Ti West’s 2011 supernatural chiller The Innkeepers has recently had a re-release from Second Sight, and their acclaimed reputation lives on with this release, wiping the floor with the previous UK release from Metrodome Video. That release actually ended up being sold here in the UK in Poundland. Hopefully, it encouraged blind buyers to risk a quid and check it out, opening the door to people upgrading to this version.
The Yankee Pedlar Inn, based in Connecticut, is due to close to make way for a new car park. In the final days of business, two staff members, Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy), decide to investigate the history and rumours of the hauntings of the building, and with the help of a paying customer, TV psychic Leanne Jones (Kelly McGuiness), soon learn to regret it.
To say any more would spoil it. It’s a much-tried and tested formula, with little originality, but it works so well on many levels. The main one is the slow burn. A few reviews complain that it takes too long for the story to get going, but I think it’s down to other similar films being too impatient. This slowly builds up the suspense very effectively and pays off really well. The scenes where our two main characters spend most of their time sitting at the front desk, for the sake of three guests staying there, seem a bit pointless at first, but later you realise they were there to help you care for them.
Released on separate Blu-Ray and 4K UHD formats, the Second Sight release features a new remastered picture, which looks superb. The picture is noticeably less muddy than the previous release, with deeper blacks and richer colours.
The audio is mostly based in the front channels, but if you’re watching with surround sound, you will not be disappointed. The rear channel activity is minimal, but when used, it really adds to the atmosphere, with score and effects occasionally sliding back there.
The Special Features, as usual with Second Sight, are plentiful with excellent additions.
There are two commentary tracks, featured on the previous release, both featuring Ti West. The first is him with the crew, which is very technical, along with talks about shooting locations and editorial choices. The second commentary features Ti with cast members Paxton and Healy. This is the better of the two, in my opinion. It’s light-hearted, self-effacing and features some great anecdotes, such as the entire cast and crew staying in the actual hotel during the length of the shoot, which caused a few social issues. The 7-minute behind-the-scenes short from the previous release is also included.
Also included are seven featurettes of new interviews with director West, star Pat Healy, and several crew members. A few tales are repeated on the commentary tracks, but on the whole, they are a worthy addition.
Finally, there is the trailer. HOW DID THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS? It is pretty much a montage showing nearly every jump scare and plot twist in the entire film. I would be livid if I saw this before the film.
The Innkeepers will surely divide horror fans. It’s slow, but the payoff at the end is satisfactory. No classic, but a nice addition to the creepy titles that Second Sight have recently released. The picture is a big improvement over the previous release, with the bonus art cards and a book of essays, should you opt for the deluxe version. Recommended for the right audience.
FILM – 6 PICTURE – 8 SOUND – 8 EXTRAS – 9 (Apart from the trailer!)
Review by Steve Wells
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