5.5 | / 10 |
Users | 3.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Ignoring the eerie warning of a troubled mother suspected of child endangerment, a social worker and her own small kids are soon drawn into a frightening supernatural realm.
Starring: Linda Cardellini, Roman Christou, Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen, Raymond Cruz, Marisol RamirezHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 36% |
Supernatural | 35% |
Mystery | 16% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 1.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Director Michael Chaves’ debut feature The Curse of La Llorona is influenced by the Mexican legend of the same name. The movie introduces the basic principle -- grieving mother drowns her children back in 1673 and proceeds to haunt/attack people thereafter -- but those wanting a little more of a proper introduction can check out the ever-dependable Wikipedia entry here. It's a proper story fit for a "Horror" movie but the result is an expectedly dull translation that plays it safe, relies almost entirely on cheap jump scares and recycled atmospherics rather than work to build true stomach-churning terror, and fails to build anything resembling a worthwhile narrative or develop engaging characters. The movie is loosely connected to the Conjuring universe but it's a far cry from that series' original instant classic, either in terms of story or quality of film.
The Curse of la Llorona's Blu-ray presentation is typical of contemporary digitally shot productions of modest budget appearing on the 1080p format. Low light noise is commonplace, obvious first in Patricia's apartment in the opening minutes. It's a swarming, dense noise that approaches a level of distraction, particularly as it dominates backgrounds. It is never again quite so dense but it's a constant companion throughout the film. The movie is built around low-light locations. Shadow details and black levels are not super tight but are effective enough in supporting the atmosphere. Colors aren't glossy or showy, which does at least conjure up a feel for the 1970s aesthetic, supporting that vintage period setting. But even in lower light, there's a lot to like about La Llorona's eyes, dress, and makeup, which are also highlighted by the transfer's textural adeptness. It's generally sharp and well defined, showcasing essential skin and clothing textures and various environments with ease. This is a well-rounded presentation that is probably about the best 1080p/SDR can handle for the presentation style.
The Curse of la Llorona features a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Listeners will enjoy some solid atmospherics in the 17th century Mexico opening when a young boy search out his mother and discovers something horrible; it's a nice blend of eerie and subtle that supports the scene quite well. The track finds more intense and engaging audio throughout, including in an early scene in Patricia's apartment when a tussle yields several crashes and other resultant high impact sounds in several discrete locations around the stage. The overhead channels offer regular top end engagement, perhaps most noticeable in some of the gentler sonic details like rolling thunder in chapter three and again in chapter seven (which also includes some driving rain effects surrounding the listener). Music includes the usual stringy shrieks accompanying the jump scares but also plenty of full-stage stretch and might with major subwoofer integration at times, such as during a bathroom attack around the 52-minute mark. All of the "action/horror" type scenes are accompanied by similarly large output. Dialogue is clear and detailed from its natural front-center home, whether hushed whispers or piercing screams and shouts. It is well prioritized for the duration.
The Curse of la Llorona contains three featurettes, deleted scenes, and storyboard comparisons. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies
Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.
The Curse of la Llorona is genre chum. It's bait for date night, serving up nothing of real cinematic resonance or able to find anything of dramatic creativity or character novelty. It's a string of jump scares through dark locations loosely held together by something resembling a plot. It's not at all frightening, though perhaps those with less exposure to the genre or paint-by-numbers film might find it a little spooky. For movie veterans, though, it's a hard pass. Warner Brothers' Blu-ray offers nothing enticing, either. Like the movie it's competently presented but nothing out of the ordinary in terms of video and audio presentations or supplemental quantity or quality. Rent it.
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