DVD Corner

The Last Voyage Of The Demeter Blu-ray Review

“The Last Voyage Of The Demeter” bites. 

Based on a single chapter of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” novel, “The Last Voyage Of The Demeter” revolves around the titular merchant ship which is transporting cargo from Bulgaria to London. The cargo in question is, of course, Dracula (along with a young woman named Anna who has been bitten by Dracula). Captain Elliott, Doctor Clemens, quartermaster Wojchek, and the rest of the crew soon find themselves battling the vicious bloodsucking Dracula in the middle of the ocean. Will anyone make it out alive before the ship reaches its destination? Will the crew be turned into vampires themselves? 

Over the past decade plus, Andre Ovredal has established himself as a talented horror filmmaker who has helmed acclaimed films like “Trollhunter” and “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark.” It’s easy to see why the director was drawn to a Dracula project (especially one with a different focus), but this ill-conceived project was doomed from the start. 

Whenever a short story is expanded into a feature film, there’s an inherent risk of stretching out the material needlessly. That is exactly the case with ‘Demeter.’ This story within “Dracula” is a small portion of a larger tale. It works as a segment of a movie ala “Nosferartu.” Why writers Bragi Schut Jr. and Zak Olkewicz decided to base an entire movie around that section is baffling as it’s such a straightforward story. What’s even more puzzling is that the movie runs a long, drawn out 119 minutes. This is the type of movie that has a 90 minute premise at most. As is, it’s a tedious and predictable horror film that brings absolutely nothing to the table in terms of its storytelling. Sure, the production values, the Bear McCreary score, and sets are top notch, but the movie doesn’t even work as a horror film. Ovredal attempts to create dread and build atmosphere, but that is ruined by cartoonish CGI horror spectacles. 

There are a few cast members that try their best to keep this project afloat (pun intended). Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian, Corey Hawkins and Aisling Franciosi do an admirable job at creating compelling characters in a movie in which they have very little to do.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? This hi-def transfer shines and handles darker scenes particularly well.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? The Atmos track is nothing short of effective.

Extras:
* DVD copy
* Digital copy
* Commentary by director Andre Ovredal and producer Bradley J. Fischer.
* Alternate opening and 8 deleted scenes with optional commentary by Ovredal and Fischer.
* “From The Pits Of Hell: Dracula Reimagined”- A standard featurette of the film and the Dracula design.
* “Evil is Aboard: The Making Of The Last Voyage Of The Demeter” featurette.
* “Dracula And The Digital Age” covers the special effects.

October 15, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Andre Ovredal, Dracula, horror, Horror Movie, The Last Voyage Of The Demeter Blu-ray Review, Vampires