Monday, October 08, 2012

Searching the Rubble of the Chernobyl Diaries for More Special Features: A Blu-Ray Review

*full disclosure: a Blu-Ray copy of this film was provided by Warner Bros.

Director: Bradley Parker.

Writers: Oren Peli, Carey Van Dyke, and Shane Van Dyke.

Cast: Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Dimitri Diatchenko, Olivia Dudley, Devin Kelley, Jesse McCartney, Nathan Phillips, and Jonathan Sadowski.

The Chernobyl Diaries originally released in May, 2012 within theatres (Canadian Release). The film was helmed by first time director Bradley Parker and partially written by Paranormal Activity writer and director Oren Peli. The film is set in the city of Pripyat. Here, six extreme tourists find an abandoned city near the Chernobyl reactor is not quite uninhabited. This title will release through home video formats October 16th and the special features on the release are, unfortunately, sparse.

This film was enjoyed by this viewer and those looking for an expansion on the story can visit an already posted review for the Chernobyl Diaries here (28DLA Review of Chernobyl Diaries) . This film was enjoyed by this viewer for a few reasons. The setting is a unique one. There are few horror films set near irradiated nuclear facilities. There are a few exciting bits in this title. Characters are chased far underground. The antagonists become ever more prominent and grotesque near the finale. As well, the film ends tragically, which is more emotive in horror than a happy ending, in this viewer's opinion.


The story and appearance of the Chernobyl Diaries are well done (not a pun), but what of the extras on the latest release? They are few. This title hosts a total of four extra features. They include: a short feature ("Uri's Extreme Tourist Infomercial"), another short feature ("Chernobyl Conspiracy Viral Video"), a deleted scene ("Welcome to Kiev"), and a final deleted scene ("Alternate Ending"). All of these special features do not add up to more than ten minutes. Also, surprisingly, there is no commentary on the release.

The first short feature plays out like a spoof. "Uri's Extreme Tourist Informercial" is about three minutes long and the character Uri talks briefly about his touring locations, which include: Moscow, Pripyat and Siberia. You can order a flight with an air force pilot! This short video is good for a laugh or two.

The second feature is a little more interesting. Some of the history of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster is explored in the "Chernobyl Consipracy Viral Video." This short clip chronicles the real life evacuation of Pripyat and the development of an "Exclusion Zone." Some of the devastation of this disaster, including failed medical research, is explored. This entry was one of the best of the four extras.

The deleted scene "Welcome to Kiev" adds very little to the film's central story. Character Paul simply toasts to his new friends and brother. There is a reason this clip was left on the cutting room floor.

The final deleted scene, "Alternate Ending" adds a fright. One of the few surviving characters of the "Extreme Tour" is hairless and screaming in a hospital room. This is a solid addition and a different look at the film. Fans will either chuckle or scream at this short clip.

All of the extra features on the Blu-Ray release do not add a lot of substance to the film, overall. Fans of horror should check out this title on home video formats if they missed it in theatres. However, the four special features found here do not add much of an incentive to add this title to a home theatre collection. The extras are short and sparse, which might be a letdown for some.

The film's fan page is here:

The Chernobyl Diaries at Warner Bros.

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