Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		2.5

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Blu-ray Movie Review

Far from perfection.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 25, 2015

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection is currently only available as part of the four-film, two-disc "Attack Pack."

Perfection's population has dwindled to five, but its handful of residents are keeping things ticking along well enough with the mildly lucrative Graboid tourism business. Chang's Market has become a tourist trap operated by his niece Jodi (Susan Chuang). Jack Sawyer (Shawn Christian) leads "safaris" through Graboid country, milking customers for cold beverages while they wait out an "attack" on a hot rock. Burt (Michael Gross) still calls the dust his home, and he's reinforced and restocked his bunker. Also hanging around are Miguel (Tony Genaro), Nancy (Charlotte Stewart), and Nancy's daughter Mindy (Ariana Richards). Despite a few hurdles -- the feds want to stop Graboid hunting while Melvin (Robert Jayne), now a real estate tycoon, wants to buy up and develop the land -- the townsfolk band together to defend themselves when the Graboids, the Shriekers, and a new monster permutation threaten all they have.

This isn't good.

Tremors 3's main selling point comes by way of a return to Perfection. Yet even with no less than five returning characters (and cast members) making it back for this third installment of the popular Monster franchise, the film stumbles early and never quite recovers. Hurting is the absence of the "big guns" from the original, minus Michael Gross: Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, and Reba McEntire are nowhere to be seen. Yet the largest problems run deeper than who's here and who's not. The film suffers from extending itself too far, trying to stay relevant by offering yet another monster permutation that feels ridiculous in the wake of the Shrieker reveal in Tremors 2: Aftershocks. The digital creature effects don't work very well, either. Pacing is questionable and the characters beyond Burt -- even returning favorites -- lack the charisma and chemistry of the first film. It's an entertaining little escape, but it doesn't bode well for the franchise's fortunes moving forward.

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection features a fairly bland and flat 1080p transfer. Details, particularly facial details, prove rather flat and absent complexity. Only desert terrain and some weathered wood and other heavily textured bits stand out. Colors are likewise somewhat dull. Black levels could stand a bit more balance, particularly as they push slightly gray. The print sees some minor speckling throughout, and grain is miniscule.

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is as disappointing as its 1080p video. It lacks authority and space. Music is flat and limps through the speakers. Gunfire and explosions -- whether the barrage of machine gun fire near the beginning or a huge explosion later in the film -- never feel so heavy and real as to place the listener in manufactured danger. Minor ambience -- blowing arid wind -- helps but never really excels. Dialogue is clean and focused in the center.

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection includes only Spotlight on Location (480i, 14:44), a short behind the scenes featurette.

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection suffers from sequel-itis. It tries hard. It really does. Returning several familiar characters and actors and regrouping back in Perfection was the right idea, but the execution is lacking. This is still a fair little slice of escapism, but fans expecting this film to recapture the magic of the classic original will probably be disappointed. Universal's Blu-ray release of Tremors 3: Back to Perfection features bland video and audio. One supplement is included. Worth owning for the die-hard series fan, but it's otherwise best enjoyed as a rental.