Disturbing Behavior: Special Edition – MVD Rewind Collection (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1998
Director: David Nutter
Writer: Scott Rosenberg
Cast: James Marsden, Katie Holmes, Tobias Mehler, Nick Stahl, Steve Railsback, Bruce Greenwood, Katharine Isabelle, William Sadler

Release Date: October 11th, 2022
Approximate running time: 83 Minutes 40 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 English, LPCM Stereo English, Dolby Digital Stereo French
Subtitles: English, French
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"Achieve, be excellent...and be afraid. For when the esteemed Blue Ribbon club of Cradle Bay High take their slogans too far, things in the small coastal town begin to go wrong. Dead wrong. And when a "dark sinister force" begins turning the school's curricularly challenged into the soulless, academic elite, three "outsiders" join in a desperate race to avoid becoming insiders and losing their individuality forever!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Disturbing Behavior comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 21.6 GB

Feature: 20 GB

Though no information is provided about the source of this release's transfers, it appears to use the same source as Shout Factory used for their 2016 Blu-ray. That said, the source is in great shape. Colors and flesh tones look correct, image clarity is generally very good, black levels fare well, and this transfer looks filmic. Though this transfer leaves some room for improvement, it holds up well enough until a new transfer comes along.

Audio: 4/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 English, LPCM Stereo English)

This release comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English; a LPCM stereo mix in English; and a Dolby Digital stereo mix in French. Both of the English language tracks are in great shape. Dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should. The differences between the two English language tracks are minimal. Included with this release are removable English subtitles and removable French subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, a collectible mini-poster, a limited edition slipcover (first pressing only), an audio commentary with director David Nutter, and eleven deleted scenes: Caldicott Talks to His Daughter (1 minute 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Newberry Tells Steve the Truth (3 minutes 10 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Officer Cox Gives Steve a Ride Home (2 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Steve’s Nightmare (21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Steve Confronts Dad (2 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Caldicott Explains His Plan (44 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Steve Walks Lindsay Home (50 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Steve Talks About His Brother (3 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Mom Finds a Gun (28 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Rachel Vents to Steve/Love Scene (4 minutes 23 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and The Original Ending (4 minutes 13 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles). The deleted scenes also come with optional audio commentary by David Nutter, and these scenes can be played separately or all together.

Summary:

Though Disturbing Behavior was part of the late 1990’s horror boom that included Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Urban Legend. The result is a film that stands apart from these other films because it is more of a sci-fi/horror hybrid than a straight-up horror film.

Disturbing Behavior was directed by David Nutter, a filmmaker who primarily worked in television. Besides Disturbing Behavior, he only directed three other films: Cease Fire, Trancers 4: Jack of Swords, and Trancers 5: Sudden Deth. He is most remembered for his contributions to The X-Files, where he directed fifteen episodes. His connection to The X-Files ties in with Disturbing Behavior since its premise is something that would fit in perfectly with a show like The X-Files.

While watching Disturbing Behavior, there are elements that will give you Deja Vu. It is easy to see how films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Stepford Wives, and Dead & Buried have elements that served as inspiration. The premise revolves around a community that is overseen by a Frankenstein-like doctor who transforms all of the bad kids into brainwashed teens who look like something from the 1950’s. Unfortunately, there are consequences when one plays God, and the teens who have been transformed into the perfect teenager are prone to side effects that make them violent.

Disturbing Behavior has a strong cast that is a good mix of young up and coming actors and established character actors. All around, the performances are very good, especially (William Sadler) in the role of Dorian Newberry, an eccentric janitor obsessed with exterminating the rodent problem. Another performance of note is James Marsden (The Box) in the role of Steve Clark, the new kid in town, for whom a large portion of the narrative is told from his perspective.

From a production standpoint, there are not many areas where Disturbing Behavior comes up short. The premise is superbly realized, the narrative never lags, and there is an ending that leaves the door open for another film. David Nutter’s direction is solid; the visuals and the soundtrack do a great job of reinforcing the mood. That said, when it comes to Disturbing Behavior’s shortcomings, most of them are connected to the removal of scenes because of poor test screening. Fortunately, these moments are included as an extra for this release, and watching them gives you an idea of what might have been if these scenes were not excised. Ultimately, even in its current form, Disturbing Behavior is a highly entertaining film that fans of 1990’s horror are sure to enjoy.

Disturbing Behavior gets a first-rate release from The MVD Rewind Collection that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and an insightful audio commentary, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer