Killers (1997) Synapse Films Blu-ray Review

October for me is the time for scary movies. This is the time of year I jump headfirst into horror films. Now Synapse Films enjoys releasing the horror year-round. But for Halloween they have released not one but two Mike Mendez horror films.

On this review we will focus on the first new release. This one is Mike Mendez's directorial debut. The film is 1997's "Killers" and it is receiving its first ever Blu-ray release. Just in time for spooky season.

Synopsis: Once upon a time, the James Brothers, Odessa (Dave Larsen) and Kyle (David Gunn, VAMPIRE JOURNALS), murdered their parents in their own beds. Now they've escaped from Death Row and are on the run on a stormy night, looking for a place to hide out. They invade the home of the Ryans, who seem like a typical American family and should be easy to control. But there's something not quite right about this brood--the women seem more attracted than frightened by these notorious murderers in their house, and Dad (C.T. Miller) has secrets of his own. Things get violently out of hand as the James boys find the night not going as they expected...and there are even more surprises waiting in the basement!

Synapse Films has restored the unrated director cut of this Mike Mendez horror film in all its horrific gory detail. For the theatrical, release it was cut and edited to not be as vicious as Mendez originally planned, but here is has been restored to his bloody glory. The film also features Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, even though Mike Mendez wanted The Doors The End. I think it works.

Even though this was Mike Mendez first film you could see he had a unique flare for film making. He brought his unique style to the home Invasion genre. Now while Killers maybe not on a par with classic films like When a Stranger Calls or Wait Until Dark. It is slow burn horror film with a lot of adult language and sexual content, nudity, drugs and smoking. It is so much a slow burner horror film that it can be suffers a bit from the pacing! But if you stick with it, you will find it's not your typical home invasion tale.

The film is presented in 1080p and is presented in widescreen format in 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The audio is an English DTS-HD MA Original 2.0 Theatrical Stereo. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Now this is more than just a transfer to Blu-ray. Multicom Entertainment Group has scanned and restored Killers, making it look as good as possible. It is simply amazing how great this film looks on Blu-ray. There are some minor specks in the picture, but nothing that should take away from the viewing experience. 

In addition to a great looking restoration Synapse Films added some very cool bonus features to this Blu-ray release. Take a look at what has been included! 

* Audio commentary with director Mike Mendez and horror scholar Michael Gingold

* Original promotional trailers

* Alternate Ending

* Liner notes booklet 'My Brother Death: Mike Mendez's Killers by critic/writer Heather Drain

I always love a good audio commentary that takes us behind the scenes of the film and who better than the director himself. I also love the addition of the Alternate ending. I won't spoil any of this. But I do love this! Synapse Films have made a nice little Blu-ray release that horror fans are going to really enjoy!

So, if you love the home invasion genre of horror films, why not check out Killers from Mike Mendez. And if you want to see it in the best quality possible, you need to see it on this Synapse Films Blu-ray. head over to MVDShop or Amazon and order your copy today.

Ot of 4 films reels (4 being the best) The Blu-ray of Killers receives....