Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Vampire in Brooklyn Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 10, 2020

There have been plenty of dark and scary Vampire movies, there have been plenty of light and humorous Vampire movies, there have even been some trying to be hip and happening and pandering. But Vampire in Brooklyn attempts to join together the whole spectrum but does so to relatively poor effect, a shame considering the big names -- Eddie Murphy, Wes Craven -- attached to the project. Audiences would rightly expect something superior to this, a sluggish effort primarily held back by sloppy writing, here a death knell that even A-list talent on both sides of the camera cannot salvage.

Vampire Maximillian's (Eddie Murphy) ship runs aground in Brooklyn. No sooner does the creature of the night step foot in the city does he find a young man, Julius Jones (Kadeem Hardison), whom he transforms not into a full-fledged vampire but rather a slowly decaying ghoul meant to serve his every need. The vampire's mission: to find new life in the arms of a young woman. Failure will result in death. He quickly finds his prey in Detective Rita Veder (Angela Bassett) who is on the case of the trail of bodies left in Max's wake. Little does she know she shares a vampiric heritage with Max, one that will change her world forever, unless her partner, Detective Justice (Allen Payne), can piece together the truth before Rita is fully converted into a bloodsucking immortal.

This is an interesting project for Craven. It’s a film that holds the Horror elements fans of his work will know from movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street, but there is of course a corresponding lightness, too, a bit more reminiscent of the self-aware Scream. But Vampire is certainly its own creature, so to speak, and Craven does his best to inject it first and foremost with the Horror know-how that made him a household name. On the other side of the camera is Murphy, the film a departure for him to be sure (though he would go on to star in the substandard Coming to America, The Nutty Professor, and Beverly Hills Cop. It’s refreshing to find a movie in which both director and lead actor tackle a project that is in some ways out of character and out of their comfort zones while still in other ways playing to their strengths. Too bad the end result is so tepid.

The movie aches to be great and indeed opens well enough with a healthy marriage of horror and humor, portending a blend of brooding atmosphere and escapist fun. But the picture quickly deteriorates in its second act as it becomes bogged down with its rather lame supporting characters and directionless plot points. The movie is ultimately more concept than execution, though not for a lack of effort. Craven nicely balances the dark atmosphere and straightforward direction, doing all he can to build the supporting content while allowing Murphy to shine. His star does all he can with the role but never quite commits himself to it, refusing to go too scary or too funny, or better yet blending both together in what would have been one of the finest Vampire characters to ever grace the screen. Instead the film exemplifies missed opportunity, a shame considering the substantial potential in play.

Vampire in Brooklyn Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The film is dark and brooding and very atmospheric but nevertheless looks quite nice. As with many of Paramount's recent catalogue releases, Vampire in Brooklyn enjoys a fine and firm grain structure, one which is flattering and relates the picture's filmic roots quite nicely. It's 25 minutes until audiences are treated to a respite from the darkness by way of a daytime exterior shot and a well lit police station interior. Here, the transfer reveals its best: fine grain and tight and accurate details. It's another fine, highly agreeable visual film-sourced feast from Paramount. Even as much of the movie's remainder takes place in dark and low light, audiences will never struggle to appreciate the studio's work on this one. There's no obvious processing, no print damage, nothing getting in the way of the source's innate excellence. Even the copious amounts of fog and steam that populate the movie never struggle to present smoothly and naturally. Colors are strong though certainly darker elements prevail. But reds are a highlight for tonal clarity, accuracy, and stability, flesh tones appear true, and black levels are excellent, leaving no issue with the film's nearly relentless dark and shadow dominant play.

Vampire in Brooklyn Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Vampire in Brooklyn bites into Blu-ray with an agreeable, active, and nicely detailed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It delivers a number of discrete effects over the opening monologue introducing a few morsels of backstory, and moments later, with fuller stage engagement, as a ship crashes into a shack. Throughout the track is never wanting for more power and purpose and stage command. Thunder cracks through the rears with command in chapter eight, one of several examples of the extended stage engagement as well as the elemental depth and detail in play. Music takes full advantage of every speaker in the configuration. It's immersive and it's loud but it's also well balanced and boasts excellent clarity to boot. Dialogue clarity is fine, as is placement and prioritization.

Vampire in Brooklyn Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Vampire in Brooklyn contains no supplemental content. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

Vampire in Brooklyn Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's really only one movie that walks that fine line between serious Vampire story and lighter support content perfectly, and that's Joel Schumacher's 80s staple The Lost Boys. There's enough talent at work to make Vampire in Brooklyn a close second, but even Murphy and Craven cannot overcome a plodding, weak, and wayward script that struggles to cohesively build a central narrative, never mind balance horror and humor. That's a shame because this is a role Murphy should have devoured. Craven and Cinematographer Mark Irwin do build a wonderfully dense, noir-inspired atmosphere, but the movie ultimately succumbs to its inability to find a voice beyond the aesthetics. Paramount's featureless Blu-ray does deliver high quality video and audio which will please fans. It is to those established fans to whom the disc comes recommended.