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US Blu-ray with the revised version |
Release: Jan 21, 2018 - Author: brainbug1602 - Translator: Tony Montana
- external link: IMDB
Compared are the US DVD by Full Moon and the US Blu-ray by Full Moon.
In 1892, Egyptian wizard Afzel steals a scroll from a God called Sutekh. The scroll contains the secret of life. Afzel manages to escape but Sutekh resurrects three of his high priests. They are supposed to get retrieve the scroll. At the beginning of the 20th century, Andre Toulon runs a puppet theater. Ilsa, daughter of the Swiss ambassador, sneaks into one of the puppet shows and falls in love with Toulon. After one of his shows, Afzel is being taken to the theater. He is wounded and still being chased. At the theater, his wounds are being treated and since he foresees his death, he trusts Toulon with the secret of life. When the high priests track him down and kill Toulon's colleagues in the process, he sees himself forced to make use of the secret of life - also because Ilsa has been abducted by the priests. The seventh installment of the Puppet Master series tells the origin story about how Andre Toulon got his hands on the secret of life, ignores the second installment (Toulon purchases the formula from some vendor in Kairo) completely though. Rated PG-13, the movie steps a little out of line. There are no violent scenes because the intention was a rather family-friendly movie. Unfortunately, the result is rather lame every now and then because it takes quite some time until the puppets get to actually do their thing. In addition to that, the movie sometimes looks like a trash flick due to its low budget. The resurrected mummies or the very non-thrilling finale come to mind. Fans of the series should still be able to enjoy it anyway but that does not change the fact that this is the lamest installment of the entire series. There are two cuts of the movie: The US Version is roughly 80 minutes long while the International version (which was released in the UK and Germany for instance) is approx. 10 minutes longer. The US Version lacks a few plot scenes, probably for pacing reasons. On 05/08/2017, a Blu-ray that contains an edited version was released in the US. Both the opening and credits are new (e.g. instead of his alias Joseph Tennent, his actual name David DeCoteau pops up now). Almost every single digital are altered which is usually an issue regarding the abalities of Afzel or the high priests. Occasionally, there are alternate shots of the puppets as well. An alteration that might be considered controversial because the scenes are not a perfect match contextwise. For instance, when Toulon resurrects his puppets, the Blu-ray contains scenes in which the room is dark with a candle burning in the background even though the rest of the scene occurs at daytime in a bright room. There is no additional value to the alternate scenes at all. Also a little weird is that rather redundant scenes are missing in th Blu-ray Version - such as the applauding crowd when the show is over. Qualitywise, the Blu-ray is incredibly good. In addition to that, it is the first release ever that contains the movie in its correct aspect ratio (1.78:1) which enhances the look of the movie. Every now and then, when there are close-ups of the puppets, the Blu-ray contains SD inserts upscaled to HD. As bonus, there is an interesting documentary about the shooting with optional commentary by DeCoteau which is very informative. Even that would justify purchasing the Blu-ray. As for the Blu-ray Version of the actual movie: The result is a double-edged sword. The look effects look quite nice, no doubt. On the other hand, the replaced shots of the puppets are just as mysterious as the small cuts every now and then. Duration: US DVD: 80:10 min US Blu-ray: 80:03 min [00:00:00][00:00:00]
The US Blu-ray starts with the new Full Moon logo, lacks "Full Moon presents" though. DVD:
Blu-ray:
DVD: 25 sec BD: 21 sec [00:03:20][00:03:14] The Blu-ray contains a slightly alternate scene of the market action which makes the scene a little longer.
DVD: 4 sec BD: 5 sec [00:04:03][00:03:59] Altered effect when the scroll appears. Also, the ring is glowing on Blu-ray.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:04:16][00:04:11] Alternate effect when the trackers are using their abilities.
no difference (20 sec each) [00:04:49][00:04:45] Same when they get weaker.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:04:58][00:04:54] Afzel's abailities have been altered as well.
no difference (20 sec each) [00:05:11][00:05:07] The scroll disappears.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:07:00][00:06:54] The scene with the cameleer has been slowed down a little on Blu-ray.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:08:13][00:08:07] On Blu-ray, David DeCotau appears in the credits.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:10:53][00:10:49] Ditto: "Directed by" David DeCotau.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:19:03][00:18:58] The puppet masters express their gratitude to the audience.
DVD: 17 sec [00:21:00][00:20:39] The DVD contains a close-up of some candles, the Blu-ray contains an alternate shot of candles on a chandelier.
no difference (5 sec each) [00:24:17][00:23:55] Alternate shot of the moon.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:25:46][00:25:24] Alternate shot when Toulon grabs the puppet.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:26:17][00:25:55] Ditto when he puts down the puppet.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:28:36][00:28:14] Alternate shot of the puppet.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:28:40][00:28:18] Alternate shot of Dr. Death.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:28:44][00:28:22] Alternate shot of the Cyclops.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:28:55][00:28:33] Alternate shot of Screwhead.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:29:08][00:28:46] Alternate shot of the puppet.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:29:22][00:29:01] Alternate shot of the Cyclops.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:32:06][00:31:44] The Blu-ray lacks the drop of blood on the ring.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:35:53][00:35:31] The DVD fades out when the camera pans to the top.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:38:14][00:37:52] The Blu-ray contains an alternate scene when Toulon and Ilsa are going downstairs. He says Afzel was already asleep.
no difference (5 sec each) [00:38:36][00:38:14] Same here: Alternate footage of them going downstairs on Blu-ray.
no difference (6 sec each) [00:38:45][00:38:23] Alternate shot of Toulon.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:38:49][00:38:27] Same here.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:38:52][00:38:31] Ditto when he tells Ilsa she had to leave.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:38:57][00:38:36] And also when he says it was late and he was busy.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:39:09][00:38:48] Alternate shot when Ilsa intends to leave.
DVD: 8 sec BD: 7 sec [00:39:20][00:38:58] Alternate shot of Ilsa going upstairs.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:39:28][00:39:06] And once again when she says Toulon knew a lot of women.
no difference (5 sec each) [00:38:59][00:39:38] The DVD cuts to the puppet, then to Toulon.
DVD: 3 sec [00:42:45][00:42:21] The DVD contains a flash of light when the symbol of protection falls down.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:42:48][00:42:23] Altered images of Afzel.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:44:31][00:44:07] The death ray effect has been altered.
no difference (5 sec each) [00:44:38][00:44:14] Same here, followed by an alternate shot of the hammer falling to the ground.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:44:43][00:44:19] The death ray effect has been altered.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:44:48][00:44:23] Ditto.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:44:53][00:44:29] Ditto.
no difference (8 sec each) [00:45:53][00:45:28] Alternate shot of the hand with knife.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:45:57][00:45:33] The death ray effect has been altered.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:46:48][00:46:24] Ditto.
no difference (6 sec each) [00:46:56][00:46:31] The death rays are everywhere.
no difference (11 sec each) [00:47:08][00:46:44] Same here when the puppet master is lying on the ground.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:47:40][00:47:16] Ditto when Afzel commits suicide.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:47:44][00:47:19] Ditto.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:47:49][00:47:24] Ditto.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:53:32][00:53:07] Alternate shot of the puppet.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:53:37][00:53:13] Ditto.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:53:42][00:53:18] Ditto.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:53:46][00:53:22] Ditto.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:53:51][00:53:27] The camera zooms in on the gunman.
no difference (5 sec each) [00:53:57][00:53:32] Alternate shot of the gunman.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:54:06][00:53:41] Ditto.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:54:10][00:53:46] Alternate shot of Blade.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:54:15][00:53:51] The camera pans from Blade to Screwhead.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:54:21][00:53:57] Alternate shot of Screwhead.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:54:24][00:54:00] Alternate shot of Dr. Death.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:54:28][00:54:03] The camera zooms in on the Cyclops.
no difference (5 sec each) [00:54:34][00:54:10] Alternate shot of the Cyclops.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:54:38][00:54:14] The camera zooms in on the puppet.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:54:43][00:54:18] Alternate shot of the puppet.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:54:46][00:54:22] Alternate shot of Screwhead, the Cyclops and Dr. Death.
no difference (5 sec each) [00:54:52][00:54:27] Alternate shot of the puppets.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:55:01][00:54:37] Alternate shot of Dr. Death.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:55:08][00:54:44] Tracking shot of two of the puppets.
no difference (4 sec each)) [00:55:18][00:54:53] Alternate shot of the gunman.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:55:21][00:54:57] Alternate shot of Screwhead.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:55:28][00:55:03] Alternate shot of Blade.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:55:34][00:55:10] Alternate shot of Dr. Death.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:55:38][00:55:14] Alternate shot of the Cyclops.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:55:43][00:55:18] Alternate shot of the puppet.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:55:50][00:55:25] Alternate shot of Blade.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:55:55][00:55:30] Alternate shot of the puppets.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:56:26][00:56:01] The death ray effect has been altered.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:56:30][00:56:05] Ditto.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:56:36][00:56:10] Ditto.
no difference (1sec each) [00:56:43][00:56:18] Ditto.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:56:48][00:56:22] Ditto.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:56:54][00:56:28] Ditto.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:57:00][00:56:34] Ditto.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:57:11][00:56:46] Ditto.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:57:17][00:56:51] The Blu-ray lacks the death ray effect.
no difference (2 sec each) [00:57:30][00:57:04] The death ray effect has been altered.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:57:38][00:57:12] Alternate shot of Dr. Death stabbing the leg.
no difference (3 sec each) [00:58:11][00:57:45] Same here.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:58:13][00:57:48] Ditto.
no difference (1 sec each) [00:58:16][00:57:50] Dr. Death a little longer.
BD: 1 sec [00:59:13][00:58:47] Alternate shot of Dr. Death and the other puppet.
no difference (4 sec each) [00:59:20][00:58:54] Alternate shot of the Cyclops.
no difference (2 sec each) [01:00:41][01:00:15] The effect of the glowing ball has been altered.
no difference (7 sec each) [01:00:57][01:00:31] Ditto.
no difference (4 sec each) [01:03:58][01:03:32] The death ray effect has been altered.
no difference (5 sec each) [01:04:24][01:03:59] And so has the effect during Ilsa's abduction.
no difference (3 sec each) [01:04:54][01:04:28] Same here.
no difference (3 sec each) [01:08:51][01:08:26] Alternate shot of Dr. Death in the train.
no difference (2 sec each) [01:09:16][01:08:50] Alternate shot of Dr. Death.
no difference (2 sec each) [01:09:25][01:08:59] Ditto.
no difference (2 sec each) [01:09:28][01:09:03] Ditto.
no difference (3 sec each) [01:12:44][01:12:18] The death ray effect has been altered.
no difference (3 sec each) [01:13:07][01:12:41] The puppets' attack has been slowed down on Blu-ray. Therefor, the scene is a little longer as well.
no difference (3 sec each) [01:13:23][01:12:57] Alternate scenes when the puppets attack.
no difference (4 sec each) [01:13:31][01:13:05] Alternate shot of Toulon.
no difference (1 sec each) [01:14:10][01:13:45] The Blu-ray lacks the death ray effect.
no difference (2 sec each) [01:15:57][01:15:31] The DVD contains a smooth transition from the train to Toulon while the Blu-ray simply cuts from one scene to the other.
no difference (3 sec each) [01:16:40][01:16:16] The Blu-ray fades off a little more slowly. In addition to that, the end credits are different.
DVD: 3:30 min Blu-ray: 3:47 min |
