Netherworld (1992) (Full Moon Features) Blu-ray Review + 1080p Screenshots + Packaging Shots

A beautiful location and interesting story can't save this film completely but it is worth a watch nonetheless. The Blu-ray is is a worthy addition to the collection even if the film isn't to everyone's liking.

Studio: Full Moon Features
Release Date: February 6th, 1992 (video premiere) / July 11th, 2023 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 24 minutes 30 seconds
Region Code: FREE

Disc Count: 1 (BD-25)
Picture: 1080p (1.78:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: English Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: None
Slipcover: No
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Michael Bendetti, Denise Gentile, Anjanette Comer, Holly Floria, Robert Sampson, Holly Butler
Written by David Schmoeller, Charles Band (both credited as "Billy Chicago")
Directed by David Schmoeller
Rating: R (areas of strong horror violence and strong sensuality, and for language)

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Poster

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What's It About?

After inheriting a sprawling estate in the eerie bayous of Louisiana, Corey Thornton’s life is about to change forever. Through instructions left to him at the mansion, Corey learns of his late father’s bizarre plan and last wish to be resurrected and is introduced to a very sensual and sexy woman, Delores, a mistress of black magic who drags the helpless young man into a web of forbidden desires and horrifying visions of his dead dad...and things far, far worse!

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Video/Audio

"Uncut and remastered from the original camera negative" is displayed proudly on the front cover and I have to say, this is a nice looking transfer. Film grain is present and accounted for. Colors are bright and accurate. Skin tones look healthy. I do think the picture is a tad bit too dark at times but I am guessing that is how the film was shot. Other than that, I was very pleased with how the film is presented here. Both of the Dolby Digital tracks get the job done. Dialogue is clear as is the music.

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Extras/Packaging

Full Moon Freakshow podcast Promo (1m, HD, 1.78:1) plays at startup

Subspecies 5: Bloodrise trailer (2m 18s, HD, 2.35:1) plays at startup but is also accessible in the Full Moon Trailers menu.

Trailer (2m 34s, HD, 1.78:1)

Videozone (26m 23s, SD, 1.33:1) I have been a champion of Videozones since I discovered them back in the 90s but one thing I have never mentioned is their length. These things are not flash in the pan, EPK nonsense. They can be upwards of 30 minutes with this one clocking at 26 minutes. Great stuff here.

Full Moon Trailers:

Subspecies 5: Bloodrise (2m 18s, HD, 2.35:1)
Doktor Death (1m 49s, HD, 1.78:1)
Don't Let Her In (1m 43s, HD, 1.78:1)
Piranha Women (1m 58s, HD, 1.78:1)
Puppet Master 3 (2m 16s, HD, 1.78:1)
Weedjies: Halloweed Night (1m 56s, HD, 2.35:1)

The film is divided into 18 chapters. The menu is basic with most of the special features appearing on the main menu. The only features that have their own submenu are the Full Moon trailers.

The front cover and disc feature the original artwork used for the VHS and advertisements. There is another, much uglier artwork that was a horror collection featuring this film along with a host of others.

The disc is REGION FREE

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Overall

I didn't like this film all that much outside of the flying hand with mouths on it's fingers and the gore. The rest of the film I could have done without. The setting is great and it is beautifully shot but the film just didn't resonate with me. Still, I can not hate the film. There is a charm to it that horror films today do not have. The film was made back when Full Moon was actually trying and not just churning out low effort crap they started doing in the 2000s. The young filmgoers day will not like all the eroticism and nudity the film has today so they will miss out on a film that took a pretty big swing for a straight-to-video flick, even if it does miss the landing.

Full Moon did a nice job bringing NETHERWORLD to Blu-ray. The film is not packed with features like some of the other Blu-rays in the Full Moon library but that doesn't matter because this release does include the Videozone which is a must-watch. We also get the film's trailer along with an assortment of other Full Moon trailers. The picture quality is nice as well.

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Extras/Menus