Why So Blu?

Creepshow: Season 1 (Blu-ray Review)

It’s the most fun you’ll ever have being scared! From showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead) comes a new anthology horror series inspired by George A. Romero’s iconic 1982 classic film. A comic book comes to life in twelve chilling tales told across six episodes featuring stories by Joe Hill (NOS4A2), Joe Lansdale (Bubba Ho-Tep), Josh Malerman (Bird Box) and more. Haunted dollhouses, werewolves, mischievous creatures, villainous trick-or-treaters and the undead are just a few things you’ll see. You never know what will be on the next page…

Season 1 

Picking up where George A. Romero’s Creepshow franchise left off 30-years ago is Creepshow: Season 1 on Blu-ray. Greg Nicotero is executive producer and has spearheaded a nice production filled with many familiar faces in front and behind the camera.

In this anthology set, Creepshow Season 1 contains 6 episodes. Each episode is made up of 2 tales, which run about 23-25 minutes in length each. Each episode is filled with horror, monsters, social issues, irony, questionable morals, and usually a messed up ending that may or may not right the wrongs in each of their worlds.

The Creeper also makes his triumphant return to the screen to sort of lead you into each episode, he comes back at the end to sort of taunt the viewer. It’s weird that this version of the Creeper does not talk at all. He just laughs. I get that budget limitations were probably the issue but still. What this show also does, that’s pretty clever, is that certain scenes in the episodes, like Bad Wolf Down, incorporate cool comic book panel artwork in with some of the filmed sequences.

I understand from listening to the audio commentary tracks that the series had a tight budget and filming schedule. Nicotero makes mention that each episode took about 3-days to shoot. Creepshow: Season 1 had originally made its premiere on the horror film streaming network Shudder. I do not subscribe to Shudder, so it was a real treat to dig into this set via the Blu-ray format. In fact, When I barreled through the set, which took a couple of hours to do, I went back and listened to each and every audio commentary track. I love “film school in a box” type of Blu-rays. It’s been a really long time since someone, outside of Criterion, has put out a set like this.

In any event, if you’re a fan of the original films, I think you’ll dig the series. I hear that the show got renewed for a second season, so here’s hoping that one will also get an eventual release on the Blu-ray format. For now, Creepshow: Season 1 is worthy of your time and money.

 

Episode 1 – Gray Matter / House of the Head

Episode 2 – Bad Wolf Down / The Finger

Episode 3 – All Hallow’s Eve / The Man in the Suitcase

Episode 4 – The Companion / Lydia Layne’s Better Half

Episode 5 – Night of the Paw / Times is Tough in Musky Holler

Episode 6 – Skincrawlers / By the Silver Waters of Lake Champlain

 

Video

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Clarity/Detail: Creepshow: Season 1 on Blu-ray looks great — even thought it was filmed on digital — every episode has some weight, or at least looks like it was filmed in 35mm. Contrast and sharpness levels are clearly defined, without any instances of DNR, boosting, or edge enhancement.

Depth: Again, you would think that the series was shot on film. Certain episodes have a very warm tone to them – depending on the theme. Some look warm, some look cool, as if the filmmakers took environmental concerns and transmuted them over to the transfer.

Black Levels: Black levels are deep and inky. I did not notice any hints of crush or shadow delineation.

Color Reproduction:  The color palette is expansive. Depending on the story, you can have a nicely muted tale of terror one minute and then a colorful looking one the next. Banding and pixilation were not a problem.

Flesh Tones: Everyone looked great except when they didn’t. The make-up artists did a great job on all the episodes and this transfer is a testament to their skills.

Noise/Artifacts: Noise, debris, artifacts were not an issue on this Blu-ray release.

 

Audio

Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD MA 5.1

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Dynamics: Creepshow: Season 1 is given the full DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless treatment and it does not let the listener down whatsoever. It’s an aggressive and dynamic soundtrack that will surely please the horror aficionados out there in Blu-ray land. Clear channel separation and an overall immersive really highlight what the sound mixers have brought to the table.

Low-Frequency Extension: The LFE subwoofer enhances the overall bass tone, especially when the episode calls for monsters that growl and roar. The LFE channel also comes in handy during scenes that do not involve creatures. Someone gets their head cracked open – the LFE will also make a dent.

Surround Sound Presentation: The surround sound channels also take advantage of the expansive sound field. If you’re not careful, a creepy crawly will sneak up from the rear channels and land on your head. There are plenty of instances where the surround sound channels show their quality.

Dialogue Reproduction: Dialogue levels are nicely balanced throughout each episode. I could understand everyone even when they were screaming in terror.

 

Extras

Creepshow: Season 1 is loaded up with over three hours of supplemental material. You may be asking yourself why the perfect score for the extras – three hours is nothing. Well, the answer is because every single episode included in this set has an audio commentary with the director and/or cast member. There are six episodes and each episode is made up of two tales of horror. You get two audio commentary tracks per episode. The tracks are also fun and lively and definitely not boring. I love commentary tracks and listening to Greg Nicotero (he’s done his fair share of commentary tracks throughout the years) was great. Again, TWELVE audio commentary tracks! That’s just awesome.

• Cast and Crew Interviews
• Behind the Scenes Footage
• Easter Eggs Featurette
• Audio Commentaries with Cast and Crew
• Photo Galleries
• Comic Art Booklet
• “Glow in the Dark” Slipcover (while supplies last)

 

Summary

Having watched the entire Creepshow: Season 1 all I can say is I WANT MORE! They were a lot of fun and the spirit of the original films were still there, along with some Tales from the Crypt flourishes. The Blu-ray set has stellar video/audio and special features. Horror fans, this one is a no-brainer, and is highly recommended!

 

The images used above within the review are not actual Blu-ray screenshots. They are for illustrative purposes only.

 

 

Creepshow: Season 1 will be

available June 2, 2020!

 

ORDER NOW!