The Stepfather Blu-ray

The Stepfather

 (2009)

Horror | Mystery | Thriller



When a teenager returns home from military school, he begins to suspect his mother’s new boyfriend is not the charming man he appears to be in this riveting, psychological thriller.

For more details about The Stepfather on Blu-ray, see The Stepfather Blu-ray Review

The Stepfather Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


The Stepfather moves into Blu-ray and yields and incredibly film-like and altogether splendid 1080p, 2.40:1-framed transfer. This is a natural, high quality image, retaining a slight layer of film grain that allows for a nearly perfect cinematic appearance. Colors are incredibly rich and natural in tone, and the film sports a diverse and eye-popping palette that sparkles in every scene. Whether bright green grass, party adornments, or the striking blue shade of a pristine backyard swimming pool, The Stepfather delivers a consistently convincing color scheme that practically places the viewer in and around the Harding household. Detail is exceptionally natural throughout, with faces -- and that of Dylan Walsh in particular -- showcasing every bump, line, and imperfection with precision. Additionally, the image is sharp as a tack and only rarely shows even a hint of softness, and it also features a deep, realistic appearance that, in addition to the colors and detail, brings the image to sparkling life. The print is absolutely pristine with nary a hint of debris or other distracting artifacts, leaving only the fine film grain to convey a strong filmic appearance. Unfortunately, blacks do suffer from an unnatural tone, appearing a bit too bright and altogether unconvincing in a few shots, and flesh tones sometimes showcase a slight red push. Otherwise, The Stepfather makes for a handsome transfer that's another in a long lineage of high quality images from Sony.

The Stepfather Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Sony sets up The Stepfather with a technically proficient but fairly routine DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Indeed, this mix is fine in almost every regard, but there's not much to speak of in terms of out-of-the-ordinary or otherwise noteworthy elements. Sound effects do pan naturally across the soundstage, and there's often a rich, fulfilling feel to the track; never does it seem cramped or in any way stuck in one speaker or portion of the soundstage. Atmospherics are nicely rendered, too; the constant buzz of an overhead light in the basement makes for a constant companion in appropriate scenes, and the random background din of the party sequence early in the film transports listeners into the midst of the festivities. Music enjoys fine clarity in all its generic Horror/Thriller glory, whether front-and-center or playing as background noise in a lounge scene or through Michael's stereo. Surrounds are implemented sparsely but effectively; the thunderstorm as heard near the end of the film does well to fill the back speakers with a realistic tone that convinces the listener of the approaching storm. Unfortunately, dialogue can sound a bit uneven, but that's the only true mar on what is a technically strong but sonically uninteresting soundtrack.

The Stepfather Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Original Stepfather Blu-ray in June - February 26, 2010


• The Stepfather Announced for Blu-ray - December 14, 2009

The Stepfather Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

Topic

Replies

Last post