A group of small-town high school students, including an introverted photographer and a charismatic drug dealer, begin to suspect something’s off with their teachers. After realizing the faculty is, in fact, under the control of mind-controlling alien parasites, the kids are outnumbered and endangered. Now they’re in a fight against an invasion against not only their school and their town, but also the entire world. Written by Kevin Williamson (Scream), and directed by Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn), The Faculty is a must-see sci-fi thriller.

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Video Quality

Scream Factory presents The Faculty with a terrific 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR approved by director Robert Rodriguez. The film was previously released on Blu-Ray over a decade ago in 2012 from Echo Bridge. We do not have that disc to compare, but their track record was not the strongest. This new presentation is first-rate and a huge win for fans of the film. Even if you are not yet 4K UHD capable, this new release comes with a new Blu-Ray sourced from the same 4K restoration which almost undoubtedly improves upon the previous Blu-Ray.

The utilization of Dolby Vision/HDR for expanded color output dials things into ideal levels when it comes to depth and nuance. There are some gorgeous colors saturating the screen thanks to the lush natural environments, and the refinement in contrast is a gift. Highlights are in fine shape with nary a sign of blooming in the brightest moments. Black levels do not appear to exhibit crush or banding even in the darkest corners of the screen. Audiences can observe more shadow detail with figures firmly defined instead of blending into the murky background. There are no egregious digital anomalies such as compression artifacts or any other such impediments. The practical special effects are a treat while the digital effects are understandably dated.

One of the biggest benefits of this restoration is the world of vital textures. Many of these older masters from this era were plagued by waxy appearances, but this transfer thankfully keeps things looking organic. The level of detail and clarity newly on display is stunning thanks to the perfect amount of natural film grain intact. The grain resolves favorably well with nothing ever feeling clumpy or static within the backgrounds. The texture on display in the costumes, landscapes, and production design is outstanding. Any previous specks of damage have been eliminated thanks to the restoration. Scream Factory has rescued another ‘90s favorite.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track which both cpapably exhibit the soundscape. The great Marco Beltrami score sounds robust and vital as it establishes the eerie tone of the story. There is never a moment where it threatens to distract from the competing sounds, and it maintains a faithful balance so that dialogue comes through crisp and clear. This narrative demands a bit of personality within the sound design, and this track executes that with an immersive surround mix. Both tracks provide an ideal sonic journey that captures the artistic intent with crisp fidelity. Environmental sounds such as creature effects and gunfire are rendered exquisitely alongside everything else. There do not seem to be any obvious instances of age-related wear and tear. This is an exceptional track from Scream Factory. English SDH subtitles are provided for those who desire them.

Special Features

The Thing From Another Classroom – An Interview with Special Makeup and Creature Effects Artist Greg Nicotero: A new 21-minute interview with the legendary makeup artist in which he discusses his friendship with Robert Rodriguez, Rodriguez’s aversion to shooting effects work himself, how he pulled off some of the effects, and more.
Too Cool For School – An Interview with Production Designer Cary White: A nine-minute new interview with the production designer in which he discusses his work on the film, the location shooting, the issues with the set design, and more.

Final Thoughts

The Faculty is a fun riff on the classic “body snatchers” story that never loses itself in the teen movie ethos. While Robert Rodriguez does not seem to hold this one as close due to his lack of involvement in the script, his direction holds this together quite well. There are some dated special effects, but you expect as much when revisiting this era of filmmaking. The main joy of this movie is seeing all of the incredible talent together on screen, and you will not be disappointed if you seek it out for this reason. Scream Factory has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a sterling A/V presentation and a decent selection of new special features. If you enjoy this one, don’t miss the premiere presentation. Recommended

The Faculty (Collector’s Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack.

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

Disclaimer: Scream Factory 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.