The Initiation is a 1984 slasher film from the USA. Finally getting the release I have always wanted for this film, Arrow Video are releasing this great, fun and cheesy slasher to Blu-Ray. This is one that all slasher fans should have in their collections.
Kelly (Daphne Zuniga), a young college student begins to experience horrific recurring nightmares, while at the same time pledging for a sorority. During the Hell Week Initiation process, the sorority sisters challenge Kelly to break into her father’s (Clu Gulager) department store with the other pledges. However what they do not know is there is a psychopathic killer on the loose picking the girls off one by one. Kelly’s dreams may have something to do with these bloody events, but will she realise this before the killer gets her.
I am a massive fan of this film and I was so excited to see that arrow was releasing the film on Blu-Ray.
It is a film I wish would have gotten a Collectors edition release before. I have only ever seen the film once before watching this re-released version. I own the older Arrow DVD release. This is one fo those slasher films that I always look forward to watching, I like that they added the dream element to the story which made it somewhat different from other slasher films at the time.
Of course, that same year in 1984 Wes Craven’s masterpiece A Nightmare On Elm Street was released to the world. That film dealt with dreams a lot deeper than The Initiation. This movie was a lot more of the typical slasher film.
I actually found that the acting in this film was pretty decent considering slasher films of the time were not known fo the greatest acting. This is for sure one of the better-acted slasher films.
I loved that the film was set in a department store. That is been in one at some point. I found it scarier and a lot more threatening than say a house or somewhere because it is a place you wouldn’t think would be where a killer would murder you. something we all know of and most likely we have all been in one at some point. I just thought the location was so great and there was so much tension. I think with it being set in a department store for the most part, really triggers something because as I mentioned we all know of department stores and it does it in a place we think is so safe. At the same time being in a store after hours is so creepy.
The Initiation is a great release from Arrow Video and I hope they bring out older slasher films. I think there is for sure a market for it. I hope that you all go and check out this release.
Great film, fun time, bloody brilliant!
[rating=4] | Ross Wilcock
Horror, Thriller | USA, 1984 | 18 | Arrow Video | 7th November 2016 (UK) | Dir.Larry Stewart | Vera Miles, Clu Gulager, Daphne Zuniga | Buy:The Initiation Dual Format [Blu-ray]
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
Brand new restoration from original film elements
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original Uncompressed Mono PCM audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary by The Hysteria Continues
Brand new interview with actor Christopher Bradley
Brand new interview with actress Joy Jones
Original Theatrical Trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn
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