Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

The Invisible Man Returns Blu-ray Movie Review

"He took off his clothes! No wonder she fainted!"

1940's 'The Invisible Man Returns' 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 48-page book featuring writing on the classic monsters as well as actors and people behind the scenes that brought them to life.

As the movie opens, Geoffry Radcliffe (Vincent Price making his horror film debut here), has just disappeared from his jail cell in front of his captors, having been imprisoned for murder. He and his fiance, Helen (Nan Grey) are on the run, aided by Dr. Frank Griffin (John Sutton). Scottland Yard Inspector Sampson (Cecil Kellaway) is aware of this kind disappearing act and pays a visit to Dr. Frank Griffin, who just happens to be the brother of Dr. Jack Griffin - the original Invisible Man. Radcliffe struggles with his new phantom-like state, but is intent on finding his brother's true murderer. Meanwhile, Dr. Griffin works to find a cure for the madness that accompanies the use of the drug, with a more final and permanent solution being the only other alternative. Richard and Helen's reunion is shortlived and he's soon on the run from the authorities, while Richard Cobb (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) clearly has designs on Helen. Geoffrey quickly confronts the person he believes to be responsible for his brother's death as the police close in on a dark and stormy night. Can he bring the correct person to justice before he goes mad, or worse?

Part of the appeal of these films has always been effects shots where we are treated to the mysterious goings-on, and this film provides plenty of them. Invisible guinea pigs, seen only by the tiny harnesses they wear are shown to move about in their cages in Dr. Griffin's lab. When he tests a potential antidote, we see a skeleton slowly fade into view and then, ultimately, a fully-formed guinea pig. The Invisible Man opens a suitcase and takes out the contents, removes his goggles and bandages, and interacts with Griffin in the laboratory, and torments poor Mr. Spears. There are more, of course, and the crew does it's best to provide new thrills in this arena.

The police, while posing a threat to Radcliffe, are primarily here for comic relief, and most are portrayed as well-meaning bumblers. When one of these endearing incompetents encounters Radcliffe with Helen early on, he reports back to his superior, Inspector Sampson, who advises him not to let Radcliffe remove his clothes. The constable quickly retorts that Radcliffe wouldn't dare remove his clothes as there was a lady present. But moments later, when he reenters the room where he left Radcliffe and Helen, there is a pile of men's clothes on the floor and Helen is lying passed out on the bed. The constable quickly observes, "He took of his clothes! No wonder she fainted!" More moments like this follow and work as a counterbalance to the madness that soon begins to consume Radcliffe, keeping the tone from becoming overly dark and sinister.

The most remarkable element to the film, though, has to be the iconic Vincent Price's performance. Despite the fact that he's unseen for the bulk of the film's runtime, he's literally visible for mere seconds, he makes his presence known and felt due to his fantastic vocal work. He transitions from the joyous hopefulness of his escape and reunion with Helen, to fear and panic as the police close in, and to the inevitable madness as the drug takes hold. Without ever seeing his face in these moments, we feel his happiness, his terror, and are afraid of what he's becoming, all due to the power and breadth of emotions that Price can convey with his voice alone. It's also interesting to note how Price's voice changed over the years. Here, it's still quite youthful as Price is around 29 years of age at the time and it hadn't fully developed the tone and timbre fans know and love from his horror offerings of the late 1950s forward. But if you listen closely, you can hear certain unmistakable characteristics even at this early phase of his career.

The Invisible Man Returns Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The transfer for The Invisible Man Returns is very much on par with other sequels in this set. Fine detail can be quite good with wood-grain and particulars around the various sets lending themselves to closer inspection. Fabrics, particularly tweed jackets and rougher cotton and burlap have a nicely fibrous presence. Blacks are adequate, but as is typical with other films included here, detail can be absorbed. Whites occasionally flirt with brightness, but typically are a lighter shade of grey. Grain is fine and resolves naturally. Process shots can reveal the technology's limitations with occasionally very dark and noticable dark lines appearing around the actors and objects with which the Invisible Man interacts. Cuts can sometimes trigger fluctuations in color saturation and image stability which, though brief, are easily noticed. It's not a remarkable transfer for good or ill, but it is serviceable and watchable.

The Invisible Man Returns Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Invisible Man Returns comes equipped with an English DTS-MD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track that is very satisfying. Dialogue is clean and clear and sits atop the sometimes very emotional music swells perfectly. Not a word is missed, even through the bandages covering Price's face. The orchestral score is very precise and is reproduced with great fidelity. While barking and squealing dogs can sometimes test the limitations of the track, no serious defects or distortions were noted. English SDH subtitles are also available.

The Invisible Man Returns Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

No special features are included for The Invisible Man Returns.

The Invisible Man Returns Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The first sequel to the classic The Invisible Man remains one of the very best. Price's presence, even early in his career, elevates the picture, and provides a protagonist with whom we can empathize. Its serious tone never devolves into melodrama, and the periodic and brief spurts of comedy provide welcome breaks to the tension. While not perfect, the technical presentation is adequate and fans of the original will definitely want to give sequel a look.