Army of Darkness: Collector’s Edition (4KUHD) Review

Back in the olden days of DVDs, the phrase ‘collector’s edition’ actually meant collector’s edition. It usually brought the best of the best with whatever movie wore that moniker, and it didn’t create an additional version of whatever was released. It was literally the ‘collector’s edition’ that meant it was top-tier.

Don’t worry, I have a point.

When the age of Blu-ray came about, everything was a collector’s edition. The value of that phrase meant that there were some nice things, but certainly, there would be more editions of the movie in the coming years. I have owned many versions of films with the ‘collector’s edition’ in the title. Having that happen repeatedly cheapened the value of that phrase.

Welcome to the point.

Now, here we are with Army of Darkness: Collector’s Edition, featuring a 4KUHD version of the film, and I have to tell you, straight-up, without a doubt, and without the disappointment that this is truly a collector’s edition release from Scream Factory!. You not only get a cleaned-up version of the film that was fit for a 4K label, but you also get the following:

• Blu-ray Theatrical Cut
• Blu-ray Director’s Cut
• Blu-ray International Cut
• Blu-ray Television Cut

All in addition to a shitload of features that are worth a damn. Those features include:

DISC 1 – (Theatrical Version – 4K UHD)

1. In Dolby Vision (HDR Compatible)
2. NEW 2022 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative approved by director Sam Raimi, director of photography Bill Pope, and editor Bob Murawski

 DISC 2 – (Theatrical Version – Blu-ray)

1. NEW 2022 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative approved by director Sam Raimi, director of photography Bill Pope, and editor Bob Murawski
2. Medieval Times: The Making of “Army Of Darkness”feature-length documentary with over 20 people interviewed including Star & Co-Producer Bruce Campbell, Actors Ted Raimi, Bill Moseley, Patricia Tallman and many more…
3. Original Ending
4. Alternate Opening with optional commentary by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell
5. Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell
6. Theatrical Trailer
7. TV Spots
8. S. Video Promo

DISC 3 – (Director’s Cut – Blu-ray) 

1. Audio Commentary with director Sam Raimi, actor Bruce Campbell and co-writer Ivan Raimi
2. Creating the Deadites– vintage featurette
3. On-the-Set Video Footage Compilation
4. Behind-the-Scenes Footage from KNB Effects, Inc.
5. Vintage “Making of” featurette
6. Extended interview clips

DISC 4 – (International Cut – Blu-ray) 

1. Television Cut (Standard Definition)
2. The Men Behind the Army– vintage featurette
3. International Theatrical Trailer
4. Still Galleries with rare behind-the-scenes photos and props
5. Storyboards

This release is comparable to the Blade Runner release from yesteryear, where you got every version of that film and about every special feature that was ever made for it, including a nice behind-the-scenes documentary. Since Army of Darkness is a cult classic and helped define not only director Sam Raimi as one of the more prominent horror director names in the business, but also cemented Bruce Campbell’s popularity in movie-goers minds, this is a collector’s edition worth that phrase. It’s a huge deal, all of it, and Scream Factory! has treated it as such with this release.

Now, if you have never experienced this movie before, then you have picked the right time and the right month to get into it. This release gives you all the different versions of the film, so you can be choosy about which one you prefer. Surprisingly, even though I didn’t know this, the television version included is widely seen as the best of the bunch. I don’t know why because the director’s cut and the original release in 4K is my favorite, but maybe I’m a theatrical purist because I have fond memories of this release in the theater. I’m sure people have their reasons for preferring the television release, and I’m positive you can read them on your own online, but at least you get all of them. Getting back to newcomers, having this many versions of the film means you got it all and it’s worth it.

The month of October, which is when this was released (two weeks ago this coming Tuesday), is a perfect time to watch movies like this. If you’re looking for a Halloween horror film that doesn’t make you scream as much as it makes you laugh, well, you’ve come to the right place. The humor of the film is still relevant and valid. It works on a dumb level, but works, nonetheless. From the moment that Campbell’s Ash hits the knightly past and screws up saying lines to obtain the Book of the Dead, and dooms the kingdom he is trying to protect, you know you’re in for a good time, and even after 30 years it all still works. Although some of the scenes might seem a bit offensive to the new blood of moviegoers, all is done with tongue-in-cheek intentions. Knowing that you get fabulous bandy of skeleton looney-tunes, featuring a dual role of hero/villain played by Campbell, will make you happy you spent time getting to know this movie. It is still a well-done film in both character and story.

On the visual transfer side of the tracks, I found the Blu-ray Theatrical Cut to look prettier than the 4KUHD transfer. The color differences are amazingly foreign to each other. In true HDR fashion, the black/white contrast ratio is certainly where it needs to be in the 4KUHD transfer of the film. You will get deeper, darker tones in the transfer that work for horror, but don’t necessarily make it all-encompassing. The mid-tones come through gorgeously and you will enjoy the first large spout of uber-red blood from the pit in the first act in all its 4K glory. There’s nothing bad about this transfer at all, but honestly, I prefer a more color-rich Blu-ray transfer for no good reason other than it simply looks more alive. For hardcore 4K fans, you will be twitterpated with the amount of detail and cleanliness that is delivered with the new release. It’s a job well done. I know people have different transfer tastes, so having this wide variety of options to choose from to fit your fancy makes life a bit easier when it comes to accepting this as the ultimate version of Army of Darkness.

Anyway, it’s a great movie, a fantastic transfer, and it’s a release that is truly a collector’s edition. Let’s wrap this up.

Conclusion
The cult classic Army of Darkness is one of the best collector’s editions that I have seen since first owning a DVD player back in the late 90s. It gives you everything you want from all releases of the film and then adds more with a 4KUHD release and a bevy of special features. I’m not sure it will get better than this release.