Much like the prior laziness we’ve been promoting in the past few reviews, we’re going to forego giving Halloween III: Season of the Witch a traditional film review because we’ve pretty much done that to death. You can check out Michael’s review of the movie here on our sister site, or listen to the Blood and Black Rum Podcast episode on it where we ogle Tom Atkins’ ass too much. Your choice; however, we won’t go into too many specifics about the movie here. Instead, on to the 4K UHD information!
4K UHD
Scream Factory’s 4K UHD comes only 3 years after their previous steelbook release sporting a 4K scan from the original camera negative (but was it? the information has been notoriously incorrect). This time around, we truly get a UHD experience with a new 2021 4K scan of the original camera negative which infuses a lot more warmth to the color timing, something that seemed to have been stripped from both the Halloween II and Halloween III steelbooks. While Scream Factory’s previous scan looked very strong, this new 4K UHD does improve on the overall detail with an extremely impressive offering. The grain scale is minimal but this still plays very filmic, and overall clarity is at an all-time high – just note the pock marks and pores on Tom Atkins’ face for reference. The DolbyVision also enhances the darker scenes’ shadows, allowing for much more contrast and a warmer, vibrant color timing that is quite apparent during scenes with the three masks on display (particularly the factory shots). Overall, this is an impressive UHD release for the film that features strong detail, though prospective buyers will want to view our screenshot comparisons to note the color differences.
Like the previous 4K UHD release, the original DTS-HD MA 2.0 soundtrack is included, as well as a new Dolby Atmos track. I viewed with the Atmos track and noted strong central dialogue and an abundance of satellite usage with the Carpenter/Howarth soundtrack. Overall, a very satisfying audio experience for both purists and those with the tech to take advantage of the Atmos track. English subtitles are also included.
This release features the 4K UHD on one disc with previously released audio commentaries from Tommy Lee Wallace and Tom Atkins respectively, as well as a Blu-ray version of the film containing all the other extra features. Most of these have been ported from the past Scream Factory Blu-rays including a Horror’s Hallowed Grounds episode, a lengthy retrospective featurette, and various trailers and TV spot elements. However, new to this release is an 8-minute interview with Justin Mabry from Trick Or Treat Studios about their production of the Halloween III masks. Also new to this UHD is a newspaper ad still gallery.
Just like the other releases, this gets new artwork with reversible original artwork and a nice hardcover box housing the Blu-ray case.
Extra Features
DISC ONE (4K UHD):
- NEW 2021 4K Scan Of The Original Camera Negative Approved By Cinematographer Dean Cundey
- NEW 2021 Dolby Atmos Track
- Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Tommy Lee Wallace
- Audio Commentary With Actor Tom Atkins
DISC TWO (BLU-RAY):
- NEW 2021 4K Scan Of The Original Camera Negative Approved By Cinematographer Dean Cundey
- NEW 2021 Dolby Atmos Track
- Audio Commentary With Tommy Lee Wallace
- Audio Commentary With Tom Atkins
- NEW “Tricks, Treats And Terror: The Masks Of Halloween III” – An Interview With Justin Mabry Of Trick Or Treat Studios (HD; 7:29)
- “Stand Alone: The Making Of Halloween III: Season Of The Witch” Featuring Tommy Lee Wallace, Actors Tom Atkins And Stacey Nelkin, Stunt Coordinator Dick Warlock, Director Of Photography Dean Cundey, And More (unrestored HD; 33:09)
- Horror’s Hallowed Grounds: Revisiting The Original Filming Locations With Host Sean Clark And Tommy Lee Wallace (unrestored HD; 19:44)
- “Make-up From Scratch” – An Interview With Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Burman (unrestored HD; 6:01)
- Teaser Trailer (unrestored HD; 0:47)
- Theatrical Trailer (unrestored HD; 1:59)
- TV Spots (unrestored HD; 2:11)
- Radio Spots (1:43)
- NEW Newspaper Ad Still Gallery By Drive-In Asylum (chapter breaks; 2:42)
- Movie Stills Gallery (chapter breaks; 6:19)
- Posters and Lobby Cards Gallery (chapter breaks; 3:00)
Verdict
Halloween III: Season of the Witch gets an excellent enhancement with this new 4K UHD from Scream Factory. Adding on to an already loaded set of features are two new extras, along with a new Dolby Atmos option for audio. This is one of the more advantageous upgrades from the Halloween line of 4K UHDs.
