You’re Next [Blu-Ray]
Director: Adam Wingard
Cast: Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen, Barbara Crampton
Release Date: Available on Blu-Ray & DVD January 14, 2014
A Review By: Kevin Lovell
Film Rating: 9.5/10
Disc Rating: 9/10
Plot Summary:
When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back.
‘You’re Next’ is another one of those horror films that got picked up and stored on a shelf for a few years and as a result, word of mouth began to circulate and it was already a highly anticipated film on most horror fans’
rosters far before it finally got a theatrical release date. Unfortunately it was received with mixed feedback when it was finally widely released. While I certainly can’t speak for anyone other than myself, I think all of the hype might have raised people’s expectations to a point where they expected something completely different than what they were provided with when the time came.
I can’t speak highly enough of ‘You’re Next’ myself, and personally loved the film. I can say without question it is one of my favorite films (both overall and for the horror genre) released in 2013 and it is an exceptional home invasion thriller that provides chills, terror, laughs and just a flat out good time as well as a killer soundtrack that one can’t help but be reminded of John Carpenter’s absolutely stellar soundtracks from the 70s-80s.
The film is directed by Adam Wingard and written by Simon Barrett who previously collaborated on ‘A Horrible Way To Die’ with Wingard also directing ‘Homesick’ and ‘Pop Skull’ (all three of which I viewed prior to seeing ‘You’re Next’ for the first time on the big screen) and while I enjoyed all of their other efforts to various degrees, there is no question whatsoever that ‘You’re Next’ is their most accomplished and impressive effort yet. These two names are ones fellow horror fans are going to want to pay attention to if they are not already doing so. The cast is quite competent and gives perfectly adequate performances all around. Genre fans will notice a number of familiar faces, including AJ Bowen and Joe Swanberg (both of whom were in ‘A Horrible Way To Die’ as well) in addition to Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Barbara Crampton , filmmaker Ti West and more.
OVERALL: ‘You’re Next’ is a brutally fun home invasion thriller and a downright bloody good time. It is one of the best horror films released last year and without question the best film by writer/director pair Simon Barrett and Adam Wingard to date. Horror fans out there will not want to miss out on this one and I would recommend purchasing a copy myself. I have already viewed the film twice more since receiving my Blu-Ray copy for review and will most likely be watching yet again sometime soon, so at least from my perspective I say it is definitely a film that will warrant a fair number of re-watches and personally find myself enjoying it more with each viewing.
VIDEO:
The Blu-Ray release of ‘You’re Next’ features a full 1080p High Definition presentation utilizing the film’s original 2.40:1 Cinemascope Aspect Ratio. The video quality here looks quite impressive and this high definition transfer keeps this digitally shot film perfectly representing the visual tone that one would imagine is very near the source. It gracefully allows the smooth warm colors that uniquely compliment the movie at times and I was personally very pleased with the video transfer on this Blu-Ray release and unable to uncover any flaws. I imagine most fans of the film will be very satisfied with this high definition video presentation.
AUDIO:
The Blu-Ray release features a lossless 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. This is definitely one of those films that I would highly recommend watching with surround if you have the option because it embellishes the creepiness and flat out fun of the ride in a fantastic way. Random noises are thrown in each of the speakers when you least expect them and it drastically increases the uneasiness and jump factor while viewing, and let’s be honest now, who doesn’t want that when enjoying these kinds of movies. I’m quite certain all of the fellow audiophiles out there will be more than content with this impressive and heavily active lossless 5.1 channel soundtrack.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The Blu-Ray release of ‘You’re Next’ only includes a few additions in regard to bonus content, but fortunately all of them (excluding the trailer) are informative and worthwhile extras. Included are not just one, but two audio commentaries (one with writer Simon Barret and Director Adam Wingard, the other with both Barret and Wingard in addition to actors Sharni Vinson and Barbara Crampton), ‘No Ordinary Home Invasion: The Making of You’re Next’ Featurette, and of the course the previously noted theatrical trailer. Certainly some worthwhile extra goodies fans of the movie are going to be quite ecstatic about and will certainly want to check out.
Film Rating: 9.5/10
Disc Rating: 9/10
‘You’re Next’ arrives on Blu-Ray & DVD January 14, 2014 From Lionsgate Home Entertainment.