Some May Pass The Test... God Help The Rest.
Released by: Scream Factory
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Production Year: 1981
Region Code: A
Running Time: 1:29:50
Audio: English DTS-HD MA Mono
Video: 1080p (1.78:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English
THE FILM:
At Lanier College, the semester is almost over. Exam week is coming to a close when some upperclassmen play a prank by staging a phony terrorist attack. But the next moment of excitement at the school won't be a prank. And it's something a lot more final than an exam. Students are falling prey to a knife-wielding maniac stalking the school, bent on making sure that for some, school is out... forever!
"Final Exam" is light on blood and slow to get to the kills, but if you give it a chance, it is entertaining in its own way and features several fun, oddball characters. I was not much of a fan the first couple times I watched the film. But with the third viewing, it finally resonated with me in some way and I now enjoy it. Once I stopped focusing on the slow first half and the kill meter not going up fast enough, the film became more enjoyable. Once things get going, the kills do start the stack up.
AUDIO:
The Blu-ray includes one audio option, besides the commentary, an English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track. It does an adequate job overall. The score and sound effects fared better than dialogue which I found to be a bit tinny in enclosed or indoor scenes. Sound levels are well balanced throughout the film.
VIDEO:
"Final Exam" comes to the Blu-ray thanks to Scream Factory in cooperation with Code Red DVD via a new high definition transfer from the original camera negative. The film is presented in 1080p with a 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio. For the most part, the video quality is wonderful. There are some minor specks here and there during the film and an instance of a small blue spot that appeared for a second. The first 35 seconds or so of the film look the worst as far as spots and scratches and then it clears up and looks great for the remainder of the feature. For a lower budget film that is over 30 years old, it really does look excellent. Colors look pleasant and bright with good saturation. Skin tones look natural. Black levels appear strong. There is a thin layer of grain that looks good throughout. Viewers will be pleased to find that the film sports a generous amount of detail and the image looks quite sharp.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Along with the extras listed below, this Blu-ray also has a Chapter Selection Screen and English Subtitles.
Audio Commentary - Cast members Joel Rice, Cecile Bagdadi and Sherry Willis-Burch are joined by Moderator, Julia Marchese of the New Beverly Cinema and Deron Miller of the band CKY. With five participants, things can get a bit confusing as to who is talking at times. However, Mr. Miller did not do much of the talking. Julia Marchese did a good job asking questions throughout the film and the actors were great, providing a fun and spirited commentary. When they are not discussing what is going on in the film at the time, they are sharing tales from the set. I really enjoyed this track and feel that fans of the film will like it as well.
Interviews With Cast Members:
- Joel S. Rice "Radish" (6:47) - Mr. Rice recounts how he learned about the film and the audition process for his role. He talks about the film being shot over the course of six weeks, the shooting location, his career and other topics.
- Cecile Bagdadi "Courtney" (3:43) - Miss Bagdadi discusses auditioning for the film, her experiences on the set, her career and what she is doing now.
- Sherry Willis-Burch "Janet" (4:58) - She also talks about her role in the film. Miss Willis-Burch discusses the toughest scene that she had to do in the film, her career including the film "Killer Party" and her life afterward.
Theatrical Trailer (1:31)
IN CONCLUSION:
"Final Exam" can be an entertaining film if given the chance. Fans will definitely want to upgrade to the Blu-ray, which looks excellent. If you have never seen the film before, you should at least give it a chance. The Blu-ray features a good commentary track and a trio of interviews. It is usually available online for a reasonable price. Slasher fans, I'd say buy it. You can view a trailer below which may help you decide if the film is right for you.
OVERALL: 3.5/5