The
Initiation (1984/Arrow Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
B & C+ Sound: B & C+ Extras: B Film: C+
1984's
The Initiation is a film that you can picture playing on a
drive-in screen. Similar to other slashers such as The House On
Sorority Row, the film centers around college age murders in a
sorority and stars Spaceballs actress Daphne Zuniga in her
first leading role. Directed by Larry Stewart (who directed 1973's
Thrill Seekers and not too much after this film) and also
starring Psycho actress Vera Miles, the film follows many
stereotypical slasher film tropes and is a little dated. but is still
a fun film to watch... especially in a grand release such as this
that I would suggest to slasher film fans. The film also stars
Hunter Tylo, Clu Gulager, James Read, Marilyn Kagan, and Robert
Dowdell to name a few.
Haunted
by a recurring dream that involves her childhood, Kelly (Zuniga) is
trying to make it through college life in a challenged female
sorority. Planning a special initiation for her, to break into her
father's huge department store, the group of girls soon find
themselves victim to a grisly murderer who is hell bent on thinning
out their numbers.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1,
the film looks better than it ever has before on Blu-ray disc with
stunning detail and clarity throughout. Restored from the original
35mm film elements, the original uncompressed Mono PCM audio track is
also crystal clear and up to par with what the filmmakers had
originally intended. If you haven't seen this film before or only
seen it on lesser formats, then this is definitely the 'proper' way
to see it.
You
also have the anamorphically enhanced DVD with lossy Dolby Digital
Mono that is passable, but cannot take advantage of the restoration
like the Blu-ray.
Special
Features include...
Brand
new audio commentary by The Hysteria Continues
Brand
new interview with actor Christopher Bradley
Brand
new interview with actress Joy Jones
Original
Theatrical Trailer
Reversible
sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin
Osbourn
+
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's Booklet featuring new
writing on the film by critic James Oliver
Though
short and sweet at around 97 minutes, The Initiation is a fun
trip down slasher lane that has some interesting cinematography and a
great score. If you're a fan of college setting slashers or '80s
horror, then this is one that you don't want to overlook, especially
now that it is available in such grand fashion by Arrow.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
