BLU-RAY REVIEW

Chain Letter

Featured In Issue 154, February 2011

Picture4
Sound5
WSR Score3.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Image Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
NA
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Strong bloody sadistic violence throughout, language and brief nudity
(Retail Price):
$29.97
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
87
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
2010
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
02/01/11
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Deon Taylor
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

In Chain Letter, Jessie, (Reed), is a high-school student addicted to her laptop and cell phone—to every mode of cyber-speech. But suddenly this communication turns from amusement to menace. She and six of her friends become the subjects of a chain letter that is much more than the usual combination of annoyance and guilt. Arriving through e-mail and text messages, the letter carries a message that if it is not passed on, the party to blame faces an unexpected, horrible death. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the theatrical trailer.

The 1080p AVC picture exhibits a decent quality, though, noticeably black levels are crushed without the deep blackness that otherwise would be exhibited. Shadow delineation is acceptable, though, at times the imagery appears hazy. Resolution is generally soft, but close-ups can appear sharp. Fleshtones are generally natural in appearance. The color palette is darkly hued, with spots of vivid and richly hued color. This is a darkly photographed picture that optimally should be viewed in a dark environment. While the imagery is engaging and particular scenes effectively support the horrific killings, the overall impression is good, but not reference quality. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is effectively dynamic and punctuated at critical moments, to heighten the horrific events. The sound is generally holosonic® with an open, wide soundfield presence enhanced with aggressive directionalized surrounds. Rain and thunder are prominent sound elements, which are well characterized with realistic effect. At times the directionalized effects and dialogue are impressively dimensional throughout the soundfield, with exemplary surround presence. Bass extension can be deep and energized to below sub-25 Hz frequencies for dramatic effect. This imparts a hauntingly exciting and engaging sonic presence throughout. The music score is also nicely supportive, with a forward presence and a wide and deep soundstage presence that extends to the surrounds with a prominent presence as well. Sound levels are effectively energized at aggressive SPL extension, which enhances the dynamic sonics and suspense. Dialogue is production sound and ADR and at times wanting in spatial integration, but otherwise palatable. This is a sonically active soundtrack that delivers excitement and suspense and effectively supports the storytelling. (Gary Reber)