‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning’ 4K UHD Review (Arrow Video)
Stars: Jordana Brewster, Diora Baird, Matt Bomer, R. Lee Ermey, Taylor Handley, Andrew Bryniarski, Lee Tergesen, Lew Temple | Written by Sheldon Turner | Directed by Jonathan Liebesman
The remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 2003 was a huge hit. The film grossed over 100 million dollars at the box office. So, after that kind of success, there was no doubt that there was money on the table to make another film.
Arrow Video are set to release 2003’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on 4k Ultra HD and what an amazing release it is going to be; check out our review. But they didn’t stop there, they’re also releasing the 2006 prequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, on 4K as well!
In the summer of 1969, brothers Eric and Dean and their girlfriends Chrissie and Bailey are having one last road trip before the boys set off to Vietnam. An altercation with a shotgun-wielding biker leads them to crash their car, only for them to be rescued by Sheriff Hoyt. But their savior isn’t as benevolent as he seems, and the gang are taken hostage and dragged to the residence of the murderous Hewitt family, among them Hoyt’s brother Thomas, a hulking brute who conceals his face behind a leather mask.
It would have been easy to just make another film featuring Leatherface slashing a group of new teenagers. But the producers thought it would be more interesting to go back to the beginning to see the origins of the Hewitt family. It was a great idea, but sadly didn’t seem to strike a chord with audiences and thus made less than half what the first film made! But it is still an entertaining little slasher film.
Arrow Video has transferred The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning to 4K in 2160p Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible). On this disc are both the Theatrical Version and the Uncut Version of this movie. There are several audio options there is the original DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 audio on the Theatrical Version, and DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, 5.1 and 2.0 audio on the Uncut Version. There are also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts.
Arrow Video’s 4k transfer is spectacular. The blood runs so deep red and the gritty detail is simply stunning. The picture is crisp, and the audio is clear – which means watching this film in Ultra HD is a pleasure! But as with the 2003 remake 4K, Arrow Video added some wonderful bonus features. Take a look at what is included on this disc.
Special Features:
- The uncut version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
- Brand new audio commentary on the Uncut Version with Dread Central co-founder Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton and co-host of The Spooky Picture Show podcast Chris MacGibbon
- Archival audio commentary on the Uncut Version with director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller Hoyt, Actually, a brand new interview with actor Lew Temple
- Original Skins: KNB FX, a brand new interview with special effects makeup artist Jake Garber and special effects makeup technician Kevin Wasner
- Light and Sawdust, a brand new interview with director of photography Lukas Ettlin
- Down to the Bone: Anatomy of a Prequel, an archival making-of documentary featuring many interviews with cast and crew members
- Deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary from director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller
- Theatrical trailer
Extras:
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Aaron Lea
- Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Aaron Lea
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michael Gingold
When you think, you get two versions of this film, two audio commentaries, interviews, documentaries and more – all this makes this a slasher film fan’s dreams come true. And the deluxe packaging makes this release a great addition to anyone’s collection, even. more so if you’re a Texas Chainsaw fan!
***** 5/5
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning will be released
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