'Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection' Blu-ray Review

An essential set of landmark horror movies with a dazzling array of special features.

Typically when a collection touts itself as "classic" or "essential," there's some marketing hyperbole involved, but in the case of the Blu-ray set Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection, the title is pretty much on point. Universal Studios was a dominant force in the horror genre for over 30 years in the early 20th Century, and this box set gathers eight of the most well-known monster movies from the studio during that stretch together on Blu-ray for the first time -- focusing primarily on the '30s (Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein), with a couple from the '40s (The Wolf Man, The Phantom of the Opera) and one from the '50s (The Creature from the Black Lagoon). My only quibble from a selection standpoint would be the inclusion of the 1943 version of The Phantom of the Opera over the 1925 version, which to me seems more iconic, given Lon Chaney's landmark performance. (You could also argue that another Lon Chaney film from the '20s, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, should've found a spot somewhere.)

I won't pretend that every horror fan loves watching the oldies, but the stunning picture (and sound) clarity that these digitally restored, high-definition versions provide makes it feel like you're discovering them for the first time and could provide the crispness and modern touch to draw in a younger crowd. (Or, frankly, it could provide more detail than you'd like to see.) Further, the myriad of special features (over 12 hours' worth), plus the 48-page booklet, provide in-depth background for these genre classics that could attract cinefiles with a sense of history. In particular, the inclusion of the entire Spanish-language version of Dracula (also restored) -- shot on the same sets as the Bela Lugosi version during the night after the American cast and crew had departed -- is wonderful as not only a slice of history, but also as a real work of art, as some critics cite it as actually a better film than the English-language version. Perhaps the coolest feature on the set, though, is the fact that The Creature from the Black Lagoon is presented in its original 3D format -- if you have a 3D-compatible TV -- allowing you to experience the way it was designed to be seen: in your face!

The Blu-rays

Special features include documentaries, commentaries, interviews, photos, archive materials and the Spanish version of Dracula.

Movies: A
Discs: A

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the distributor. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.