‘Jason Goes to Hell’ 4K UHD Review (Arrow Video)
Stars: John D. LeMay, Kari Keegan, Kane Hodder, Steven Williams, Steven Culp, Erin Gray, Rusty Schwimmer, Richard Gant, Leslie Jordan, Billy Green Bush | Written by Dean Lorey, Jay Huguely | Directed by Adam Marcus
Jason Voorhees is finally dead! Or is he? After being blown to smithereens in a sting operation, the infamous killer’s body is taken to the morgue in Youngstown, Ohio. But Jason can’t be killed so easily, and his still-beating heart possesses the body of the coroner performing his autopsy. The now body-hopping Jason begins hacking and slashing his way back to his stomping ground of Crystal Lake, where his last living relatives, Diana, her daughter Jessica and her newborn baby Stephanie still reside. Only by them can he be truly killed, and only through them can he be reborn, and Jason is determined to return to full power. Can the last remaining Voorheeses survive long enough to finally send Jason to hell for good?
When the term ‘slasher film’ is said, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is Friday the 13th. The heartless killing machine Jason has become an icon. Jason has spent many years hunting teenagers and taking them down. But how many times can a killer do this till he finally gets his? Well, in 1993, the “Final Friday” occurred with Jason Goes to Hell. Arrow Video has been releasing many of these cult classic horror films on Blu-ray and 4K UltraHD. Now it’s time for The Final Friday to get the 4K UHD treatment!
There are only so many times you can watch Jason track down teenagers before the premise wears thin. Well, with Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (the film’s FULL original title), director Adam Marcus brings us a [slightly] new take, and a remarkable visual experience to the screen as well, even though this film had a modest budget of $3 million. Of course, the great Kane Hodder returns as Jason Voorhees after playing the character in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) and my personal favourite, Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan.
Watching Jason Goes to Hell in 4K UHD is an extreme pleasure. The colours are bright and vibrant, and the special effects really look nice in Ultra HD. There are no signs of digital artefacts and no audio anomalies. Arrow Video has transferred Jason Goes to Hell in Ultra HD. The film is in 2160p Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of both the Theatrical Cut and the Unrated Cut. The audio track is the original lossless stereo and DTS-HD 5.1 surround audio on both cuts. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts.
Arrow Video not only put out this deluxe 4K release, with both the theatrical and Unrated cuts of this film, but they also put some amazing bonus features on the discs that will have Friday the 13th fans screaming with joy. Take a look at what is included.
Bonus Materials:
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
- Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by JA Kerswell and original production notes
DISC ONE – THEATRICAL CUT
- Introduction to the film by director Adam Marcus
- Faces of Death, a brand new interview with special make-up effects creator Robert Kurtzman
- Undercover Angel, a brand new interview with actor Julie Michaels
- Mixing it Up, a brand new interview with composer Harry Manfredini
- The Gates of Hell, an archival interview with director Adam Marcus
- Jason vs. Terminator, director Adam Marcus on growing up with the Cunninghams
- Über-Jason, an archival interview with Kane Hodder on playing Jason
- Additional TV footage, with optional commentary by director Adam Marcus
- Theatrical trailer and TV spots
- Still, behind-the-scenes and poster galleries
DISC TWO – UNRATED CUT
- Brand new audio commentary with film historians Michael Felsher and Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton
- Archival audio commentary with director Adam Marcus and author Peter Bracke
- Archival audio commentary with director Adam Marcus and screenwriter Dean Lorey
As you can see, Arrow Video never cease to put as many bonuses on their releases as possible. Thus, giving physical media fans the most bang for their buck. 3 audio commentaries, great interviews and great artwork, really take this release from good to great.
While Jason Goes to Hell may not be the best of the Friday the 13th series, it is still an enjoyable little slasher feature. And if you want to best quality to see this film in you are not going to find a better release anywhere.
***** 5/5
Jason Goes to Hell is set for a 4K UHD release on May 19th, from Arrow Video.
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