Ginger Snaps Trilogy Limited Edition Blu-ray Set (2000-2004) Review
Ginger Snaps Trilogy Limited Edition Blu-ray Set
The original film is set in the suburban Canadian town of Bailey Downs, where a series of dog killings piques the interest of a pair of outcast teens; sisters Brigitte (Emily Perkins, Supernatural) and Ginger (Katharine Isabelle, Freddy v Jason) Fitzgerald. Then on the night of Ginger’s first period, she is savagely attacked by a wild creature but even though her injuries miraculously heal, she’s left with a newfound desire to devour…
Brigitte must find a way to save her sister from her werewolf ways and with only 28 days to do so, can she stop the creature her sister has become in its tracks, or will they both succumb to the animalistic instincts?
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed from director Brett Sullivan, sees Brigitte wrestling with her own transformation, as she is forcefully put into rehab and must identify friend from foe, all the while battling a male werewolf who’s stalking her. Tatiana Maslany, (She-Hulk: Attorney at law, Orphan Black) and Eric Johnson (Smallville, Fifty Shades) also star.
Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning from director Grant Harvey, depicts the ancestors of Brigitte and Ginger Fitzgerald, in 19th century Canada. They must battle villagers and werewolves alike as accusations and attacks come at them from all sides. Can they make it out alive or will they succumb to a lycanthropic life?
This beautifully presented box set of the trilogy, features a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Michael Dunbabin, and a 112-page book with new essays. There is also a litany of special features, including commentaries and new interviews plus a multitude of behind-the-scenes featurettes and more, making this set a must have for horror aficionados. Please see the full list of contents below.
Ginger Snaps (2000) Review
When I first watched Canadian supernatural horror flick GINGER SNAPS back at the time of its original release on UK retail I was underwhelmed. To me, the premise read as a gender spin on the core dynamic of John Landis’ AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981) substituting two close male friends for two pubescent sisters, and what unfolds their way following a lycanthrope attack.
Anything set at either an American or Canadian high school – unless it’s CARRIE (1976), GREASE (1978) or HEATHERS (1988) – tends to aggravate my sensibilities and I am therefore less inclined to warm to a flick primarily based at such a location that happened when I first viewed the original GINGER SNAPS, I ended up cold-shouldering it.
However, in reviewing GINGER SNAPS for its forthcoming UK retail release some twenty years or so later I found myself enjoying it more, caught up more in the nuances that permeate through director John Fawcett’s film than the hijinks of irritating youths. It feels very much ahead of its time as it tackles how females, particular younger females, are treated by males, something that’s addressed everywhere in society and in film right now, even in BARBIE (2023) but not so much back at the turn of the new millennium.
However, for all its plus points there were times I felt that I was watching something more akin to TEEN WOLF (1985) than one of the classic werewolf flicks. It’s longer running time felt unnecessary and I found my interest-level waning around its midpoint.
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004) Review
Directed by Brett Sullivan – the first film’s editor – and filmed back-to-back with prequel GINGER SNAPS BACK: THE BEGINNING (also released in 2004), GINGER SNAPS 2: UNLEASHED is that very rare of beasts, a sequel that’s better than the original.
Sure, the first film had its moments but tended to drag in its second half. GINGER SNAPS 2 is tidier, trimmer and doesn’t resort to giving the viewer a tired retread of the original. The location is different, the focus is different, but it remains as female centric as the original, one of the first film’s key saving graces.
Admittedly it does resort to upping the gore and the number of jump scares but so what, these moments work, as does the film. It’s also darker tonally dropping the original’s satire in favour of a more nihilistic vibe.
Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004) Review
This prequel, directed by Grant Harvey, feels lacklustre and generic in comparison to the previously released flicks. Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins both return, this time as Ginger and Brigette Fitzgerald respectively, who both survive a boat sinking and end up amongst the men that make up the Northern Legion Trading Company who are under constant attack from ‘Wendigos’.
The film details the beginnings of the curse, hence the title, however I have never been a fan of prequels, in fact I can’t think of one that I like. I am also not a fan of period pieces so by having this set in the 19th Century was never going to win me over.
Special Features
Ginger Snaps
New audio commentary by Mary Beth McAndrews and Terry Mesnard
Audio commentary with director John Fawcett
Audio commentary with writer Karen Walton
Canadian Uncanny: Stacey Abbott on Ginger Snaps
A Blood Red Moon: a new interview with director John Fawcett
What Are You Wereing?: a new interview with producer Steve Hoban
The Art of Horror: a new interview with Storyboard Artist Vincenzo Natali
Ginger Snaps: Blood, Teeth and Fur
Growing Pains: Puberty in Horror Films
The Making of Ginger Snaps
Cast Auditions and Rehearsals
Deleted scenes with optional director and writer commentaries
Production design work
Creation of the Beast
Trailers and TV Spots
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed
Audio commentary with director Brett Sullivan
Girl, Interrupted: a new interview with director Brett Sullivan
The Bloody Lunar Cycle: a new interview with writer Megan Martin
Behind the Scenes
Deleted scenes with optional director commentary
Audition tapes
Storyboards
Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning
Audio commentary with director Grant Harvey
Snap!: A new interview with director Grant Harvey
Girls on Film: a new interview with producer Paula Devonshire
The Making of Ginger Snaps Back
Deleted scenes with optional director commentary
Grant Harvey’s Video Diaries
Limited Edition Contents
Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Michael Dunbabin
112-page book with new essays by Meredith Borders, Kat Hughes, Dr Rachel Knightley, Mikel J Koven, Jolene Richardson, Zoë Rose Smith and Caelum Vatnsdal
5 collectors’ art cards
