Fear (Mill Creek) Blu-ray Screenshots (Patreon)

Video

Eww. The print used for Fear's master looks pulled from a rerun show at a dollar theater in the '90s, back when those existed. It's dusty and dirty, in desperate need of a modern clean-up. Grain still exists, so that's a small bonus, although the limited disc space gives everything a muddier, digital quality.

Licensed from Universal, this comes from the studio's ugly era. That means thick edge enhancement galore, leaving significant halos all around. Naturally, this diminishes detail in a transfer struggling to deliver any notable fidelity. Extreme close-ups bring minor texture. The further the camera moves, the worse things get.

Strong contrast (with slight clipping) is the best thing about the disc. Fear performs well on both ends, equally strong in tight black levels, important for building up tension, but also winning during clubs and parties. Shadows stand out, delivering solid dimension to an otherwise lacking image.

Audio

Satisfying dynamic range perks up the soundtrack and score. Solid energy pops from the low-end, effective during a few scares too. An attempted door breach is brutal near the end. Fear isn't overly active in the low-end, but works as needed.

Striking in positional use, there's plenty to note in the rears and stereos. High activity levels allow sounds through the stereos and rears. Listen as the club breaks down into chaos, with smashing glass and screams finding homes in the rears. A helicopter pans by the scene, transitioning between speakers accurately. The final assault on the house features clanging and breaking glass in each channel. It's excellent mixing work.