6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 2.5 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
A crime scene photographer and a police detective engage the help of a college professor for leads on a child killer who picks his victims according to the initials in their name. Based on the true unsolved crimes in Rochester, New York in the 1970's
Starring: Michael Ironside, Timothy Hutton, Eliza Dushku, Cary Elwes, Tom MalloyThriller | 100% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
I'm not going to stop.
Another in an ever-growing line of movies with a decent cast but a poor script, The Alphabet
Killer is a forgettable Police Procedural albeit with something of a supernatural twist, but it
makes for a wholly
unremarkable
experience nevertheless. The film seems to pride itself on what seems superficially to be a deep,
contemplative mystery with almost otherworldly elements but a plot that nevertheless remains
grounded in reality throughout. Here, visions, voices, and hunches based on both speculation
and random bouts of psychotic visions and visitations are met with disdain rather than open
arms; in that way, The Alphabet Killer seems to want to take the approach opposite
many other paranormal Murder-Mystery films by dismissing the very thing that may ultimately
lead to the capture or killing of the villain. In that light, The Alphabet Killer is something
of a novelty, but
it's ultimately destroyed by a terribly predictable plot and story lines that make the police force
and everyone around the case seem like the Keystone Kops; once clues are revealed, it seems
both incomprehensible and reprehensible that nobody surrounding the case -- in the law or
amongst the civilian ranks -- could put together a few obvious coincidences that easily brought
the case together.
'A cop on the edge, a killer on the loose...'
The Alphabet Killer debuts on Blu-ray with a slightly-above-average 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer. The film's most noticeable visual trait comes from its ever-shifting tone; from cold and lifeless to warm and inviting, the image fluctuates from one sequence to the next, but this Starz Blu-ray is up to the challenge, generally reproducing the film's haphazard visual style with ease. Fine detail and object texture in every spectrum impresses; whether large smooth stones along old railroad tracks or a woven scarf, the transfer renders many lifeless objects with ease. Still, the film takes on something of a flat and plastic appearance. Close-ups of characters in particular appear waxy and devoid of the finest of nuances associated with the highest-quality Blu-ray transfers. Black levels are never overtly problematic, but flesh tones fluctuate depending on whatever visual scheme the film employs from sequence to sequence. Additionally, the transfer exhibits the occasional white speckle, and background noise is minimally visible. Certainly not a disappointing transfer by any means, The Alphabet Killer's Blu-ray presentation is simply unremarkable, much like the film itself.
This Blu-ray release of The Alphabet Killer sports a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack; no lossless or uncompressed options are available. This track has no reservations about placing sounds all over the soundstage; there's plenty of side- and back-channel activity, but the problem is that it lacks depth, a true sense of space, and plays as somewhat undefined and unbalanced. A few effects do impress, particularly those that accompany Megan's visions/hallucinations. The film's musical presentation is fairly underwhelming and not particularly loud, even at reference volume. It often plays more as background filler than a front-and-center supporting element. Occasionally, the track is accompanied by a subtle but welcome jolt from the low end, but gunshots pop out with more of a whimper than a bang; particularly disappointing is the film's anticlimactic and wholly generic chase scene with the obligatory gunfire, but the track does nothing to heighten the scene from a sonic perspective. Dialogue is discernible in every scene but not particularly engaging or seamlessly realistic. All told, The Alphabet Killer offers a rather ho-hum sound design, and the lossy Blu-ray soundtrack is no different.
The Alphabet Killer contains no special features, and this Blu-ray disc lacks a menu.
In the end, The Alphabet Killer just sort of is, a movie that's not at all noteworthy or memorable, a film that puts forth a decent idea and fair amount of effort but little more. It's hindered not necessarily from subpar acting or production values but instead a general plot incompetence that's borderline insulting, and the film's killer is one that viewers even the least bit astute in how these sorts of films pan out can identify the moment the character first appears on-screen. This decent but unremarkable film has, appropriately, been provided a decent but unremarkable Blu-ray release. Sporting solid video quality, a bland lossless soundtrack, no extras, and a bargain price, fans and collection-padders will want to pick this one up, but others are advised to rent if not skip altogether.
2006
Collector's Edition
1986
2020
1965
2014
1989
2016
2009
2013
1987
2016
Stephen King's A Good Marriage
2014
Director's Cut
1963
Vestron Collector's Series
1990
2017
Collector's Edition
1983
1982
1984
2K Restoration
1979
2-Disc Special Edition
1980