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Category:    Home > Reviews > Horror > Monster > Creature > C.H.U.D. (1984/MVD Visual/Arrow Blu-ray Set)

C.H.U.D. (1984/MVD Visual/Arrow Blu-ray Set)



Picture: B Sound: B Extras: B Film: B



The 1984 Douglas Cheek Sci-fi/Horror film C.H.U.D gets the deluxe Blu-ray treatment from the good folks over at Arrow Films. Fans will rejoice at this two-disc Blu-ray set packed with extras and a great new transfer that finally does the cult film some justice on disc. While some aspects of the film are a little dated, the low budget genre series has had a recent resurgence on Blu-ray disc, with the lesser sequel C.H.U.D. 2: Bud The Chud also scoring a Blu-ray release from Vestron and Lionsgate (see link below).


C.H.U.D. is classic '80s horror cheese and features two stars from the original Home Alone film, John Heard and Daniel Stern, alongside Christopher Curry (Starship Troopers) and Kim Greist (Brazil) to name a few. There's also a brief cameo by John Goodman that's pretty funny.


Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers threaten the lives of humans in C.H.U.D. Created by the Government and forced to dwell in the sewers, a photographer named George (Heard) encounters the creatures that threaten the lives of the homeless that live underground. As things escalate and lives are savagely taken, the glowing eyed monstrous dwellers end up coming to the surface, stalking and killing any that cross their path. Now, the Government must choose between disclosure or wiping out the enemy before they become a threat.


The film doesn't let the limitations of its budget detract away from its story. While watching, it's evident that there didn't have many monster costumes to use. Most of the time onscreen, you only see one or two monsters at a time. High Definition doesn't lend too kindly to some of the film's lesser effects either, especially when showing the Monster hands (which are obviously made of rubber/latex). Though the film makes up for it are the locations and production design of the sewer sets, that are dark and dirty and totally realistic. I would like to see a modern day update on this film, as I feel it could benefit as long as the campy fun was left intact.


Presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the film has been restored in a new 2K high definition and looks better than ever on Blu-ray disc. As mentioned, the film looks so clear in some cases that it hurts some of the realism of the lower budgeted effects in the film, but that doesn't detract away from its enjoyment one bit. The audio mix is a nice original uncompressed Mono PCM track that updates the original mix heard on earlier releases and improves upon them heavily.



Special Features include...

Audio commentary by director Douglas Cheek, writer Shepard Abbott, and actors John Heard, Daniel Stern & Christopher Curry

Brand new crew interviews

Original Theatrical Trailer

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dan Mumford

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's Booklet featuring new writing on the film


This is a great release and a lot of fun to watch again, especially in high definition. I would definitely suggest picking this up if you're a fan of '80s cult cinema.



For more on the first sequel, go to this link...


http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/14584/C.H.U.D.+2:+Bud+The+C.H.U.D.+(1989/Vestron



- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/


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