Take a creepy old Hollywood mansion, a naïve young man and a pretty girl. Add an over-the-top orgy and some slimy, winged goblins who crawl out of toilets, and you have Ghoulies, a horrifying and hilarious ride into the darkest regions of hell! Conjured during a party thrown by the mansion’s new owner, the hairy, fanged demons waste no time wreaking havoc on the scene – and declaring the unsuspecting owner their new lord and master!

For thoughts on Ghoulies, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/NtnntbeGwqs?si=LB40NNMd-A-a4WkR&t=481]

Video Quality

MVD Entertainment presents Ghoulies via their Rewind Collection with a knockout 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 16-bit 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. This film was last released on Blu-Ray in 2015 through Scream Factory as a part of a two-pack with Ghoulies II, but we do not have that set for comparison. The included Blu-Ray (also being sold separately) is derived from the same new restoration, and while it also looks fantastic, this 4K UHD presentation does prove to be the ultimate representation of the film.

The Dolby Vision presentation brings out a level of depth and nuance fans probably never expected the low-rent Ghoulies to be able to reach. There are so many distinct hues including those found on the creatures themselves that make a nice impression. Where the film thrives is within the interiors, as there is much to explore within the opulent production design and within the outfits of those who populate it. There are more traditional elements such as makeup effects which really benefit from HDR. The film looks so good that it might make some previous naysayers reconsider their opinion.

This new transfer displays the perfect amount of natural film grain which brings out unmistakable texture in the production design, makeup work, and other craft elements. This grain resolves without any substantial issues as nothing ever appears unnatural, clumpy, or spiking throughout the journey. Black levels are nice and deep with no obvious crush present, and highlights remain stable without blooming serving as an issue. This new master has cleaned up so much of the print damage with no ugly specks or lines remaining. MVD Entertainment continues to kill it with their 4K UHD Rewind Collection line.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a very pleasant DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mono track that showcases this material in its most ideal form. Every aspect of the audio experience comes through with first-rate fidelity. Dialogue emanates crisp and clear even when the characters are dealing with some crazy developments. Environmental noises such as items breaking or the splashing of water in toilets are distinguished well within the mix. The score and soundtrack are both represented favorably without any signs of damage or distortion. This is a mono track, but the low end supports the developments without a need to complain. MVD Entertainment has ensured the audio presentation does not fumble in any manner. English SDH subtitles are provided for those who want them.

Special Features

Disc One (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

Audio Commentary #1: An archival commentary track from 2015 in which director Luca Bercovici reflects on their experiences of developing the film, changing the tone of the film just weeks before production, the comparisons to Gremlins, working with the performers, the production design and much more that makes this a rewarding listen for fans.

Audio Commentary #2: An archival commentary track from 2016 in which director Luca Bercovici discusses the film with moderator Jason Andreasen of Terror Transmission. Bercovici shares his experiences working with the performers, the special effects, the legacy of the film and more.

Disc Two (Blu-Ray)

Audio Commentary #1: Director Luca Bercovici

Audio Commentary #2: Director Luca Bercovici moderated by Jason Andreasen of Terror Transmission

Introduction by Writer/Director Luca Bercovici: A 51-second introduction from the director who briefly discusses the legacy of the film.

From Toilers to Terror – The Making Of Ghoulies: A great 30-minute documentary with many of the key creative figures in which they reflect on the creation of the film, the movie landscape at the time of production, the grassroots excitement around the film, shooting on a limited budget, developing ideas while high, and much more.

Editing An Empire – Interview with Editor Ted Nicolaou: A nearly 28-minute interview with the editor who discusses his early entry into Hollywood, meeting Charles Band, his efforts to get into making his own films, the casting of Ghoulies and much more.

The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste – Interview with Actor Scott Thomson: A 22-minute interview with the actor who discusses his career, his friendship with director Luca Bercovici, working with Charles Band, what he learned from his role in this film and more.

Just ‘Cos Of The Chick, Man! – Interview with Director Luca Bercovici: A 34-minute interview with the director in which he reflects on his early fascination with the film business, working with Charles Band, being forced to fire his wife on a project, hiccups during the production of the film, memories of the performers, and much more.

Trailers: The two-minute trailer is provided for Ghoulies. There is also a trailer provided for Ghoulies II.

Still Gallery: This disc provides a photo gallery of behind-the-scenes photos, marketing material and more.

TV Spots: A minute-and-a-half collection of TV Spots is provided.

Poster

Final Thoughts

Ghoulies is a bit of kooky fun which should not reduced to unfairly being labeled a Gremlins rip-off, especially as they were developed in a parallel. The actual history of the narrative can become a bit convoluted, but the truth is that most audiences can forgive some script deficiencies once they experience the fun of the ghoulies infestation. The special effects are quite terrific as you make out every visceral little detail of the creatures. The movie was shot on a limited budget, but there is care put into making the feature delight fans in its ambition. MVD Entertainment has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that delivers a fabulous A/V presentation and a welcome array of special features. If you are a fan of the film, this is a dream release. Recommended

Ghoulies is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack and Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: MVD 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.