Why So Blu?

The Green Inferno – The Director’s Cut (Blu-ray Review)

An international goodwill mission goes terrifyingly wrong in The Green Inferno, the highly anticipated return to classic cult horror from iconic director Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel  1&2 ), available on Digital HD December 22, 2015 and Blu-ray and DVD as well as On Demand on January 5, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The Green Inferno is a gruesomely spectacular journey into the heart of darkness that will have audiences on the edge of their seats.  The first feature film directed by Roth since Hostel: Part II, The Green Inferno stars Lorenza Izzo (Aftershock, “Hemlock Grove”), Ariel Levy (The Stranger, Best Worst Friends), Aaron Burns (The Stranger, Best Worst Friends) and Kirby Bliss Blanton (Project X, Candy From Strangers). The screenplay is by Eli Roth and Guillermo Amoedo (Knock Knock, Aftershock).

Film 

New York college student Justine meets student activist Alejandro when he goes on a hunger strike on behalf of underpaid janitors. Smitten, she agrees to help Alejandro undertake his next project: rescuing an Amazon village from destruction by a greedy multinational corporation.  But Justine soon comes to regret her decision when their plane crashes in the Peruvian jungle and the students realize they are not alone. No good deed goes unpunished as the well-meaning students are captured by the cannibalistic tribe they came to save.

Its weird that I’m of two worlds here on Eli Roth’s The Green Inferno.  Its a matter for what his intention is with this.  Is he trying to make a bold and dangerous film akin to that of Cannibal Holocaust?  Or is he trying to be inspired by that to make a more popcorn friendly, multiplex entertainment kinda movie.  If its the former, he’s way far off.  Cannibal Holocaust still outdoes this one in realism, danger and pushing the limitations of the audience.  The Green Inferno is almost a kid friendly take, shying away from stuff that would put it over the top or into a daring direction.

For a more safer, pop-horror film, this one does the trick to being a mainstream cannibal film.  People that can’t handle the notorious 70s and 80s films may be able to take this.  However, it STILL could be too much for them to handle, too.  There is a thriller and suspense element to the movie that Roth tackles very well, and you’re really not wanting stuff to happen to these people (Mainly because you don’t want to SEE it).

My wife (not a horror fan) happened to catch the film where it showed most of “the goods” and was plenty repulsed by it.  Then something clicked for me about this film.  I asked her, “If you changed the tribal members to zombies, would you still be as grossed out and offended”.  She said probably not.  And there’s where I found the disconnect between this and its predecessors.  It plays and acts more like a zombie film if the undead could think and form a community than a brutal cannibal film about a tribe that does unspeakable acts (This one touches the FGM topic in a classroom setting at the beginning, but the films of yesteryear actually filmed the stuff).

Whatever it is, The Green Inferno is a decent jaunt into a horror genre that hasn’t seen the light of day in over 30 years.  It features fantastic practical effects that hold up extremely well on this Blu-ray.  If you’re into gore, you’re going to be happy.  I also found the characters, both the likable and despicable ones, to be an enjoyable batch to take a trip with.  However, our lead’s roommate was my favorite and she is out after the first act (She doesn’t take the cannibal death trip).  If you come by it and you’re curious, check it out.  But, if you can’t handle zombie stuff even, stay away.

Video 

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Clarity/Detail:  Don’t worry, unlike the films that inspired The Green Inferno, this one has a razor sharp, crystal clear image to soak in all the cannibalistic, body dismembering, eye-chomping goodness.  Every detail of forest, ligaments, clothing and the like are document with window-like clarity.

Depth:  Some of the flight shots and establishing ones are quite beautiful to behold.  There is a good display of spacing and clean, clear movement in this transfer.

Black Levels:  Blacks are inky and done quite well.  Hair and fabrics that contain the color still have a crisp visible detail on follicles, patterns and textures.

Color Reproduction:  Colors pop beautifully.  Its a vivid looking picture that splashes with gorgeous greens, reds and yellows.

Flesh Tones:  Haha, “Flesh” Tones.  Doubt Brian was thinking of The Green Inferno when he made or our format.  Skin is natural and consistent throughout.  Details like dirt, paint, dried blood, cuts, tattoos…all if it comes through with tremendous clarity and marvelous detail from any distance.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean

Audio 

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

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Dynamics:  A nice clean track that helps bring a sense of place and a bit of intensity to the viewing.  Sound effects are well rounded and grossly detailed here in the mix.  Music, vocals and effects travel along harmonious with one-another in well-balanced 5.1 mix.

Low Frequency Extension:  Drum hits, crashes, gunfire and some slicing all get a nice complimentary rumble from the LFE.

Surround Sound Presentation:  The jungle/forest comes to life quite well here.  There are some playful touches in the rear channels.  Movements and placement in the front speakers comes with great accuracy and fulfillment.

Dialogue Reproduction:  Crisp, loud and plenty of clarity.

Extras 

The Green Inferno comes with an UltraViolet Digital Copy of the film

Audio Commentary

• With Co-writer/Director/Producer Eli Roth, Producer Nicolas Lopez and stars Lorenza Izzo, Aaron Burns, Kirby Bliss Blanton and Daryl Sabara

Summary 

The Green Inferno is a nice modern return to the cannibal films of the 1970s and 80s.  However, it plays it more safely as a multiplex gore-heavy horror thriller than the daring “I can’t believe this is happening” cannibal film its aping.  Granted, for some (many) people it WILL be that film.  The Blu-ray pulls a pretty stunning image with great sound.  Its lacking in the bonus features department, but a commentary with Eli Roth talking for an hour and forty minute suffices.  Pick up for those who are fans of the film.  If you’re curious, definitely rent it first (Cuz I’m sure many might not finish it).