5.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
Casey Beldon hated her mother for abandoning her as a child. But when inexplicable events begin to happen, Casey begins to understand why she left. Plagued by merciless dreams and a tortured ghost that haunts her waking hours, she must turn to the only person, Rabbi Sendak, who can make it stop. With the help of Sendak, her best friend Romy and boyfriend Mark, Casey uncovers the source of a family curse dating back to Nazi Germany--a creature with the ability to inhabit anyone or anything that is getting stronger with each possession. With the curse unleashed, her only chance at survival is to shut a doorway from beyond our world that has been pried open by someone who was never born.
Starring: Odette Annable, Gary Oldman, Cam Gigandet, Meagan Good, Idris ElbaHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 97% |
Supernatural | 35% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
German: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, German, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
BD-Live
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
I wish I could pinpoint the precise moment American Horror died. Purists will tell you that the recent rash of uninspired remakes and superficial revamps have crippled the genre. Cinephiles often blame Hollywood's seeming inability to generate fresh ideas, as well as its insistence on skimming concepts from other countries that have a firmer grasp on the macabre. Gorehounds tend to point to the influx of mass market, PG-13 releases and, ultimately, the dilution of the genre. Whatever the reason, it's become all too clear to me that studios have completely lost touch with genuine horror. So it was with a heavy heart and great trepidation that I approached writer/director David S. Goyer and producer Michael Bay's The Unborn, a bumbling, neutered genre pic that mews every time it attempts to roar.
Take note: you won't be doing any of this while watching 'The Unborn.'
The Unborn features a slick, oft-times striking 1080p/VC-1 transfer that renders Goyer's limp beasties with a technical proficiency befitting a more substantial release. Cinematographer James Hawkinson has intentionally stripped his palette of primary punch -- offering bleak, wintery hues in place of searing reds or vibrant blues -- but crisp contrast, bottomless blacks, and absorbing shadows combine forces to produce a strong and stable image. While a few scenes (chief among them a post-copulation chat between Casey and Mark) lack the refined textures that frequent the rest of the film, fine detail and overall clarity is quite impressive. Better still, Goyer's special effects and CG enhanced visuals are fairly seamless, even under the scrutiny of such a revealing high definition presentation. Even though a few late-in-the-game dybbuk flare-ups are plagued by noticeable (albeit negligible) artifacts, the picture remains steady and consistent throughout. All in all, I didn't encounter any significant digital anomalies, color banding, unsightly edge enhancement, or meddlesome noise reduction. It may not be the greatest transfer Universal has released on the market, but it is a noteworthy effort that helps ease the pain of watching The Unborn unfold.
Despite having all the subtlety of a blaring boombox in a local haunted house, The Unborn's faithful DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track gets the job done, forcing the listener to peak around every sonic corner and peer into every aural shadow until an inevitable blast of sound sends them retreating into their seats. Dialogue -- whispered, muttered, or screamed -- remains clear and intelligible, low-end support is weighty and robust, and rear speaker activity is aggressive... at least when called upon. Much of Goyer's story takes place in dusty abandoned buildings, quiet houses, and empty forests. As such, the mix can be a bit front-heavy at times, pulling the soundfield forward and inadvertently pushing the audience out of the film. Thankfully, the majority of the experience is enveloping, relying on precise ambient effects, convincing interior acoustics, and chilling pans to make the most of Goyer's all-too-expected scares. It certainly isn't the most frightening lossless track you'll encounter, but it is a competent and commendable one. Anyone who finds themselves sinking into Casey's world will be pleased with the results.
I didn't enjoy The Unborn, but I was still disappointed by Universal's decision to forgo a proper supplemental package. Aside from a small batch of deleted scenes (HD, 7 minutes), the Blu-ray edition doesn't offer anything more than a My Scenes bookmarking feature and BD-Live functionality.
The Unborn could have been an unsettling standout packed with leering corpses and disturbing visions. Instead, it's yet another weaksauce attempt to scare a teenage audience; a plodding and predictable bore that doesn't rejuvenate, re-energize, or reinvent its genre. At least Universal has put together a solid Blu-ray disc. Ignoring the fact that its supplemental package is a piddly seven-minutes long, The Unborn arrives with an excellent video transfer and a relatively impressive DTS-HD Master Audio track. A rental is definitely in order for the flick itself, but anyone who digs Goyer's supernatural chiller will be more than satisfied with Universal's high definition presentation.
2009
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Unrated
2008
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2008
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Theatrical + Unrated Alternate Cut
2007
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Unrated
2007
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Unrated Director's Cut
2010