Don't
Breathe (2016/Sony Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: C+ Film: B
From
Fede Alvarez, whose feature film debut was the remake/re-imagining of
The Evil Dead (reviewed elsewhere on this site) that came out
a few years ago that got mixed reviews from fans and critics, comes
his much stronger and more original spin on the home invasion genre
in 2016's Don't Breathe. This is by far one of the best
horror/thriller films of the year and features great cinematography
and performances by Dylan Minnette (Goosebumps), Jane Levy
(The Evil Dead), Daniel Zovatto (It Follows), and
Steven Lang (Avatar). The film is produced by the iconic
creators of The Evil Dead trilogy Director Sam Raimi and
Producer Robert Tapert.
Three
friends are getting pretty good at breaking and entering in their
small town of Michigan. They have ripped off several people in town
thanks to Minnette's dad being in the Home Security business. When
they learn that a blind military vet (Lang) has a fortune stashed
away in his home in a run down part of town, they decide to pull off
the ultimate heist while the man is sleeping and walk away with
dreams of moving to the West Coast. Once they get there, they
realize that there are some people that you shouldn't mess with and
horror ensues.
I
don't want to spoil too much from the second and third acts of the
film, but there are quite a few sequences that I found to be pretty
clever including one where all of the lights are turned out and the
teens are forced in live in the blind man's world of darkness, while
he excels in it. This is just one indication that the 'tables are
turned' on a character, which happens several times in the film.
Just when you think someone is safe, the rug gets pulled out from
underneath you. If you like films like Panic Room and Knock
Knock, then you won't want to miss Don't Breathe.
The
film is presented 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect
ratio of 2.39:1 in a stunning transfer that handles darkness and
contrast quite film. As mentioned, the cinematography is top notch
and for a film that takes place primarily at night, the lighting
remains strong and consistent throughout. The sound mix is equally
as impressed in a lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 mix that
brings exhilarating loud sound effects all around the room and keeps
you on the edge of your toes. A Digital Copy is also included for
your tablet or smartphone.
Special
Features include
Deleted
Scenes with Director's Commentary
Commentary
with Director Fede Alvarez, Co-Writer Rodo Sayagues and Actor Stephen
Lang
Five
Featurettes: No Escape, Creating the Creepy House, Meet the Cast,
Man in the Dark
and
The Sounds of Horror
I
think Don't Breathe is one of the better horror flicks I've
seen this year, and further proof that old Fede has some talent and a
good eye for visual style. I'm curious to see what he has in store
for us next.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
