5.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A young woman is courted and swept off her feet, only to realize a gothic conspiracy is afoot.
Starring: Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty, Stephanie Corneliussen, Alana Boden, Courtney TaylorHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Thai: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Thai
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Invitation begins with most everyone's dream come true: a young, struggling artist discovers that she comes from wealth. Lots of wealth. And her newly found family is all too happy to bring her into the fold. However, this quickly turns into most everyone's worst nightmare: these rich relatives are actually bloodsucking vampires, and the head vampire has his eyes on this young girl to make her his newest bride. From Director Jessica M. Thompson comes The Invitation, a fairly grim but also fairly gripping little Horror film that angles to look at the classic Vampire film from a new perspective: the victim, and specifically a victim being groomed to become a vampiric bride. The film walks a fine line between dark and depraved and modern and accessible fairly well. The picture certainly favors its grim overtones, and rightly so, but there's just enough human connectivity with the main character to bring balance to the darkness and the various scares and bursts of violence that define the film at its most superficial level.
Sony's 1080p Blu-ray release of The Invitation arrives on Blu-ray with a high yield, high quality presentation. The digitally sourced image is very clean with only light noise to contend with from time to time. The picture sparkles, even in darkness, and delivers impeccably sharp textures which capture the elegance, but underlying terrors, on all of the mansion furnishings. Even in low light, even in the most visually challenging shots, scenes, and sequences, the Blu-ray never wants for additional resolution power. Clarity extends to fine skin details and resplendent clothing textures as well. Color output is terrific. There is a nice blend of light and dark, vividness and blacks, at play, and the image offers sparkling primaries with the same attention to abundant life as it does the inkiest, truest blacks. This is a gorgeous image from Sony.
The track dominates right out of the gate. Voices float through the stage, thunder cracks with impressive depth and lingering space, heavy footfalls set a chilling atmosphere, dark and foreboding sound effects punish the listening area, winds gust through, musical clarity is wide and immersive and precise, and dialogue is clear. The opening moments truly set the stage for the full audio experience. Indeed, Sony's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless track proves that there is still plenty of viable life in the classic 5.1 configuration. This is one of the most dynamic, intense, detailed, and engaging tracks on the market. The audio engineering is spectacular, revealing remarkable stage presence and precision detail to every element. There's not much more that needs to be said. This is one of the most fundamentally awesome tracks ever mixed and presented on Blu-ray. Home theater and film audio just don't get any better.
This Blu-ray release of The Invitation includes bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, and three featurettes. Also included are two cuts of
the
film: the Theatrical (1:45:05) and Unrated (1:45:52) versions. No DVD copy is included. However, Sony has bundled in a Movies Anywhere digital
copy
code. A non-embossed slipcover is also included.
This is a movie best enjoyed as a fine-tuned example of escapist Horror; it's not going to redefine the rulebook, but it does know its way around the genre. It strikes a great balance between its look, feel, story, and characters, emphasizing the former two but never forgetting about the latter two, either. Sony's Blu-ray delivers unquestionably reference audio and 1080p video that is right there with the soundtrack. The extras are not substantial but they satisfy; a director's commentary would have been most welcome. Recommended.
Malenka / Malenka, the Niece of the Vampire / Malenka, the Vampire / The Vampire's Niece
1969
2014
Count Dracula and His Vampire Bride
1973
1973
2001
The Authentic Cut
2011
2018
Brother of the Vampire
1976
The Legend of Blood Castle | Standard Edition | Ceremonia sangrienta
1973
La Mansión de la Niebla
1972
1973
2014
2013
La morte negli occhi del gatto / Corringa / Cat's Murdering Eye
1973
Collector's Edition
1963
Dungeons of Horror
1962
Soif de sang
1979
1970
1972
1970