5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Once again, scientists underestimate the Creature, this time in a failed attempt to transform him from a mutant into a human. Being able to live on land is not enough to make the Creature comfortable with humans. Enraged, he turns his wrath on anyone who comes near as he desperately tries to return to the deep-water world where he truly belongs.
Starring: Jeff Morrow (I), Rex Reason, Leigh Snowden, Gregg Palmer, Maurice MansonHorror | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 20% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
1956's 'The Creature Walks Among Us' returns to Blu-ray as part of the massive 'Universal Classic Monsters Complete 30-Film Collection' which includes all of the timeless monster movies from 1931's 'Dracula' forward. All of the original films from the timeless and unforgettable Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, The Mummy, Invisible Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and The Phantom of the Opera, are included here on 24 Blu-ray discs. All of the legacy features from the previous collections are included here, giving fans hours of content to pour over once the movies are over. Also included is a 47-page book featuring writing on the classic monsters as well as actors and people behind the scenes that brought them to life.
The transfer for The Creature Walks Among Us is frequently quite good for its age. Facial particulars, fine hairs, wrinkles, lines, and the like can often be picked out in closer shots. Whites tend more toward grey, but blacks can be deep. Unfortunately, detail can often be lost in its depths. Fine grain is present in shots above sea level and resolves naturally without becoming chunky, blocky, or noisy. But the print is not in perfect condition. Intermittent damage is present on the right side for quite some time during the initial dive sequence. Underwater shots also carry with them a tendency toward softness, and the environmental particulars of those aquatic locations remain elusive. White specks also pop up in these shots, as does chunkier grain. As much of the film takes place either on a boat or on dry land the impact of these issues is limited. It's worth noting that this is the only film in the trilogy that was created in 3D, so while that option is available for the other films, here a 2D presentation is all there is.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track is largely sufficient for what it needs to do. Voices are clear and are always presented at the top of the mix and are properly centered. Sound effects, such as gunshots, breaking glass, splintering wood, and the creature's roar are all adequately rendered given the film's vintage. Music is also typically well-handled, however, on occasion, the horn-laden musical stings can come off a bit shrill and tinny. English SDH subtitles are also available.
The following extras are included for this film:
The Creature Walks Among Us had potential. A talented cast, a revamped costume for the Gill Man, a lovely leading lady, and a strong and moody opening suggested that this might well have been a return to form at least and potentially even, an improvement over the classic first film. But as soon as the Gill Man is captured, all such hopes quickly evaporate. Any sense of tension and atmosphere quickly vanishes. The Gill Man, out of the water and dressed in scrubs, is not nearly as menacing. It's hard for him to be scary when he's not eerily rising from the depths and vanishing without a trace. Instead, he's just mutely standing there, penned up in the yard by the dogs and other critters, while the story focuses on all the young men relentlessly hitting on the drunk Dr. Barton's young, pretty wife. It's a disappointing final chapter for an iconic movie monster.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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