‘Event Horizon’ is Pure Nightmare Fuel [4K UHD Review]
Event Horizon was largely unappreciated by the majority of critics when it bowed before audiences in 1997. Many cinematic scholars dismissed it as being overly reliant on horror tropes or unnecessarily brutal. And I can’t seem to reconcile how we could interpret the same film so differently. With that said, different people connect with media in different ways. And I suppose this is a case of precisely that.
I certainly connect with Event Horizon in a big way. In fact, I think it’s brilliant. I count it as one of the greatest space horror films of recent years and probably the most effective since Aliens. Event Horizon serves up a chilling premise, solid performances from a talented ensemble cast, flashy visuals, and beautifully-rendered effects work. It’s a haunted house picture set in space. And it executes on that premise brilliantly.
Following a distress signal, the crew of rescue vessel Lewis and Clark set out to investigate the disappearance and subsequent reappearance of an experimental vessel called the Event Horizon. Unfortunately for those aboard the rescue ship, the Event Horizon was overtaken by something unspeakably evil in the time between its disappearance and eventual resurfacing.
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A large part of what makes Event Horizon work so well is the fact that it serves up characters whose plight is easy to invest in. Each of them is fleshed out and relatable. The way the team dynamic is portrayed makes the crew members feel very much like a family. Moreover, each of the characters is brought to life believably by a cast comprised of talented thespians. Accordingly, it’s nearly impossible not to take a liking to the crew of the Lewis and Clark. So, bearing witness to the hellish ordeal to which they are subjected after boarding the Event Horizon is absolutely nerve-shredding.
Director Paul W. S. Anderson proves to possess a keen prowess for building tension. Even before the crew board the Event Horizon, he inserts a handful of nightmarish and unsettling visuals that seemingly come squarely out of left field. Additionally, the best moments are effective enough that they don’t lose their impact upon repeat visits.
Anderson takes the terror that was put on the page by screenwriter Philip Eisner (Firestarter 2: Rekindled) and brings it to life in what I can only describe as a waking nightmare. The concept of an all-knowing presence that preys upon the darkest secrets and innermost thoughts of the crew is already an impressive premise. But the way Anderson captures the sense of paranoia inherent to the subject matter is on another level. He makes the most of the concept by using jarring visuals, an intense score, crisp sound design, and effective performances to create a viewing experience that is sure to shred your nerves.
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Furthering the sense of terror is the way Event Horizon leans into the unknown. Precious little is revealed about where the ship has been and what exactly it brought back from wherever the hell it was during the time it was MIA. We are given enough information to follow along with the narrative and that’s about all we get. That ambiguity serves to intensify the terror because the only thing we know definitively is that anything can happen and no one is safe.
Now that I’ve spoken about the film’s collective merits, let’s dive into the details of this upcoming 4K steelbook release. The packaging and presentation for this reissue are quite impressive. The cover art is gorgeous and the slipcover is a nice addition that collectors are sure to dig. Additionally, it’s great to be able to see the flick in stunning 4K resolution.
But should you rush out and buy it? Well, that depends. If you’re looking for unprecedented picture quality, this is the release for you. But if you’re after a glut of exclusive special features, you may want to stick with the version you already own. I say that because each of the bonus features on this re-release is ported over from the film’s 2008 home video edition.
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In a perfect world, this Event Horizon steelbook release would have been packaged with a mixture of existing and newly recorded featurettes, and the new 4K remaster. Sadly, that is not the case. So, the primary reason to upgrade to the SteelBook is for the killer packaging and the crisp look of the 2160p transfer.
If you’re on the fence, allow me to tempt you by saying that the film has never looked better or more vivid than it does here. The Event Horizon 4K steelbook is out now from Paramount.
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Event Horizon
Summary
The 4K release of ‘Event Horizon’ delivers nerve-shredding terror and beautifully-realized effects work.
