Image Entertainment presents

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2006)

"Sometimes, you gotta break the rules ..."- Dr. Jekyll (Tony Todd)

Stars: Tony Todd, Tracy Scoggins, Deborah Shelton
Other Stars: Tim Thomerson, Peter Jason
Director: John Carl Buechler

MPAA Rating: R for Horror Violence/Gore and Language
Run Time: 01h:29m:49s
Release Date: 2008-05-20
Genre: horror

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
C-	C+	A-	B	B

 

DVD Review

I approached The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was like it was a film made by old friends. The director, John Carl Buechler, is responsible for one of the most popular films in the Friday the 13th canon, The New Blood (the one with the psychic girl, for those who don’t know), and has done some other enjoyable genre work as well (even if I am the only one who likes both Troll and Ghoulies III). I wasn’t looking to Buechler to reinvent the genre, but I had hoped for the same level of fun abundant in his previous efforts. Sadly, there isn’t much fun to be had here and while this is a watchable little horror film, there isn’t much reason to recommend it.

Tony Todd’s Dr. Jekyll is a scientist who discovers a cure for heart disease. Out of desperation, Jekyll tests the “cure” on himself only to suffer the drastic side effect of transforming into the beastly Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde instantly takes to the nearby college campus where he feasts on an endless bevy of coed flesh while arousing the suspicions of a local detective (Tracy Scoggins).

There’s a sense of fun in the stalk and slash scenes, even if the murder set pieces help illustrate the painful limitations of the production budget. Todd’s Mr. Hyde can’t resist throwing out a steady course of lame one-liners just before he kills and I don’t recall there being an amusing one in the bunch. The film doesn’t exactly generate much in the way of tension of suspense, either, but Buechler keeps everything moving at a decent clip. By the time this thing zips along to its ridiculous climax (complete with embarrassing CGI), one hardly has time to take in the sheer ridiculousness of it all.

For all its warts (and there are a few), it’s hard to completely slam the film. It doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression, doesn’t scare or really even entertain. I’d go so far as to say it works in spite of itself. The casting is good (full of genre veterans). Todd makes for a sympathetic hero and an annoying villain while Scoggins does what she can with the one-dimension cop role. Tim Thomerson shows up all too briefly as does Peter Jason. If anything the film makes you realize how many terrific actors there are out there who’ve never fully had their due.

If this review feels like a bit of an unfocused mess, then good. My thoughts are very much the same. There’s a part of me that appreciated Buechler’s obvious respect for the genre and for the source novel. This isn’t one of those cheap cash-ins (well, yes it is, but that’s beside the point) that steals the title only. It’s got some moments that lovingly homage Stevenson’s book and proves that this was a good-faith effort on the part of its cast and crew. That said it’s also hokey and ineffective, so while the performances are enthusiastic and the script tries real hard, the limitations of the production can’t be ignored. This isn’t a film I’d recommend to anyone but the most die hard genre fan out there, and even then it’s a proceed at your own risk type of situation.


Rating for Style: C-
Rating for Substance: C+

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.78:1 - Widescreen
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	yes

Image Transfer Review: For a low budget cheapie, Image's transfer of this film is fairly crisp and enjoyable. Colors pop and the blacks are strong and solid. Sure, there's a little bit of edge enhancement to be found, but it's nothing that detracts from the viewing experience. If you've got to see this film, Image's presentation is good stuff.

Image Transfer Grade: A-
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
DS 2.0	Englsih	yes
Dolby Digital 5.1	Englsih	yes

Audio Transfer Review: The 5.1 Surround track is solid, if not as encompassing as it could've been. Andy Garfield's effective, classy music score is given dynamic distinction, with audio stings and gunfire littering the rest of the rear channels. There's nothing outstanding about this track, but it does help to illustrate good sound-design, and the aforementioned musical score.

Audio Transfer Grade: B 

Disc Extras

Static menu with music
Scene Access with 12 cues
1 Original Trailer(s)
3 TV Spots/Teasers
1 Documentaries
Packaging: Keep Case
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: dual

Extras Review: While light on extras, the making of documentary (17:00) is worth a look for any fan of the film. It's a lively little production packed with some fun behind-the-scenes material and interviews with the cast and crew, including Tracy Scoggins, John Carl Buechler, Vernon Wells, etc. Regardless of the finished product it's clear that these folks were having a lot of fun here and some of that does show through in the actual film.

A trailer and three TV spots round out this collection of extras.

Extras Grade: B
 

Final Comments

While it’s not exactly the source material, I was reminded of a far superior take on the same subject matter while watching this film: 1989’s vicious little horror film, Edge of Sanity, starring the late, great Anthony Perkins. It’s an all around better film that offers everything you can get here and more. See it and leave this Strange Case to only the most curious among you.

Matt Serafini 2008-07-25