Blu-ray Review “Chained”

Actors: Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Weber, Eamon Farren, Julia Ormond
Directors: Jennifer Lynch
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Run Time: 94 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

When you hear about a film named “Chained”, you can only expect it to be one hell of a brutal film.  Well it definitely leaves you feeling very uncomfortable, which is it’s purpose obviously.  Vincent D’Onofrio is such an amazing actor and really gives himself over to the role and is extremely disturbing. Director Jennifer Lynch (“Boxing Helena”) delivers one-hell of an intense thriller and leaves you biting your nails trying to cope with what is going on.  The film was originally rated NC-17 for a one scene, which was “too shocking”, though it is included as a deleted scene.  If you are looking for a disturbing film with great performances, look no further than “Chained”.

From Anchor Bay’s official synopsis: “Coming home from a routine trip to the movies, eight-year-old Tim (Bird) and his mother, Sarah (Julia Ormond, Mad Men: Season Five) are picked up by a psychopathic cab driver named Bob (D’Onofrio). It ends up being their last ride together. Bob murders the young boy’s mother and keeps Tim as his unwilling protégé, making him clean up the mess following each murder he commits. After a couple of aborted escape attempts, Bob chains Tim – now renamed Rabbit – allowing just enough length to move freely within the house. As the years pass, Bob starts instructing Rabbit, teaching him anatomy and human behavior. Now a teenager, Rabbit (Eamon Farren, The Pacific) is slowly being pressed by Bob to start his own homicidal spree. Slowly but surely, he must soon choose whether to follow in Bob’s serial killer footsteps or make one final, desperate attempt to break free.”

I also love about Anchor Bay how most of their films come in Blu-ray/DVD combo packs. This film is presented in its 2.39:1 original aspect ratio with a 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio track. I was very impressed with the audio track, especially for a low-budget film like this. I just got the new Indiana Jones Blu-ray set and even that didn’t have 7.1 tracks. The special features are decent but nothing special. There is a commentary track by writer/director Jennifer Lynch and actor Vincent D’Onofrio. If you liked the film you will like this. The alternate, more graphic version of “Mary’s Murder” scene is not really impressive either just a little more blood. Lastly there is the original theatrical trailer included.