Categories: Movie Reviews

Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection

Since the era of silent movies through present day, Universal Pictures has always been known as the home for the greatest movie monsters. This review will showcase a collection of 8 of the greatest, most iconic movie monsters every enshrined on celluloid by Universal Pictures and Carl Laemmle and his son: Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933 ), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Wolf Man (1941), The Phantom of the Opera (1943), and The Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954). All have been painstakingly remastered from the original film stock and rendered in full high definition 1080p. All films are in their original 1.33:1 format with the exception of The Creature From the Black Lagoon, which is in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The audio has been re-master into DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono and they all sound fantastic. The Collection has over 12 hours of bonus features, some in 1080p and some in standard def, that were culled from previous DVD releases. Also included is a 48 page collectible booklet with pictures, posters and trivia.  Reviewed by our own Monster-loving Senior Editor, Jim Milton.

Full Review

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."

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