The New Mutants Blu-ray Review + Digital Giveaway

Marvel’s The New Mutants has seen its fair share of release setbacks that stem from reshoots to studio acquisitions. And the ongoing pandemic didn’t help things either. But the X-Men spinoff finally found its way to a theatrical release – so to speak. Though the superhero film with a horror/thriller twist was met with mixed reviews, it was a nice excuse to go to a drive-in and get from the realities of the depressing news of Covid-19. So if you missed the film earlier this year, you could see it in the comfort and safety of your home as it arrives on Blu-ray and 4K. 

The New Mutants opens with Dani Moonstar (Blu Hunt), awakened by her panicked father because an unseen force attacks her small hometown. Though she manages to escape by running into the forest, she blacks out. She awakens again, handcuffed to a hospital bed, and starts to question how she got there. That’s when Dr. Cecilia Reyes (Alice Braga) explains to Dani that she is in a hospital for people with superpowers. And she isn’t alone. There’s Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams), a mutant who can transform into a wolf; Sam Guthrie (Charlie Heaton), a kid who moves at uncontrollable supersonic; Roberto da Costa (Henry Zaga), Sunspot, a mutant who can absorb and channel solar power; and Ilyana Rasputin (Anya Taylor-Joy), a mutant who can manifest mystical armor and a powerful sword.

The film then goes in a very predictable direction as the hospital is in reality, a prison that is holding Dani and her friends against their will. Soon, they have to fight their way out while also confronting their insecurities and personal demons.

To be fair, The New Mutants tries to do something fresh within the X-Men universe but ends up playing safe by playing up familiar tropes we’ve seen in coming of age films. One has to wonder what the film would have been like if there were little studio interference and the film was released as originally scheduled. But after spending the better part of three years on a shelf and the so-so reviews, I think it’s worth noting that this was one of the films that helped remind us what the theatrical experience is like, especially after we’ve been away from it for so long. What’s more, it was one of those films that helped bring back the drive-in experience.

Of course, since The New Mutants is one of the smaller Marvel films, it doesn’t have the luxury of having a blockbuster budget. And it shows in the lackluster CGI, which isn’t as strong as some of the other superhero films. While this may dull some of the scarier moments and weaken the desired effects of the more significant action sequences, it’s clear that The New Mutants was more character and story-driven. 

So despite its generic narrative, the relationships make The New Mutants a worthwhile watch and an X-Men film that’s better than some of the recent X-Men films. And the LGBTQ subplot that makes this superhero film reflective of the world that we live in today. 

Though the Blu-ray video quality is more of a determent, the sound quality brings you into the film in unexpected ways. This is especially true during some of the bigger action sequences, like when the teens are fighting the demon bear or when they are testing their powers. 

As for the bonus features, it comes with deleted scenes, origins explorations, and director commentary.

• Deleted Scenes (1080p; 10:52)

• Origins & Influences (1080p; 7:27) Legendary comics artist Bill Sienkiewicz and the filmmakers explore the origins and influences behind THE NEW MUTANTS.

• Meet the New Mutants (1080p; 7:16) Cast members share their experiences while filming and reveal how they bonded as a family, much like the characters in the film.

• Audio Commentary features Josh Boone and Bill Sienkiewicz.

• Theatrical Trailers (1080p; 4:23)

The New Mutants GIVEAWAY

One ThatsITLA winner will receive a digital code for THE NEW MUTANTS. The code can be redeemed at MoviesAnywhere.com or on the Movies Anywhere app.

The Giveaway ends November 25th. The winner will be announced on November 26th, 2020.

Tell us you want to win in the comment section below. That’s IT!