The Craft Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		2.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.0

The Craft Blu-ray Movie Review

There’s no greater pairing than the edge of teen angst and the power of witchcraft, and co-writer/director Andrew Fleming has a fine vision for high school hellraising in 1996’s “The Craft.” Bringing along stars Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Rachel True, and Neve Campbell, Flemings taps into a primal need for magical control, exploring initial mischief from four teenagers looking to alter their lives through deals with the dark side, who soon come into contact with actual power to exact revenge on their hallway enemies and body issues. “The Craft” does a terrific job with introductions, offering a first half that details horrible behavior and physical pain attacked by rites and spellcasting, with Fleming playing up the demands of teen cinema while exposing a darker side to personal issues. “The Craft” is sharply observed and mindful of genre demands, also supplying lead performances that commit to the fantasy in full, with Balk especially crazed as the alpha witch gone bad.

The Craft Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"The Craft" made its Blu-ray debut in 2009, giving Sony an entire decade to come up with a fresh scan for what seems to be one of their more popular titles from the 1990s. Shout Factory bring the movie back to disc, but they don't offer anything new in the visual department, with the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation likely the same transfer from long ago. Visual standards have certainly risen since 2009, and it's a shame more couldn't be done for the feature, which looks old and tired here. Detail isn't strong, with softer skin surfaces and costuming, and locations look flatter. Only the strongest textures survive, but that's a rare event. Colors are muted, with some reddish push on skintones. Greenery lacks snap, along with costuming. Broad makeup hues manage to push through. Delineation is challenged during darker events, though solidification isn't a major issue. Grain is blocky. Source is in fine shape, without major elements of damage.

The Craft Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a forceful impression of "The Craft," with surrounds engaged throughout much of the movie, utilized most distinctly during ceremonial scenes, which offer swirling voices and powerful thunderclaps and lightning strikes. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and true, detailing teen banter and more direct spellcasting. Scoring is comfortably supportive, fulfilling suspense needs, and soundtrack selections provide crisp instrumentation. Sound effects are louder, offering crashing glass and hissing snakes. Low-end isn't remarkable, but some weight is added to household destruction.

The Craft Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Andrew Fleming.

• "Directing 'The Craft'" (15:12, HD) is a new conversation with Fleming, who freely admits trying to avoid "The Craft" when it was initially offered to him, only beginning to see the potential of the material after adding his own experiences to the screenplay. The helmer explores his intent, trying to be respectful of Wiccan ceremonies and culture, and shares initial studio hesitation with the premise, requiring the use of a screen test to acquire a greenlight. Casting achievements are covered, with Angelina Jolie initially in the mix to play Nancy before Fairuza Balk claimed the part. Los Angeles locations are celebrated, and Fleming spends time on the creation of special effects and work with early CGI. Sony's uncertainty with the film's release and struggles with the MPAA are highlighted, and the director shares pride in the soundtrack and score for "The Craft." Cult longevity is tracked, with massive DVD sales contributing to the feature's enduring popularity.

• "Producing 'The Craft'" (13:28, HD) sits down with producer Douglas Wick, whose fascination with empowerment led to his first credit in 1988's "Working Girl," and then "The Craft." Wick discusses how the premise was developed into a script, and the hiring of Fleming, who offered his own take on the material. Casting efforts are examined, finding Robin Tunney initially set to play Bonnie before she was talked into portraying Sarah. With Balk, real-life Wiccan devotion helped her cause, while Wick's own daughters cameo in the picture. The producer also shares challenges with Nancy's intensity, and delights in the movie's longevity, recently put to the test during a screening at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where thousands of fans showed up to see the feature, joined by Tunney, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True.

• "Writing 'The Craft'" (10:44, HD) offers screenwriter Peter Filardi an opportunity to share his initial inspirations for the project, which came to mind after scoring major exposure with his script for "Flatliners." Filardi describes his own fascination with the other side and elemental powers, working to create an authentic Wiccan experience. Studio notes were offered after delivering a successful draft, and Filardi seems comfortable with Fleming's additions. Now a father, the writer has a different perspective on "The Craft," still showing pride in the work.

• "Effecting 'The Craft'" (11:03, HD) meets with makeup effects supervisor Tony Gardner, who opens by mentioning his work on an "elder witch" from a deleted scene that's not include on the Blu-ray, so there's a mystery for another day. Gardner details the realization of Manon and the creation of the burn makeup on Bonnie. Tunney provided a different challenge to the production, arriving on the set with a shaved head from "Empire Records," requiring the creation of a wig. Gardner shares amusing anecdotes about the creation and placement of sharks on a Los Angeles beach, and his general confusion with the arrival of CGI, finding computers able to create labor-intensive visuals. Also responsible for the effects on "Hocus Pocus," Gardner mentions his fame with young hires, and even reveals Katy Perry's love of "The Craft."

• "Conjuring 'The Craft'" (24:35, SD) is an older summation of the production experience, featuring interviews with cast and crew, who explore the initial inspiration for the screenplay, casting accomplishments, and research into the world of witchcraft, which was treated carefully out of fear of upsetting the Wiccan community. Highlights include Balk's intimidating commitment to the part, real-life suggestions of dark spirits on-set, and the tricks of visual effects to help realize dark magic. The influence of "The Craft" is also inspected.

• "The Making of 'The Craft'" (5:59, SD) is an EPK offering that includes cast and crew interviews (conducted on-set), plenty of clips, and details concerning characters and story.

• Deleted Scenes (6:36) include Sarah's visit to Bonnie's hospital room, with a request for healing magic made to help cure the patient's scarred back; a high school gathering of Sarah, Bonnie, and Rochelle, who share fear for Nancy's mental state before being interrupted by the crazy witch who freaks out on the gang; and a brief moment of horror is conjured by Nancy, who pretends to stab Sarah in the backseat of a car. These scenes can be viewed with or without commentary by Andrew Fleming.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:50, SD) is included.

The Craft Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Craft" doesn't stick its landing, spending too much time on a climactic battle and visual effects (which haven't aged well), with Fleming turning to noise to find a way out of the story. It's a mistake, but a small one for a largely entertaining and colorful picture, which delivers Wiccan delights with attention to detail and explores teenager concerns with care, making it one of the better offerings of sleepover cinema in the last 30 years.