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Splinter(Blu-ray Review)

Magnolia Pictures | 2008 | 82 mins | Rated R | Apr 14, 2009

Splinter Blu-ray Review

David Cronenberg抯 grisly anatomical fascinations may have popularized 揵ody horror,?but the sub- genre can be traced back to Tod Browning抯 Freaks, if not further, and its influences can be seen in a number of creature features from the 1950抯, where radiation or some other devious force perversely alters organic tissue. There抯 perhaps nothing more frightening than the prospect of our bodies in revolt. Cancer梩hat cellular mutineer梚s the obvious analogy, but horror films have taken the idea of insidious, irrepressible mutation and used it to prey on our basest fears. Vampires and zombies were notably once human, and it抯 curious that the process of transformation is spurred on in both cases by a bite梐 transfer of bodily fluids, of bacteria, or a virus. Even though modern science has completely removed the mystery behind how diseases spread, we抮e still terrified by how damnably uncontrollable germs can be. Splinter is the latest addition to the canon of biological horror movies, and though it抯 outclassed by films like 28 Days Later, it manages to overcome its low-budget pedigree and deliver a short but memorable experience that might just get under your skin.

Video



Splinter was shot on HD video and its 1080p, VC-1 encoded transfer consistently exhibits the best traits of the medium. When I say 揌D video?I mean high-quality HD video, not the consumer-grade cameras that were used to film, say, Soderbergh抯 Bubble or David Lynch抯 Inland Empire. Splinter features a sharp, well-detailed image and an appreciable sense of depth for such a low-budget title. Colors aren抰 the strongest under the buzzing fluorescent lights in the gas station, but they are stable and rarely ever look washed-out or thin. Blood is particularly impressive, with a deep crimson tone that is perhaps more disgusting than it is realistic. Black levels could be a smidge darker at times, but for most of the film they抮e actually impressive, giving the film a strong, but never too hot sense of contrast. Most surprisingly, I was wowed by the lack of digital noise, not only during averagely lit scenes, but even in the darkest nighttime sequences. Compression issues like macroblocking and banding are also absent entirely. While most films of this ilk revel in a kind of gritty ugliness, I was actually pleased by Splinter抯 sharp and clean look.

Audio



Splinter抯 DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is also better than its budget would seemingly dictate. Like most modern horror films, the surround channels are frequently active with menacing skitters, the nearly electric-sounding drone of insects, and the occasional LFE-accompanied stab to send you lurching out of your seat. The sense of ambience is great, and even the quieter stretches of the film feature small, tension-building sounds. While there aren抰 many discrete panning or tracking effects, the ones that are present move smoothly and convincingly. Elia Cmiral抯 score is appropriately tense, and the whole audio experience of the film quakes with a low-end heft that you wouldn抰 necessarily expect. Finally, dialogue is clear and well articulated, aside from a few mumbled and drawled lines by Shea Whigham. Overall, this track may lack the powerhouse dynamics and zip of bigger productions, but it more than adequately serves Splinter抯 cramped claustrophobia.

Final Words



Toby Wilkin handles Splinter with a workmanlike directorial style, never going for glitz and simply telling the story that he set out to make. The results, I抎 say, are slightly better than average. While it抯 certainly not an original tale, Splinter is at least entertaining, and with a decent AV line-up, it抯 a solid rental for genre fans.