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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Mama

    Featured In Issue 178, August 2013

    Picture5
    Sound5
    WSR Score4.5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Universal Studios Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    61124645
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    Violence and terror, some disturbing images and thematic elements
    (Retail Price):
    $34.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    100
    (Color Type):
    Color With B/W Sequences
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2013
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    05/07/13
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Andy Muschietti
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Mama is a haunting tale of two little girls who vanish without a trace from their suburban neighborhood the day that their parents were killed. But when the young sisters are found alive years later in a decrepit cabin, their uncle (Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend, Annabel (Chastain) take them in. As they try to introduce the children to a normal life, Annabel begins to wonder if the traumatized girls are the only guests they have welcomed into their home or if someone or something still wants to come tuck them in at night. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary with Director/Co-Writer Andy Muschietti and Producer/Co-Writer Barbara Muschietti, an original short with introduction by Guillermo Del Toro (HD 04:32), four deleted scenes with optional commentary by Andy and Barbara Muschietti (HD 07:31), the featurettes The Birth Of Mama (HD 09:38) and Matriarchal Secrets: The Visual Effects Of Mama (HD 06:00), upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

    The 1.84:1 1080p AVC picture projects haunting images, especially in the presence of Mama. The imagery appears earthy with a slight sepia cast, yet fleshtones at times are naturally saturated. Still, generally primary hues are subdued. Contrast is excellent and blacks are deep and solid with revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is excellent, especially during close-ups of facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. While shot digitally and pristine, the picture appears warmly filmic throughout. This is an effective visual experience that delivers suspense and terror. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack delivers a slowly energized crescendo of frightening suspense and terror. A strong low-frequency foundation delivers effectively deep bass, which is heightened in the .1 LFE channel. The channel is used to signify the presence of Mama, which at times is intense. Atmospherics and sound effects complement Mama's presence with aggressive surround envelopment and directionalization. The orchestral music score is nicely recorded and expansive well into the surrounds. Combined with the atmospherics and sound effects, this creates a holosonic® soundfield with eerie ambiance. Dialogue is nicely integrated spatially, though, whispers require attention during ghostly interactions. This is a thoroughly spooky soundtrack that effectively delivers the sense of unnerving fear. (Gary Reber)

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    Kenneth Salyards
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