HIM understands the game of football as much as it does the conventions of the kind of horror film it is mashing up with the sports film. Armed with an adroit script that understands pressures both on and off the field for both potential superstars and aging ones that will do anything to win. HIM deftly contorts those pressures to onscreen dread and horror.
College Quarterback and future superstar Cam Cade (Tyriq Withers) sees his career flash before his eyes when he’s assaulted weeks before the draft combine. A second chance hope comes in the form of a private week-long training session with 8-Time Champion, and Cam’s hero, Quarterback Isiah “Zay” White (Marlon Wayans). Over the week, Cam is tested by Zay in more than the usual ways. Can Cam show his dedication to the sport, and he is willing to sacrifice more than his body … his soul if he has to for the game.
If there is any justice, Marlon Wayans will have a second half career filled with these kinds of dark, psychologically unhinged roles. As the aging QB Zay, Wayans is electric not just in the set-piece showy moments but in the subtler, quieter moments. It’s a spectacular piece of both contained and unhinged performance that sits perfectly between Tyriq Withers and Julia Fox’s work. Withers continues to prove he’s a superstar in waiting. Fox continues to show that her performance in Uncut Gems is not a one-off.
Co-Writer/Director Justin Tipping has made a darkly comedic horror film that sports and horror fans alike will find much to love in. More akin to Rosemary’s Baby, with the slowly circling downward spiral into madness than some slasher film. Working with cinematographer Kira Kelly and production designer Jordan Ferrer creates a world of visual unease that at once is heightened and very much the world that superstar athletes inhabit.
HIM is the rarest of treats. A sports genre mash-up that delivers on its premise and promise.
The Transfer
The 4K Transfer with Dolby Vision (HDR10) is a flawless reference-quality presentation. The digitally shot production by Kira Kelly is an excellent example of how 4K UHD with Dolby Vision sets the standard for home video experience. The color, sharpness, and contrast levels are near perfect. The Dolby Vision encoding adds a beautiful subtlety to the blacks and shadow detail. The result is one of the best 4K Transfers of the year.
The Extras
They include the following;
Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Justin Tipping
Alternate Ending: Zay’s Nightmare
Deleted End Credits Scene: Food or Freedom
Deleted Scenes: Cheers, Don’t Be a Mascot, The Publicist, Fantasy Football
Cam’s Discovery
Becoming Them
The Sport of Filmmaking
Anatomy of a Scene: A Diabolical Game of Catch, Rebirth
Hymns of a G.O.A.T.
The Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Justin Tipping begins with how Monkey Paw and Jordan Peele found him. Some of the details from the track include the opening scene shot in spherical before going into anamorphic widescreen, and why that choice was made; Zay’s injury at the beginning was a reference to Basketball injuries, not Football ones; the opening title sequence was meant to introduce some of the visual language and techniques in the film; a larger discussion of the various homages to sports and sports culture throughout the film; a larger discussion of the visual language/techniques he used to accomplish the story; a larger discussion of the various locations and sets they used/employed during the production; a larger discussion of the various actors and crew that worked on the film; and much more. Tipping’s commentary is a wonderful, informative track on all aspects of the production.
Alternate Ending: Zay’s Nightmare (2:13) – gives light to Zay’s (Marlon Wayans) worst fears (tying to the sauna scene) come true, having survived the events of the film.
Deleted End Credits Scene: Food or Freedom (1:07) – a little tag that references the opening moments with the spinning football.
Deleted Scenes (13:19) – can be accessed through a submenu where the scenes can be played individually or all at once through the Play All option:
Cheers (1:13)
Don’t Be a Mascot (6:06)
The Publicist (1:45)
Fantasy Football (1:36)
Cam’s Discovery (2:37)
Becoming Them (9:07) – a detailed look at stars Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans getting into shape to look the part of Elite Quarterbacks. More than getting in shape, the featurette goes into the details of how both actors got mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared for the roles of rookie and veteran Quarterbacks and how they worked on set during the shoot. Featuring interviews with Producer Jordan Peele, Director/Co-Writer Tipping, actors Wayans, Withers, Julia Fox, Athletic Trainer Jordan Palmer, and others.
The Sport of Filmmaking (10:10) – a look into the visual style (and challenges that came out of those choices) through cinematography (lighting, camera rigs, et. al.), production design, character design and costuming, and visual effects work to bring a uniquely cinematic experience to the screen. Featuring interviews with Producer Peele, Director/Co-Writer Tipping, production designer Jordan Ferrer, cinematographer Kira Kelly, stunt coordinator Justin Yu, and others.
Anatomy of a Scene:
A Diabolical Game of Catch (4:25) – a look at one of the most iconic scenes – the torture at the hands of the automated catch machine. The techniques (makeup, VFX, sound design) they used to accomplish the scene.
Rebirth (4:53) – a look at the finale of the film. The techniques (visual cues to football, the pageantry, makeup, VFX, sound design) they used to accomplish the scene.
Hymns of a G.O.A.T. (4:36) – a look at the work of composer Bobby Krlic on the film and his unique approach to the score and sound design. Krlic discusses the various themes created for the score, his collaboration with the various musical artists for the complete integration of the needle drops, the final movement of the film, the score, and more. Featuring interviews with Composer Bobby Krlic, Producer Peele, Director/Co-Writer Tipping, and others.
The Final Thought
Universal has given HIM a beautiful and stacked release filled with insightful extras and perfect picture and sound. Highest possible recommendations!!!
Football and Horror collide in the Jordan Peele-produced HIM, new to 4K UHD from Universal Home Entertainment.
The Film
HIM understands the game of football as much as it does the conventions of the kind of horror film it is mashing up with the sports film. Armed with an adroit script that understands pressures both on and off the field for both potential superstars and aging ones that will do anything to win. HIM deftly contorts those pressures to onscreen dread and horror.
College Quarterback and future superstar Cam Cade (Tyriq Withers) sees his career flash before his eyes when he’s assaulted weeks before the draft combine. A second chance hope comes in the form of a private week-long training session with 8-Time Champion, and Cam’s hero, Quarterback Isiah “Zay” White (Marlon Wayans). Over the week, Cam is tested by Zay in more than the usual ways. Can Cam show his dedication to the sport, and he is willing to sacrifice more than his body … his soul if he has to for the game.
If there is any justice, Marlon Wayans will have a second half career filled with these kinds of dark, psychologically unhinged roles. As the aging QB Zay, Wayans is electric not just in the set-piece showy moments but in the subtler, quieter moments. It’s a spectacular piece of both contained and unhinged performance that sits perfectly between Tyriq Withers and Julia Fox’s work. Withers continues to prove he’s a superstar in waiting. Fox continues to show that her performance in Uncut Gems is not a one-off.
Co-Writer/Director Justin Tipping has made a darkly comedic horror film that sports and horror fans alike will find much to love in. More akin to Rosemary’s Baby, with the slowly circling downward spiral into madness than some slasher film. Working with cinematographer Kira Kelly and production designer Jordan Ferrer creates a world of visual unease that at once is heightened and very much the world that superstar athletes inhabit.
HIM is the rarest of treats. A sports genre mash-up that delivers on its premise and promise.
The Transfer
The 4K Transfer with Dolby Vision (HDR10) is a flawless reference-quality presentation. The digitally shot production by Kira Kelly is an excellent example of how 4K UHD with Dolby Vision sets the standard for home video experience. The color, sharpness, and contrast levels are near perfect. The Dolby Vision encoding adds a beautiful subtlety to the blacks and shadow detail. The result is one of the best 4K Transfers of the year.
The Extras
They include the following;
The Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Justin Tipping begins with how Monkey Paw and Jordan Peele found him. Some of the details from the track include the opening scene shot in spherical before going into anamorphic widescreen, and why that choice was made; Zay’s injury at the beginning was a reference to Basketball injuries, not Football ones; the opening title sequence was meant to introduce some of the visual language and techniques in the film; a larger discussion of the various homages to sports and sports culture throughout the film; a larger discussion of the visual language/techniques he used to accomplish the story; a larger discussion of the various locations and sets they used/employed during the production; a larger discussion of the various actors and crew that worked on the film; and much more. Tipping’s commentary is a wonderful, informative track on all aspects of the production.
Alternate Ending: Zay’s Nightmare (2:13) – gives light to Zay’s (Marlon Wayans) worst fears (tying to the sauna scene) come true, having survived the events of the film.
Deleted End Credits Scene: Food or Freedom (1:07) – a little tag that references the opening moments with the spinning football.
Deleted Scenes (13:19) – can be accessed through a submenu where the scenes can be played individually or all at once through the Play All option:
Becoming Them (9:07) – a detailed look at stars Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans getting into shape to look the part of Elite Quarterbacks. More than getting in shape, the featurette goes into the details of how both actors got mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared for the roles of rookie and veteran Quarterbacks and how they worked on set during the shoot. Featuring interviews with Producer Jordan Peele, Director/Co-Writer Tipping, actors Wayans, Withers, Julia Fox, Athletic Trainer Jordan Palmer, and others.
The Sport of Filmmaking (10:10) – a look into the visual style (and challenges that came out of those choices) through cinematography (lighting, camera rigs, et. al.), production design, character design and costuming, and visual effects work to bring a uniquely cinematic experience to the screen. Featuring interviews with Producer Peele, Director/Co-Writer Tipping, production designer Jordan Ferrer, cinematographer Kira Kelly, stunt coordinator Justin Yu, and others.
Anatomy of a Scene:
Hymns of a G.O.A.T. (4:36) – a look at the work of composer Bobby Krlic on the film and his unique approach to the score and sound design. Krlic discusses the various themes created for the score, his collaboration with the various musical artists for the complete integration of the needle drops, the final movement of the film, the score, and more. Featuring interviews with Composer Bobby Krlic, Producer Peele, Director/Co-Writer Tipping, and others.
The Final Thought
Universal has given HIM a beautiful and stacked release filled with insightful extras and perfect picture and sound. Highest possible recommendations!!!
Universal Home Entertainment’s 4K UHD Edition of HIM is out now.
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