BLU-RAY REVIEW

Freaks

Featured In Issue 247, January 2020

Picture4.5
Sound4.5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Well Go USA
(Catalog Number):
WGU03137B
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Violence and some language
(Retail Price):
$29.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
105
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
12/10/2019
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Adam Stein & Zach Lipovsky
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

In "Freaks," a bold girl discovers a bizarre, threatening, and mysterious new world beyond her front door after she escapes her father's (Hirsch) protective and paranoid control. Kept locked inside the house by her father, 7-year-old Chloe (Kolker) lives in fear and fascination of the outside world, where Abnormals create a constant threat—or so she believes. When a mysterious stranger offers her a glimpse of what's really happening outside, Chloe soon finds that while the truth isn't so simple, the danger is very real. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director Zach Lipovsky, a behind-the-scenes featurette (HD 15:29), trailers and upfront previews.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture exhibits a stylized environment in which Chloe lives with her father and an outside world that appears natural. Lighting effects create enhanced tension within Chloe's house prison, creating interesting contrasts. Within the various interiors, the lighting effects also intensify the mystery and tension. Color fidelity itself is naturally hued with touches of saturation. Fleshtones are naturally hued. Contrast is stylized. Black levels are deep and shadow delineation is revealing. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail exhibited throughout. This is a most unusual visual experience that is compelling throughout. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is dialogue focused with effective sound effects that are unusual, The music score is virtually constant throughout with a haunting effect. The music occupies a wide and deep soundstage that extends to the surrounds with encompassing envelopment. Sound effects can also sound aggressive. Deep bass effectively enhances the music and sound effects, which include gunfire, blasts and missile explosions. Atmospherics also enhance the proceedings. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with a forward presence. This is a dynamic soundtrack with effective sound effects and music that is captivating throughout. (Gary Reber)