineation is secure, handling evening stalking scenes with clarity.
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides the basics in the "Splatter University" sound design while dealing with plenty of age-related issues, including pronounced stretches of damage, which warp the track, hitting scoring efforts the hardest. Intelligibility is acceptable despite some muddiness, with dialogue exchanges coming through adequately, offering Riley's professionalism some clarity. Synth throbs accordingly, with a few heightened cues that rattle speakers, and the music adds to suspense needs. Sound effects are blunt, without much definition. "Splatter University" isn't a technical marvel to begin with, and many of the mix's limitations are inherent issues.
"Splatter University" isn't slickly made, struggling with continuity issues and obvious fatigue when it comes to summoning suspense. Many subplots trail off, and Julie, despite her educational achievements, isn't a bright protagonist. Positives are scattered but available for study, including a climax that offers decent shock value to balance out cliché, some mild commentary on the hypocrisies of organized religion, and excursions to a drive-in theater and NYC locations, to offer the picture some fresh air to go with all the hallway panic. It's not a well-made feature, barely hanging on as Haines sweats to work up proper R-rated energy, helped enormously by Christopher Burke's driving synth score. "Splatter University" is a great title in search of a better movie, more suited for slasher completists who are happy to devour anything that involves dumb people and a roving killer. Those new to the subgenre shouldn't start here.
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