Chain Reactions Blu-ray Review
“Chain Reactions” is a fantastic documentary about “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.”
Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, “Chain Reactions” is a documentary about “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” This isn’t a standard documentary that explores the making of the film, but rather it features interviews with 5 different individuals who each have their own analysis, perspectives, and theories about the classic Tobe Hooper horror film. Those individuals are Patton Oswalt (actor, comedian, and noted film buff), Takashi Miike (director), Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (Australian film critic, historian and author), Stephen King (iconic horror author), and Karyn Kusama (director). Through each of their five segments, you can expect to see film clips of ‘Texas’ along with other films being discussed here alongside outtakes of ‘Texas’ scattered about. The interviews are conducted in a house that bears a strong resemblance to the Leatherface family home in the film.
If you were fascinated by “Lynch/Oz” (which was also directed by Alexandre O. Philippe), “Chain Reactions” will very much be up your alley. It takes a similar approach to that previous work only this time the film takes a deep dive into “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” through the lens of various artists and how they see the film (and first encountered it). Each of the 5 interviewees latch onto something differently. Oswalt talks about the depiction of the sun, his world gone mad theory, seeing horror at an early age. Miike discusses how ‘Texas’ changed his entire life, how the film felt dangerous, and Japanese horror. Alexandra Heller-Nicholas discusses the Australian trailer and print and how it varies wildly from the print we know now and the film’s use of color. Stephe King digs into all sorts of ideas about morality, indie cinema, authenticity, and the blending of reality and fiction. Karyn Kusama explores the Leatherface family, art, beauty and horror, America, and Tobe Hooper’s prescient and all too relevant vision of the world.
What makes “Chain Reactions” so rewarding is that it makes you rethink, ponder, and see things you never noticed. It encapsulates the beauty of art, analysis, POVs, and the extraordinary power of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” Hooper’s horror film is the definition of a “more than meets the eye” type of film. It’s also a raw piece of independent cinema that still feels as remarkable as it did upon its release. This documentary really makes you want to go back and rewatch the film to see it in a new light on whatever format you desire (and there are many of them as you will see).
The limited edition Mediabook Blu-ray of “Chain Reactions” is available to order on the Dark Sky Selects shop here: https://selects.darkskyfilms.com/products/chain-reactions
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? The newly shot interviews look superb here along with the footage of ‘Texas’ and the other films. The various copies of ‘Texas’ presented here obviously vary in quality.
Audio Tracks: 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 2.0 PCM. How do they sound? Both the 5.1 track and the lossless 2.0 track deliver the goods.
Extras:
* “Chain Reactions” trailer
* Commentary on “Chain Reactions” by director Alexandre O. Philippe
* 2 hours and 21 minutes of raw “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” outtakes.
* K-Tel Australian trailer for “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.”
* Disc 2 features 4 different prints of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”- 16mm Overscan Print, 16mm BBQ Edition print, 35mm Grindhouse Print and K-Tel Australian VHS.
* Disc 3 features 4 additional prints of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”- 1981 Wizard Video VHS, 1987 Czech Bootleg VHS, 1978 Super 8mm Print, and 1980s Slovakian Betamax. All 8 of these prints are interesting curiosities and provide different ways to see the film.
* A booklet featuring stills and written pieces by Alexandre O. Philippe and Kim Newman, and notes about the various prints by David Von Jenseits, Robert Muratore, Ciro Nieli, Matt Landsman, Peter Svoboda and Chris Chappell
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