The Corner Penthouse

Ginger Snaps (2000) arrives on 4K UHD & Blu-ray as the 39th entry in Lionsgate's Vestron Video Collector's Series, "a line of classic and unique genre films, remastered and numbered, and packed with special features." I have reviewed several other titles in the series.

[ SYNOPSIS ]

Ginger Snaps is the story of death-fixated teenage sisters Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and Brigitte (Emily Perkins), who are attacked one night by a creature drawn to Ginger's first menstrual period. Bitten by the creature, Ginger soon exhibits sudden aggression and bizarre transformations that convince Brigitte her sister is turning into a werewolf…and that Ginger's embrace of her liberating new condition may be terminal.

[ SPECIFICATIONS ]

The movie is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a runtime of 1:48:41. The movie has been not been rated. Audio languages include English. Subtitle languages include English, English SDH.

[ SPECIAL FEATURES ]

All of the content listed below can be found on both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs.

• Audio Commentary - with director John Fawcett.
• Audio Commentary - with writer Karen Walton.
• The Pact: Ginger Snaps Forever (21:19) - A new 2026 interview with the director and other crew members, but NOT the two lead actresses.
• Ginger Snaps: Blood, Teeth and Fur (1:06:34) - A full-length documentary from 2014 with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Growing Pains: Puberty in Horror Films (27:09) - In this 2014 feature, a panel of female film buffs discuss aspects of Ginger Snaps that have had antecedents in earlier films.
• Deleted Scenes (25:02) - A total of 15 scenes, which can be viewed with optional commentary by either John Fawcett or Karen Walton.
• Featurette (4:51) - This vintage 2000 piece has some brief interviews with cast and crew at the time of filming.
• Cast Auditions and Rehearsals (17:46)
• Creation of the Beast (4:59) - A brief look at fabrication of the werewolf.
• Being John Fawcett (2:00) - A brief bit of footage showing director John Fawcett rehearsing with Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins.
• Theatrical Trailers (3:45) - A total of 2 trailers.
• TV Spots (1:01) - A total of 2 spots.
• Production Design Artwork (1:14) - A total of 9 images, which look to have been taken from an old DVD.

[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]

A Digital Copy code voucher is included in the standard two-disc clear 4K UHD-branded case. The first print run includes a slipcover. The case artwork is reversible. The default side matches the slipcover with new artwork by artist Chelsea Lowe, and the reverse features the original theatrical poster art.

[ NOTES ]

Ginger Snaps (2000) is available to buy on 4K UHD + Blu-ray through the link in the list below. I have always loved this film, and it still holds up today. It's such a brilliant idea to make lycanthropy an allegory for female puberty. It works so well, especially due to the performances of the two leads, Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins. I simply can not recommend this film highly enough... and not just because of the gorgeous Katharine Isabelle.

I'm happy to report that ALL of the extras from Shout Factory's 2014 Blu-ray are included here, including the two documentaries that Shout created. Despite having an ending that doesn't lend itself to a sequel, there are actually TWO of them! In the U.S., both Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004) and Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004) are only available on DVD. If you want them on Blu-ray, you'll have to get the (purportedly) region-free Ginger Snaps Trilogy Blu-ray set (alt url) from Australian company Via Vision. Of course, that will give you a duplicate copy of the first film with some, but not all, of the same extras from the Lionsgate 4K UHD/Blu-ray. While we can hope that Lionsgate will release the two sequels as a Double Feature Blu-ray somewhere later on in the Vestron line, I'm not entirely sure that they're worth it. The second film, which directly follows the first, has very little Katharine Isabelle in it, and is primarily anchored by a young Tatiana Maslany. The third film takes place in the 1800s and has both Katharine and Emily as the leads again, but they play different characters (possibly ancestors of the sisters from the first film), and the story is nothing special.

The Vestron Video Collector's Series includes the following Blu-ray releases.


This item has been provided by Lionsgate for review on this site.