April Fool's Day 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's 4K Blu-ray release of "April Fool's Day" provides a compelling upgrade with its native 4K restoration sourced from the original camera negatives, remastered at Paramount Pictures. The ultra-high-definition presentation is finely tuned with HEVC H.265 encoding, offering a robust visual output that exhibits sharpness and detail in every frame. Particularly impressive is the depiction of minutiae throughout the film, from the fine textures of the interiors to the lush foliage surrounding the setting. The Dolby Vision HDR enhances this viewing experience with its remarkable contrast, delivering vibrant and varied colors that surpass the capabilities of standard HD SDR counterparts. This format beautifully balances brightness with pristine, tight highlights and deep, unyielding black levels that ensure superb shadow delineation.

The visual grading manifests this cult black comedy slasher with a meticulously recreated authentic period look. The clarity imbues each scene with vivid depth and dimensionality, exemplified by the portrayal of facial complexions which retain their natural peachy-rose tones throughout the cast. The masterful handling of darker scenes ensures that fine details remain discernible without being crushed into obscurity, allowing for a continuously engaging visual flow. There is no evidence of age-related surface imperfections, crediting the excellent image stability and authenticity of the restoration work. Overall, "April Fool's Day" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands as a testament to high-quality restoration processes, enhancing the film's original charm with a polished and dynamic video presentation.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "April Fool's Day" offers two compelling options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, both of which preserve the film's original sound design with precision. The 5.1 track impresses with its dynamic amplitude, effectively creating contrasts that enhance the viewing experience. Dialog clarity is consistently maintained throughout, with no notable audio dropouts or distortions. This track excels in delivering rich and clear separation between sound elements, highlighting its excellent remastering.

Conversely, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is equally praiseworthy, retaining an impressive dynamic range across the soundstage. It doesn't confine itself to the center-channel but instead distributes sound smoothly between the fronts and the off-screen space, maintaining activity even in the background. This track offers an authentic listening experience, aligning closely with the original elements.

The remastering of both tracks is marked by distinct clarity and a superb balance between highs and lows, avoiding any discernible distortion. In particular, the 5.1 track exhibits remarkable dimensionality by keeping background activity distinguishable from the foreground, allowing sound effects to naturally pan across the soundstage. Some atmospheric elements tastefully bleed into the surrounds, expanding the soundfield subtly without overshadowing front action sequences. Vocals remain consistently clean and distinct, complemented by a robust low-end that adds depth and weight to visuals, providing an engaging aural experience true to the film's intended audio impact.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "April Fool's Day" presents an engaging assembly of extras, with a balance of informative commentary and archival programs that enrich the viewer's understanding of the film. Notably, a new audio commentary on the UHD disc features discussions by critics Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson, covering the film's production and its enigmatic appeal. Archival interviews delve into director Fred Walton's cinematic influences and filmmaking journey; actress Deborah Goodrich and actor Clayton Rohner’s experiences and anecdotes; composer Charles Bernstein’s process of crafting the film’s score; and cinematographer Charles Minsky's insights on his visual contributions. These pieces collectively provide a comprehensive look at the creative forces behind this genre classic.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Audio Commentary: Discussion on production and themes with critics and filmmakers.
• Horror with a Twist: Part I & II: Director Fred Walton on his influences and film production.
• Well of Lies: Actress Deborah Goodrich discusses her film involvement.
• Looking Forward to Dessert: Actor Clayton Rohner shares experiences from the set.
• Bloody Unforgettable: Composer Charles Bernstein explores soundtrack creation.
• The Eye of Deception: Cinematographer Charles Minsky talks about his career and work on the film.
• Trailers: Includes a theatrical preview and vintage TV spots.

Kino Lorber's 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "April Fool's Day" showcases a thoughtful restoration that both honors and critiques the cult classic status of Fred Walton's 1986 film. Initially emerging in a saturated market of formulaic slashers, this release revisits its notable attempt to stand out with a unique blend of horror, comedy, and mystery. Cinematographer Charles Minsky's work is revisited through this meticulous restoration, sourced from the original camera negative and exclusively available in 4K on UHD. Though visually not awe-inspiring, its atmosphere occasionally benefits from darker sequences.

The film is a quintessential product of its era, poking fun at slasher conventions while unspooling what might be described as an Agatha Christie-esque whodunit. Set on an isolated island, it thrusts a group of college friends into an entertainingly absurd narrative. Despite logic lapses and overt theatricality in acting, these deliberate quirks serve the movie's meta-commentary aspirations on the slasher genre itself. The storyline culminates in a famously unexpected twist, which can be polarizing yet is a testament to Walton and screenwriter Danilo Bach's ambition to prank the audience—a fitting homage to the spirit of April Fool's.

Supplementary materials enrich this package with insights from the creators and critics, catering to aficionados seeking depth beyond this playful romp. The film balances humor synonymous with the 1980s and horror elements, ensuring laughs amidst thrills. Although "April Fool's Day" might not court universal acclaim for its narrative consistency or visual texture, it succeeds in engaging audiences with its unconventional approach. By intertwining humor and suspense, the film crafts an elaborate gag that leaves viewers reflecting on the nature of horror and its potential for comedic subversion, firmly securing its place in 1980s cult cinema.

"April Fool's Day" on 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a fascinating yet flawed exploration of the 80s horror genre. While some may contend it diverges from being a traditional slasher film, it does deliver an engaging and fun cinematic experience with its effective staging and commendable cast performances. The film's screenplay lacks depth and occasionally falters in executing its clever premise, leading to a viewing experience that might seem uneven. Director Fred Walton's insights reveal that poor promotion strategies from Paramount hindered the film's reception, but the more pressing issue lies within the screenplay itself.

The UHD edition is notably enhanced by an exceptional Dolby Vision HDR presentation, coupled with superior DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks, providing a rich audio-visual treat. This release includes a comprehensive selection of archival bonus features on the Blu-ray disc, while the 4K restoration is exclusive to the 4K UHD format. This meticulous restoration effort undertaken by Paramount adds significant value for collectors and genre enthusiasts alike.

In conclusion, "April Fool’s Day" may not revolutionize its genre, but this edition's outstanding visual and auditory quality, alongside its nostalgic charm, make it a worthwhile addition to any classic horror library. It serves as both an enjoyable throwback and an insightful case of what might have been with a more refined narrative approach. Highly Recommended for fans seeking a blend of technical excellence and 80s nostalgia.