First there was House of 1000 Corpses. Then there was The Devil’s Rejects. Now, from writer-director Rob Zombie, comes the next blood-soaked chapter in the most violent crime saga in movie history — 3 From Hell. After barely surviving a furious shootout with the police, Baby Firefly (Sheri Moon Zombie), Otis Driftwood (Bill Moseley), and Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig) are behind bars. But pure evil cannot be contained, and a firestorm of murder, madness, and mayhem will be released in this terror ride to Hell…and back.
For in-depth thoughts on 3 From Hell, please see my colleague Dom Fisher’s review from its original theatrical release here.
Video Quality
3 From Hell makes the most of its 4K 2160p presentation in 1.85:1 on this 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc. This film is not intended to be visual perfection, but this transfer captures the feature in all of its grimy, stylistically-enhanced glory. This presentation especially shows its worth with black levels that are incredibly deep and detailed with digital grain added as an aesthetic choice. The 4K presentation provides a depth of field that just cannot be replicated as well with the accompanying Blu-Ray. Brighter scenes like the Day of the Dead sequences wow with an intense clarity and a strong handle of white levels that show no evidence of blooming. Skin tones look very realistic throughout and show a great amount of facial detail such as dried blood. Color highlights are another area of substantial improvement in comparison to the Blu-Ray (when the film is not intentionally desaturated). Colors look more natural in this presentation with multiple instances of lustrous blues and eye-popping oranges rendering quite beautifully. Overall, this is an excellent 4K UHD presentation that offers a noticeable uptick in clarity and depth. This film will not dazzle in a visual sense, but this disc has captured the heavily stylized intention of the project.
Audio Quality
This disc comes equipped with an incredibly effective Dolby TrueHD 7.1 presentation that fully immerses you in this world. There are elements in this track that are truly unnerving, such as the sounds of the gunshots and fist against flesh. Sounds are appropriately rendered with precise directionality from the more kinetic scenes to the quieter dialogue-driven scenes filled with subtle ambiance. The score and soundtrack brings to life a truly chilling and raucous soundscape that amps up the tension. Dialogue is presented perfectly clear without ever being overwhelmed by any of the competing sonic elements. The low end is engaged well at multiple points throughout the film including shootouts and some music pulsating through the room. The sound design of this film is quite intense, and the implementation of environmental sounds are executed very effectively. The mix here is very well done with nice engagement of all the channels, which makes this track more than satisfactory for fans of the film.
Special Features
Lionsgate has provided 3 From Hell with an optional sleek new SteelBook available exclusively at Best Buy that is truly lovely in person. The case comes with a removable clear slipcase with an animated depiction of Baby, Otis and Foxy being consumed by flames. The artwork underneath is the same animated depiction but with the three shown as skeletons, and the rear features an animated depiction of three coffins surrounded by flames and skulls. The interior sports a cross with Baby in the middle. Photos of the Steelbook can be found at the end of this review.
- Audio Commentary: Director Rob Zombie provides a very informative and engaging commentary track in which he discusses utilizing unused footage, the decision to begin the film in a documentary format, working around the failing health of Sid Haig, mimicking some of the Manson interviews, the different shooting locations, creating the Mexican town and more. He has an obvious passion for this material and these characters and it is a lot of fun hearing him go in-depth into the process.
- To Hell And Back – The Making Of 3 From Hell: A four-part 95-minute making-of documentary which is always one of the best parts of a Rob Zombie home entertainment release. This piece gets into every aspect of the production you could want from the development of the script, the reunion of the performers, getting the hair and makeup in order, Zombie’s approach to working with performers, the set decoration, the stunts in the film and so much more. Fans will absolutely love this.
Final Thoughts
3 From Hell has many moments of demented joy that taps into what made The Devil’s Rejects such a wild ride, but Rob Zombie unfortunately indulges in some of his worst creative tendencies in this third chapter. Where the previous entry felt like it had some point towards the excess, there seems to be a hollowness to the mean-spirited nature that hinders enjoyment somewhat. This coupled with the fact that Richard Brake does not quite live up to the high standards of Sid Haig makes this sequel seem weaker in comparison. Lionsgate Home Entertainment has released a new Limited Edition SteelBook of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray that is truly gorgeous in person. The 4K disc itself has a strong A/V presentation and some worthwhile special features. If you have not purchased the film yet and intend to, this Best Buy exclusive will look great on your shelf. Recommended
3 From Hell is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray in Limited Edition SteelBook Packaging exclusively from Best Buy.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Lionsgate Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
