7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
A soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence.
Starring: Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer, Sheila Kelley, Leland OrserDark humor | 100% |
Mystery | 65% |
Thriller | 56% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
BD-Live
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
If you're not laughing within a few minutes of starting The Guest, pause, rewind and try, try again. Still not laughing? Either you don't get the joke or this one isn't for you. Director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett's latest genre stew is a horror satire of the subtlest order, with Downton Abbey alum Dan Stevens deftly -- and maniacally -- answering the question Halloween and Terminator junkies should have been asking for decades: what if Michael Myers or Arnie's T-800 looked like the wholesome, All-American marine next door? What if this unstoppable killing machine took up residence with an unsuspecting small-town family and proceeded to wreak havoc? Granted, The Guest doesn't declare its intentions from the outset. It took me a good twenty minutes to realize the film wasn't a haphazardly constructed thriller but rather a slick, all too clever love letter to the slasher and stalker films of the 1980s. Once that little realization was made, though, and a hop back to the beginning taken, Wingard and Barrett's You're Next follow-up suddenly became a whole new treat. Funny, subversive, deceptively refined and legitimately creepy in all the right places, The Guest warrants serious genre honors.
On the prowl...
The Blu-ray release of The Guest features a killer 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation. The film's palette is dark but relatively lifelike, with striking, vividly colored hues, visceral primaries, warmly saturated skintones, and deep, ominous blacks. Contrast is strong and consistent too, and detail is exacting. Edges are clean and naturally defined, without anything in the way of ringing or aliasing; fine textures are carefully (but not too carefully) resolved, and unhindered by errant noise or other anomalies; shadow delineation is excellent, revealing as much or as little as cinematographer Robby Baumgartner wishes; and a modest veneer of grain is present, adding a suitably classic-film element to the slasher send-up. Minor instances of crush pop up throughout, sure, but a lack of artifacting, banding and other compression issues bolster the near-perfect presentation and stave off any complaints. Fans of the film will be most pleased.
Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is almost as crafty, efficient and explosive as The Guest's David Collins. LFE output is restrained but rewarding, unleashing its true power in the film's third act when guns are finally drawn, bodies begin to pile up, and Stevens goes on his kill-or-be-killed rampage. The rear speakers rarely disappoint either, offering subdued but involving directional support during quieter scenes and creating an even more immersive and engaging soundfield when chaos erupts. It's never as absorbing as a full-blown, big-budget action blockbuster, mind you -- the film's modest means lead to a few hit-or-miss sequences in terms of sonic power and prowess -- but such moments hardly amount to a distraction. Dialogue remains clear and intelligible at all times as well, with perfect prioritization and nothing in the way of muffled, drowned or indistinct voices. All told, the film's lossless track delivers.
The Guest isn't for everyone. Some will find it hilariously subversive. Others won't get the joke. Still others will understand exactly what Wingard and Barrett are going for, or simply not buy into the concept, humor or execution. The same could be said of You're Next, the filmmakers' previous genre-subverting shake-up. For those who warm to Wingard and Barrett's dark comedy, though... you're in for a real treat. Fortunately, Universal's Blu-ray release isn't nearly as divisive. With an excellent video presentation, strong DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, and a small but decent supplemental package (built on a terrific audio commentary), The Guest comes recommended.
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מי מפחד מהזאב הרע / Mi mefakhed mehaze'ev hara
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