Children of the Corn – Blu Ray Review

The Film:

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska like I did, there were three things that were culturally local to us here. One is Nebraska Cornhusker football (five National Championships mind you), two, the College World Series is every June, and the Children of the Corn. Yes, we’re more cultured than those three, but for the film, it’s been adopted into our collective psyche. Does the film ring true here? No, the film follows a group of parent less kids in a fictional Gatlin, NE, a small farm community well outside of anywhere most of Nebraska’s population resided. I think of it in the upper middle of the state, for some reason if it existed. Please be advised, we’re not all hicks in Nebraska.

I think it’s just that the film is ours. I’d bet some money on that Stephen King never visited Nebraska prior to writing the short story that went in his short stories collection of Night Shift, but I mean that it seems like all of the killers, monsters, and ghouls are “elsewhere”. So having a horror film set in our state, we adopted it, it became our tale, and despite countless sequels that have tarnished the name brand, it’s still a film where even if you haven’t seen it, you know about it because it’s that ingrained into our culture here.

I think, as campy as it sort of is, and inaccurately it treats us Nebraskans like those crazy Bible belt goodie-goods in Kansas and in Missouri, it has a good, kooky vibe, and is still pretty watchable today. The discussion of religion is interesting, until the climax, as the kids are blindly being manipulated by Isaac, and later by Malachai. If anything, it doesn’t even matter if their worshiped God is real or imaginary. It’s the fact that the kids have images from Christianity defaced, as a slap in the face to what represents moral ideals in mainstream religions. It’s a cult to be sure, and while the film never truly delves deep into this aspect, it plays out in a fun manner, adding to what isn’t at all a scary movie.

The film’s pacing is sluggish in areas, and the revelation of the “He Who Walks Behind the Rows” flattens the film’s moral dilemma with the new for a “big bad”. But it doesn’t matter. The score is pretty good, the direction and performances are solid (pre-Terminator Linda Hamilton!), and it’s a decent King adaptation. While the film is set in a small farm community, somewhat accurately represented, a city boy like me can easily claim to be a Child of the Corn, because here, we owned this. It’s ours. Isaac is our leader.

The Blu Ray:

Audio/Video: I’ve seen all of the Anchor Bay Blu Ray releases released, and while I think the quality is there, it’s a matter of what title they are releasing that determines how good the picture will look. Remember, most of these are plenty old that they have chosen for high def, and are low budgeted horror films. Corn looks okay. Details are there, but the source is a bit damaged, hindered by some grain, dirt, and noise. I expected not to be wowed, but I didn’t expect to be so underwhelmed. I think most people will be hard press to absolutely tell it’s a 1080p transfer. While it is, it’s average looking at best. There are some scenes that impress with a high level of detail.

The audio is pretty much front heavy, but is clear and crisp. Little surround activity and bass, although the climax is well reproduced. All in all, it’s an okay disc, but nothing to get excited about. Maybe Anchor Bay can give us a newer film to really show off their titles.

There are three new extras and are all in HD.

It was the Eighties!: This is a fine chat with Linda Hamilton. She covers all aspects of her time filming Corn, as well as fun stories and other tales from the world of acting.

Stephen King on a Shoestring: The producer talks about making this movie on a low budget. Kind of dry, but good info.

Welcome to Gatlin: Sights and Sounds of the Children of the Corn: This runs the longest of the new bonus material, and offers some of the better info. The production designer does most of the talking, as he covers the film’s religious tones and constructing the sets. The final minutes talk to composer Elias on his work for the film. Good stuff too.

The rest of the extras are in standard definition, and have been ported over from the fine special anniversary DVD Anchor Bay put out a few years back.

Commentary: A rather slow commentary, but for those who are a fan of the film, it’s filled with great stories from the producer, director (Fritz Kiersch) and the two actors who played Isaac (John Franklin) and Malachai (Courtney Gains). While everyone here offers up some funny bits about the production, there are sadly, some dead spots. Fans should dig it.

Fast Film Facts: This is a pop-up trivia track, best used during the commentary, in my opinion, offering up some neat info known and unknown. Good stuff.

Harvesting Horror: This is a solid 36 some odd minute documentary on the film, giving us plenty of good stuff as it’s a through look back.

Conclusion: For fans of the film, you must ask yourself if you need one more copy of this movie. The new extras are pretty good, and the existing extras are top-notch, but the high def transfer is a bit weak. All others should rent, but fans will find it as a purchase.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu Ray: Rating: