Pet Sematary 30th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD

Based on the novel by Stephen King (who also wrote the screenplay), "Pet Sematary" is the unbelievable story about the pet cemetery just behind their home. It seems it is situated on an Indian burial ground that has the mystical powers of resurrection. The Creeds try the theory out on the pet cat. It comes back, but not like the sweet kitty it once was—it is now a snarling, hissing beast. (You would be, too, if you had been run over by a truck!) When their son Gage (Miko Hughes) is run over by a similar truck, Papa Creed tries the same magic out on him. Bad decision! (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director Mary Lambert; the featurettes "Stephen King Territory" (HD 13:09), "Filming The Horror" (HD 10:26), and "The Characters" (HD 12:51) plus the new featurettes "Pet Sematary: Fear And Remembrance" (HD 07:14) and "Pet Sematary: Revisitation (HD 09:38); galleries; upfront previews and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

Originally the film was reviewed in Issue 44 as an anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD, followed by a remastered 1.78:1 Blu-ray Disc™ review in Issue 180. This new remastered and scanned 1.85:1 35 mm was restored from the original negative and features Dolby Vision HDR. The film was shot with Panavision cameras and lenses. Grain is virtually unnoticeable and never objectionable. The 4K Ultra HD edition exhibits a more pleasing picture with images that are far sharper and more finely detailed. HDR contrast and shadow delineation are well rendered, with deep blacks. Colors are more saturated and vibrant, while still nicely balanced with accurate fleshtones. Resolution, however, exhibits a soft focus overall, with close-ups nicely defined. This remastered film looks far more filmic and vibrant and should surely please fans of Stephen King. (Gary Reber)

The repurposed DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack delivers enveloping atmospherics and sound effects that are dimensionally directionalized throughout the soundfield. The opening sequence is effectively dimensional. The surrounds are often fully engaged, sometimes aggressively, to heighten the emotional cues conveyed by both the audio and the visuals. There is notable deep bass extension throughout, with effective .1 LFE activity at times. But overall fidelity is still a bit edgy. Still, this is a satisfying soundtrack. (Gary Reber)