MGM/FOX has released another catalogue title on blu-ray, which is more entertaining than one would expect. “TEEN WOLF” stars Michael J. Fox, then an unknown, as a high-school basketball player, Scott. The plot and atmosphere has a heavy ‘80s feel, in a good way. Scott carries the werewolf gene, and while at first an unknown in school and unaware a girl he’s friends with, “Boof,” is attracted to him. When the werewolf gene starts taking affect on him, with extra hair growth, at first, followed by a sudden, huge transformation, he’s finally aware of his secret.  As an ‘80s type film would have it, when this change occurs during a basketball game, his transformation makes him a great player on the basketball court, and the “werewolf” thing is ridiculously and easily accepted by fans.  But, Scott has inner conflict, questioning whether who he is as a person matters more than who basketball fans and schoolmates want him to be! 

Ignoring all “werewolf” lore of the past, “TEEN WOLF” attempts and generally succeeds in focusing on the underdog-to-star in high-school fantasy of so many adolescents. It’s silly, predictable, but likeable all the same. Fox does a decent job, and the rest of the cast is amiable enough to make the viewer interested if unbelieving as to the relationships that transpire.

MGM/FOX has provided the correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray. Colors are solid and detail is impressive for such a “B” catalogue title. Some artifacts pop up occasionally, and a few soft spots, but overall, it’s notably improved over the dvd counterpart.

MGM/FOX has provided a DTS-HD MA 2 channel mix. This is an example of a mix that may as well have been offered in regular mono. There is no instance of separation, and music has an inferior quality to that of many mono dvd releases. Dialogue, at least, is always intelligible and never suffers from distortion.

A theatrical trailer is offered in 1080p as well as a preview for a tv series adaptation, in 1080p.