6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
STING spins a web of thrilling terror when 12-year-old Charlotte’s pet spider rapidly transforms into a giant flesh-eating monster, forcing the young girl to fight for her family’s survival.
Starring: Jermaine Fowler, Ryan Corr, Alyla Browne, Noni Hazlehurst, Robyn NevinHorror | 100% |
Mystery | 5% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0
English SDH, French
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
It's maybe just a little funny that this film about a certain species of a (to link to a title of another release on Blu-ray by Well Go USA) Creepy Crawly creature that regularly sends all sorts of otherwise stolid people into shrieks of panic was written and directed by a guy with a hyphenated last name whose first "element" is a homophone for another species of insect that also tends to send people into the throes of nervous breakdowns. Kiah Roache-Turner, that aforementioned creator, overtly mentions that he is an avowed arachnophobe, which probably gives some of the startle scares running (scampering?) through this film some added energy. There are some rather impressive practical effects (by the wizards at Wētā) that also up the angst ante considerably in this effort, but some of the soap operatic subtext, which involves a little girl trying to meld with a newly "blended" family, while actually giving some emotional resonance to the tale, may actually end up distracting from the main "monster movie" allure.
Sting is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Well Go USA with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. As of the writing of this review, the IMDb doesn't list much technical information and a cursory online search didn't really provide me with any substantial further data, but this is an appealingly sharp and decently detailed digital capture that I'm assuming had a 2K DI. As can be gleaned from several of the screenshots I've uploaded to accompany this review, a lot of this film takes place in dimly lit, shadowy environments, something no doubt done intentionally to up the "fear factor". Large swaths of the film take place in shrouded ducts where Sting drags his victims and encases them in slimy webs. All of this means that shadow detail can be somewhat variable, and there are some moments, especially in the last third or so of the film, where rather large sections of the frame can be subsumed in darkness. Otherwise, though, detail levels are commendable, and the palette, while subtly graded toward both yellows and blues at times, is nicely suffused. There are some very minor flirtations with banding (a recurrent issue with a lot of Well Go USA releases) in the very darkest scenes where light can suddenly intrude. My score is 4.25.
Sting features an impressively immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, one that clearly engages the side and rear channels throughout for a variety of ambient environmental effects, not the least of which is the sound of little (?) scampering feet trotting to and fro behind apartment house walls. There are also thumps and other things that go bump in the night that can deliver some fun startle effects. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and French subtitles are available.
- Creating the Monster (HD; 6:03)
- The Director (HD; 6:17)
- The Cast (HD; 7:02)
The practical effects in Sting are undeniably impressive (the creature is not the result of CGI, and is instead a puppet controlled by several artisans), and there are moments where the monster movie elements are rather nicely woven (no spiderweb pun intended) into the underlying emotional unease already being experienced by Charlotte. This might make for an appealing (and/or frightening) double feature with other creepy crawly themed films like The Spider Labyrinth or Arachnophobia, and this release offers generally secure technical merits and some appealing supplements (not always a given with Well Go USA releases), for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.
1982
2018
Unrated Theatrical and Rated Versions
2013
2016
Collector's Edition
1998
2017
2015
2015
2013
Collector's Edition
1988
Original Unrated Cut
2005
2022
Slipcover in Original Pressing
2011
2005
2014
1984
1995
2010
2011
2018