DVD Corner

Chernobyl Diaries Blu-ray Review

“Chernobyl Diaries” falters in the second half.

The plot: A tour guide named Uri takes a group of 4 friends and 2 other tourists to an extreme tourist attraction- the radiation filled city of Pripyat that was abandoned due to the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. What should have been a quick 2 hour look around, however, turns into a deadly nightmare as everything that goes wrong does. A broken down car, killer dogs, deadly radiation, and mutated killer people are but some of the dangers that await the characters in the story. Can any of them get out alive?

Even though “Chernobyl Diaries” looks like another found footage film, it isn’t. Yes, there are found footage elements at the opening and in another pivotal scene, but that’s it. Sadly, I actually think the overused found footage approach may have benefited this rather routine horror film as it could have used some outside the box scene ideas.

‘Diaries’ starts off promising enough by sucking in the viewer with an interesting and creepy set-up. The film almost feels like a ride in the first half as we venture to this deserted dark corner of the world with Chris, Paul, Natalie, Amanda, Zoe, Michael, and tour guide Uri. Unfortunately, once the group arrives at Pripyat, viewers are quickly burned by predictable scare tactics, shakey cam cinematography, an inordinate amount of running and screaming, “monsters” that we barely get a glimpse of, and a poorly thought out ending. In other words, it’s a typical modern horror film that is in dire need of originality.

Video/Audio:

The film, which is presented in 1.85:1 1080p, looks as good as you’d expect from a Warner Brothers new release. From the sunlit to the dark scenes lit by flashlights, the film looks crisp and clear.

Screams, dog barks, bear galloping, and mutated human groans can all be heard clearly in the 5.1 DTS-HD audio track.

Extras:
* Warner Bros. trailers.
* DVD Copy and Ultraviolet Digital Copy.
* A deleted scene called “Welcome To Kiev” and an alternate ending that is at least less stupid than the one we got.
* “Chernobyl Conspiracy Viral Video”- A partially factual video about the real Chernobyl incident that also ties into the movie.
* “Uri’s Extreme Tours Infomercial”- The title says it all.

October 16, 2012 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Chernobyl Diaries Blu-ray Review, Chernobyl Diaries DVD, Found Footage