4.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
After being rescued and brought to an island, a man discovers that it's inhabitants are experimental animals being turned into strange looking humans, all of it the work of a visionary doctor.
Starring: Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, David Thewlis, Fairuza Balk, Temuera MorrisonHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The story behind the making of 1996’s “The Island of Dr. Moreau” is much more interesting than the film itself. It was once intended to be a spooky take on the H.G. Wells novel (already explored across all forms of media) from director Richard Stanley, but troubles swarmed the production, turning it from an atmospheric chiller into blunt-edged weirdness from helmer John Frankenheimer, who was hired to complete the project, not necessarily clean up the mess. The moviemaking disaster was recounted in the 2014 documentary, “Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Dr. Moreau” (a fascinating watch), providing necessary backstory when viewing the Frankenheimer version of the picture. While it begins with some dramatic purpose, it doesn’t take long for “The Island of Dr. Moreau” to veer into silliness and general storytelling confusion, openly reflecting a nightmarish shoot that lost its way in a most profound manner.
The Director's Cut of "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is the main attraction of this Blu-ray release, with the AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation listed as a "new 2K scan of the interpositive." The Theatrical Cut also included on the disc has not be rescanned. Detail does fine during the viewing experience, offering a slightly softer sense of skin particulars on the cast, preserving sweaty appearances, while creature activity retains most of its makeup textures and hairiness. Island tours offer a reasonably deep look at hut construction and exterior action, getting a sense of isolation at times. Colors are defined, with rich greenery and tropical hues. Skin tones on human characters remain natural, and creature appearances retain their animalistic looks. The whiteness of Dr. Moreau's sunblock is also distinct. Delineation is mostly acceptable, with a few evening scenes teetering on the edge of solidification. Source is in good condition.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix preserves dialogue exchanges, dealing with animal interactions and the somewhat mumbling ways of the cast at times. More defined dramatic offerings are crisp, and unintelligibility isn't an issue. Scoring supports with sharp instrumentation, also working musical moods into the surrounds at times. Atmospherics also go circular, especially during weather events and jungle chases. Low-end perks up with more violent encounters.
One can endure "The Island of Dr. Moreau" as a curiosity. There's entertainment value in watching the film fall apart, with Frankenheimer ignoring story points (including a more substantial understanding of the hybrid community) and some elements of continuity to force all the puzzle pieces together. The picture has plenty of oddity to inspect, with Brando doing his own thing (his time with diminutive co-star Nelson de la Rosa famously inspired the Mini-Me addition to the "Austin Powers" franchise), and Kilmer is trying to be weird, clearly not interested in participating in the production. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" eventually reaches a breaking point where mayhem takes over, but the surge of violence is unearned. It's unpleasant noisiness to cover for a broken effort, and any lasting message on the ways of human savagery is lost to a feature that's largely desperate to put anything onscreen just to get the whole thing over with.
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20th Anniversary Edition
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