Ghoulies (MVD) 4K Blu-ray Review + Screenshots + Packaging Shots

Ghoulies, the monster film with one of the most infamous posters of all time, gets a really nice 4K release from MVD

Studio: MVD Visual (as part of their MVD Rewind Collection as well as their 4K LaserVision Collection)
Release Date: January 18th, 1985 (theatrical) / September 12th, 2023 (4K blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 20 minutes 58 seconds
Region Code: FREE

Disc Count: 2 (1 4K disc and 1 2K disc)
Picture: 2160p (1.85:1 aspect ratio) (4K disc) / 1080p (1.85:1 aspect ratio) (2K disc)
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Peter Liapis, Lisa Pelikan, Michael Des Barres, Scott Thomson, Mariska Hargitay, Jack Nance
Written by Luca Bercovici, Jefery Levy
Directed by Luca Bercovici
Rating: PG-13

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Poster

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What's It About?

As a child, Jonathan (Peter Liapis) was almost killed by his father, Malcolm (Michael Des Barres), during a satanic ritual. After being saved and raised by Wolfgang (Jack Nance), who has kept him unaware of his background, Jonathan inherits Malcolm's house and moves in with his girlfriend Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan). During a party, he jokingly performs a ceremony described in one of his father's books on black magic, not realizing he has unleashed small, demonic creatures known as "Ghoulies."

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Video/Audio

Presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and taken from a brand new 4K restoration, GHOULIES looks great. Detail is the first thing you will notice gets a huge bump here with fine detail looking very impressive throughout. Colors and skin tones look accurate and black levels are deep and inky. Film grain is also very nicely resolved. The grain does get heavier during dark scenes but it never overtakes the picture. The HDR helps deliver a very healthy picture with a nice balance throughout. I am very happy with this presentation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track sounds wonderful with the Richard Band/Shirley Walker score sounding so good.

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Extras/Packaging

Disc 1: 4K Feature

Archival 2015 Audio Commentary with director Luca Bercovici (found in the audio menu)
Archive 2016 Audio Commentary by director Luca Bercovici, moderated by Jason Andreasen of Etrror Transmission (found in the audio menu)

Disc 2: 2K Feature

Introduction by writer/director Luca Berecovici (51s, HD, 1.78:1)
Archival 2015 Audio Commentary with director Luca Bercovici (found in audio menu)
Archive 2016 Audio Commentary by director Luca Bercovici, moderated by Jason Andreasen of Etrror Transmission (found in audio menu)
From Toilets to Terror: The Making of Ghoulies (29m 49s, HD, 1.78:1) Originally produced for the Shout! Factory double feature blu-ray release, this is a nice making of with some really great stories from the filmmakers.
"Editing an Empire" - Interview with editor Ted Nicolaou (27m 31s, HD, 1.78:1) Nicolaou got his story in the business as a sound guy on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre before he started working with Charles Band on Tourist Trap. He liked working with Band so much that he worked with him almost exclusively for the next two decades.
"The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste" - Interview with actor Scott Thomson (22m 3s, HD, 1.78:1) Talks about working with director Luca Berecoivi as well as his work on the film.
"Just 'Cos of the Chick, Man!" - Interview with director Luca Berecovici (33m 46s, HD, 1.78:1) He talks about working on the film, working with Charles Band, and how he had to change the film because he couldn't make the ghoulies scary because they looked funny.
Ghoulies Theatrical Trailer (1m 55s, HD, 1.85:1)
Ghoulies II Theatrical Trailer (1m 23s, HD, 1.33:1)
Still Gallery (3m 32s) or (41 images) This is a rare Still Gallery that both autoplays AND offers chapter selection. I haven't seen one like that in a while.
TV Spots (1m 25s, SD, 1.33:1) 4 spots

MVD brings us GHOULIES with some very nice packaging. First, we get a slipcover with the classic movie poster of the ghoulie in the toilet along with the film's tagline, "They'll get you in the end!". The slipcover is meant to remind us of the LaserVision format that was introduced in the 80's. The 4K blu-ray case features the same artwork as the slipcover. There are two discs in the case, 1 4K disc and 1 2K disc. There is a small, folded poster that features the same artwork as the slipcover but the poster is made out to look like a CED disc. CED was a competitor of Laserdisc. I love that MVD is doing something special with their 4K releases to differentiate them from the rest of their releases.

Both discs are REGION FREE

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Overall

GHOULIES is a fun flick I wish I hadn't slept on for as long as I did. The effects are pretty damn good as the film moves at a quick pace. That's one thing I like about films from this time. They tell their story and don't overstay their welcome. Check this one out.

MVD has really outdone themselves with this 4K blu-ray. The picture and sound are great and the special features are interesting and fun to go through. This is a very worthwhile purchase and will make a wonderful addition to your collection.

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Extras/Menus