Blu-Ray Review: 3D Rocks in HD Version of ‘My Bloody Valentine’

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CHICAGO – 3D still doesn’t look nearly as impressive at home as it does in a crowded theater, but “My Bloody Valentine,” now on Blu-Ray and DVD, is easily the best-looking attempt to bring that experience into your living room to date.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

I remember the first time I ever saw an HD picture. The person showing it to me praised the “nearly 3D” quality of the picture and, at its best, 1080P really does look like you can reach in and grab whatever is on display. Now imagine that picture quality with an actual 3D film. It’s not perfect - 3D on a home TV still has yet to be mastered - but it’s pretty jaw-dropping.

My Bloody Valentine was released on Blu-Ray on May 19th, 2009.
Photo credit: LionsGate

What about the film itself? “My Bloody Valentine” is an above-average slasher pic in 2D or 3D (although the filmmakers have a lot of fun with the gimmick.) In fact, it’s one of the rare horror movie remakes that’s better than the original. Significantly better.

Ironically set in the town of Harmony, “My Bloody Valentine” has a relatively simple slasher pic set-up. A mine worker named Harry Warden is accused of killing his fellow miners after an accident to conserve oxygen. When he wakes up from a coma himself, Harry goes on a vicious, over-the-top, gleefully gory killing spree before being taken down himself.

My Bloody Valentine was released on Blu-Ray on May 19th, 2009. Photo credit: LionsGate

Or was he? Ten years later, a man in a miner helmet starts butchering people again with a pick axe. Has Harry returned? Or is there someone else playing copycat crazy?

Even though I think “My Bloody Valentine” wears out its welcome a bit at an overlong 103 minutes and with a relatively uninspired final act, there is more than enough to recommend a rental here and a purchase for serious horror fans. The film is laugh-out-loud ridiculous. People don’t just die. They get their head halved by a shovel or ripped to pieces as body parts fly into your living room.

What distinguishes director Patrick Lussier’s work on “Valentine” is that he knows the movie doesn’t need to take itself seriously. Recent horror remakes like “When a Stranger Calls” and “Prom Night” were so deadly dull. “My Bloody Valentine” is a far-more-twisted version of the original with its severed tongue completely in cheek. Consequently, it’s the rare remake that actually not only works but exceeds the original.

The cast, including Jensen Ackles (“Supernatural”), Jaime King (“Sin City”), and Kerr Smith do better-than-average work, especially for the slasher remake genre. In particular, Ackles, who has been consistently great and underrated on his CW show, proves yet again that he could be a star with the right part.

My Bloody Valentine was released on Blu-Ray on May 19th, 2009. Photo credit: LionsGate

The Blu-Ray picture for “My Bloody Valentine” is a beauty, perfectly mixed in 1080P High Definition. Both the 3D and 2D versions of the film are included and I noticed no visual flaws in either. The sound mix is even better with a bone-shaking English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Warn your neighbors before they hear the screaming and call the cops.

An amazing collection of special features has been provided for “My Bloody Valentine” although the widely-advertised “Alternate Ending” is something of a scam. It’s barely different. Don’t get your hopes too high.

Far more interesting are the commentary track by Pussier and co-writer Todd Farmer, “Deep Inside My Bloody Valentin, ” Sex, Blood, and Screams,” and a nice collection of deleted and extended scenes that illustrate just how well edited the final film was in post-production. A gag reel, LionsGate’s MoLog BD-Live feature, and the new “Lionsgate Live” BD-Live feature are also included.

“My Bloody Valentine 3D” is yet another case of a movie that’s just good being given a Blu-Ray treatment that’s inarguably great. 3D clearly isn’t going anywhere. Jump on the bandwagon and check out one of the more unique films in the resurrgence with one of the best horror Blu-Ray releases of the year to date.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com