As for Pascal Laugier? With this outing, he has acquitted himself quite well in the face of a tale so extreme. He has given this film a pace, a twist, and a visceral punch that will be felt well into the future. And now, rumor has it, he is in line to helm the proposed remake of Hellraiser (a position abandoned by the creative team of Inside). Something tells me he could create something very interesting.
Audio/Video. The video presentation is solid. The 1.85:1 aspect ratio is preserved for the release. The color palette is washed out and a touch on the soft side, but detail is retained and nothing is lost in the shadows. The grim content matches the bleak look of the transfer. I have not seen this projected, but I believe this is similar to what was on the big screen.
The audio is also solid and available in either the original French (which I chose, also turning on the subtitles) or an English dub, both tracks are Dolby Digital 5.1. There are plenty of atmospheric sounds, ticking clocks, faint cries in the dark. The movie also has it share of in your face noises, shotgun blasts, rattling of heavy chains, and the sound of fist hitting flesh. The sound design ad reproduction will definitely hold your attention.
Extras. The bonus material is limited to an introduction by director Pascal Laugier, where he says he is proud of the film and also hates himself for doing it, and is okay if you (the viewer) hate him too. The other extra is a making of featurette that runs nearly 51 minutes. It is not your standard documentary and does a good job of taking you onto the set with plenty of on set footage.
Bottom line. Martyrs is not what I was expecting, but it did deliver the goods and I am glad for the experience. Well, as glad as one can be for seeing what I saw. If you are a horror fan, this should be on your list. It is visceral, gut-wrenching, and thought-provoking. What else do you need?
Recommended.
Article comments
1 - Eric
Okay.. ive seen this film.. yesterday night, this is the most sick horror ive ever seen, i only watch horror movies, but this 1 sure made me upset.. oh my god
2 - dan
Absolutely brutal. Ambiguous ending which leaves you pondering but lets you fill in the blanks as thats what good movies do. Well done and I actually thought House Of Voices was atmospheric and well done in spite of the reviews. Looking forward to more from this director. It's nice to know there are quality horror films still out there. Not for the faint of heart..