Valentine Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Valentine Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 14, 2019

After the 1996 release of “Scream,” horror suddenly found itself popular again, engaging with a new generation by mixing old tricks with new commentary, giving rise to the popularity of self-aware productions stacked with a roster of pretty people. Director Jamie Blanks participated in the movement with 1998’s “Urban Legend,” emerging with a modest hit, but one that kept the trend alive, paving the way for more similarly themed endeavors to follow. With 2001’s “Valentine,” Blanks makes a choice to move away from the growing routine, looking to craft throwback entertainment with the effort, which takes its inspiration from early ‘80s slasher films. Blanks isn’t completely successful with “Valentine,” which is weighed down by numerous problems, but in the midst of familiarity, Blanks chose to go retro, doing so with hopes to achieve frights from direct shots of stalking and stabbing. His attempt is admirable, but can’t quite get the feature to the point of hysteria it needs to reach.

In junior high school, young Jeremy (Joel Palmer) was shut down by a group of females during a Valentine’s Day dance, with Dorothy finally agreeing to a private meeting, only to be horrified when her connection to the outcast is exposed by bullies, who physically assault the boy. Years later, Dorothy (Jessica Capshaw) is struggling with her love life, putting her faith into low-level con man Campbell (Daniel Cosgrove). Her friends are also struggling with the ways of dating, finding Paige (Denise Richards) and Lily (Jessica Cauffiel) unable to find suitable men, while Kate (Marley Shelton) is trying to move past her ex, Adam (David Boreanaz), who’s attempting to squeeze his way back into her life, recently giving up alcohol. Arriving to help with Valentine’s Day plans is a killer in a Cupid mask prone to nosebleeds, who stalks the women one-by-one, threatening them with traditional holiday greetings before setting out to kill them, creating panic in the group, who turn to Detective Vaughn (Fulvio Cecere) for help as they try to uncover who’s behind the surge in violence.

Blanks isn’t breaking new ground with “Valentine,” which sticks to slasher formula, charting the rise of a masked killer and a collection of young people he’s looking to murder. The angle offered here is Valentine’s Day, continuing the genre’s use of seasonal events to aid in cinematic atmosphere, charting the exasperation of friends who can’t deal with men, despite trying their best to play by dating world rules. There’s a certain level of freshness to the screenplay in this regard, as “Valentine” tries to give the pains of romance some attention, finding the characters constantly interacting with creepy or underwhelming guys, with a female perspective prized by the production. It’s not a complete idea, as empowerment tends to only get so far before the ladies expose their weakness for partnership at any price, but the effort is noticeable.

“Valentine” delves into heartbreak and horrible behavior, but it ultimately falls in line with genre demands, watching Cupid target the junior high mafia, which also includes med student Shelley (Katherine Heigl). Cupid has his methods of intimidation, sending macabre cards to his victims to help telegraph his moves, and Lily actually receives a box of maggot-filled chocolates. Little offerings of rage are amusing, but Blanks is eventually in charge of kill scenes, and while some work (one character is filled with arrows, another is ambushed while in a hot tub), the rest aren’t very inventive, and the picture has a weird habit in its final act of following fringe players to their doom, lessening any dramatic involvement and slowing pace. Blanks pays attention to horror masters, giving the endeavor a properly eerie score from Don Davis and stylish lensing from Rick Bota, but as well-intentioned as it is, “Valentine” goes limp often, only really sparking to life when it pits Cupid against his primary targets, giving fans extended pursuits and ill-fated acts of self-preservation.

Valentine Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Offering a "New 2K scan of the original film elements," the AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation handles the stylish look of the surprisingly expensive feature. There is a slightly darker visual presence that slightly diminishes cinematographic vibrancy, but that's a small issue in an otherwise appealing viewing experience. Detail is capable as period costumes are displayed, capturing silky and smooth outfits. Facial surfaces are textured, and the cherub mask retains its rubbery appeal. Locations are open for survey, and interiors retain their decoration. Hues are satisfactory, with the production pushing red everywhere, from holiday celebrations to bloodshed. More animated hues from outfits and party enhancements are equally secure, and greenery does well during a few outdoor excursions. Delineation is communicative. Source in strong shape, without elements of damage.

Valentine Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix does exactly what it sets out to do, which is to provide an atmospheric understanding of suspense and stalking sequences. Surrounds are engaged with mild panning effects and community movement during party and art opening scenes. Scoring is effective, handling delicate character themes and more forceful stings of oncoming violence. Instrumentation is defined. Soundtrack selections are acceptable but rarely amplified to expectation, finding most celebratory scenes keeping music lowered to best support dialogue exchanges. Performances are clear and expressive. Low-end isn't significant, but some bass-heavy cuts carry weight, along with some harder acts of survival.

Valentine Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Jamie Blanks and filmmaker Don Coscarelli.

• Commentary #2 features Blanks.

• "Thrill of the Drill" (9:41, HD) discusses "Valentine" with Denise Richards, who explores her initial interest in the horror endeavor, with the actress hired without an audition. She describes working with Blanks, feeding off his positive energy, and goes into detail about her character, trying to do something with the part. Richards explores cast bonding during the happy shoot, and the joys of the Hollywood premiere. There's also talk of the picture's feminist message and influence over a new legion of fans.

• "The Final Girl" (13:54, HD) sits down with Marley Shelton, who shares her love of horror and study of the genre, happy to take part in "Valentine." Shelton is mindful of the picture's time capsule appeal with style and technology, but also reinforces how the movie was prescient with its overview of dating world issues and female empowerment. There's a discussion of character and Blanks, who offered a comfortable set atmosphere that allowed for dramatic study, and Shelton details cast camaraderie. Anecdotes are presented, along with another perspective on the premiere and the cult longevity of "Valentine."

• "Shot Through the Heart" (23:03, HD) features Jessica Cauffiel, who's very excited to talk about "Valentine," with the project coming into her life during a time when she was struggling as a young actress, in need of work. A positive audition got her the job, with Blanks actually tailoring the part to Cauffiel's natural energy, making for a pleasing shoot. The interviewee offers thoughts on the female-fronted horror effort, and she provides amusing anecdotes concerning the reality of a make-out scene with an unenthused co-star, and the punishment of stunt work, which required her to hang over a staircase for hours. Co-stars are celebrated, along with crew, and Cauffiel describes the movie's position in the female empowerment movement.

• "Writing 'Valentine'" (64:33, HD) is a lengthy conversation with screenwriters Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts, who work their way through career choices and their participation in the "Valentine" writing process. The pair are very complimentary about the movie, examining creative decisions and character beats. They also discuss their dismissal from the project when the studio required more warmth. Veterans of television productions, Berg and Harberts describe the differences working in both fields of entertainment.

• "Editing 'Valentine'" (27:50, HD) surveys the ways of cutting film with Steve Mirkovich, who acquired the "Valentine" gig due to his history working with John Carpenter, including the shaping of the extended fight scene in "They Live." Mirkovich recalls his initial meetings with Blanks and their creative process putting the movie together. Technique and interests are shared, and Mirkovich describes the changing appetites of audiences, who want harder, faster offerings these days.

• "Scoring 'Valentine'" (11:53, HD) is a short conversation with Don Davis, who details his time with Blanks, and how he built a case for scene-based motifs instead of character themes.

• Behind the Scenes (114:21, SD) is a superb overview of the "Valentine" shoot, with cameras sent anywhere and everywhere during the production to best capture how the ins and outs of the film were created. There's something for everyone here, highlighting technical achievements, cast camaraderie and goofballery, and basic day-to-day work. It's fly-on-the-wall footage that's remarkable, reinforcing cast and crew claims that making "Valentine" was a lot of fun.

• Press Kit (17:21, SD) presents cast and crew interviews and B-roll footage.

• Deleted Scenes (8:40, SD) offer a little more information on Jeremy Melton's troubled home life, delivers additional interplay among the best friends, and collects brief snippets of extended violence and one slightly different reveal of a dead body.

• Music Video (2:53, SD) is a clip-based offering for "Opticon," from the band Orgy.

• Still Gallery (4:12) offers publicity stills, poster art, and lobby cards.

• T.V. Spots (1:23, SD) provide five commercials for "Valentine."

• And a Teaser Trailer (:40, SD) and a Theatrical Trailer (1:27, SD) are included.

Valentine Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A box office bomb during its initial theatrical release, "Valentine" has gone on to develop a quiet cult following, giving the picture something of a sustained life, with fans responding warmly to the basic moves of the feature. Blanks shows his genre love here, but not much directorial authority or storytelling care, signing off on some subpar performances and a terrible conclusion that's meant to cross eyes but ends up rolling them instead. "Valentine" doesn't connect as thrillingly or cohesively as it could, but it has ideas and intent that play differently in 2019, offering something to study as Blanks gradually diminishes the scares in his slasher tribute.