This 1988 horror / comedy / sci-fi epic was produced, written and directed by every member of the Chiodo klan.
Reportedly produced on a two million dollar budget, and shot in and around Watsonville and Santa Cruz, California, it remains a fan favorite, although reviews are all over the place. It is both loved and hated by critics.
I saw is aeons ago, possibly via one of the 32″ Edison Video Cylinders, and I was not impressed. Detail and colors were meh at best, and I could wait for the cylinder to wind down.
But now something odd and unexpected has occurred in the alien universe. Scream Factory has acquired a 4k scan, packaged it with extras and seemingly gone whole hog, adding Dolby Vision and a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, presumably returning to original audio and giving the old Dolby Digital master an upgrade.
It’s like seeing the film for the first time.
On top of that, they created what can only be referenced as a “Collectible” Steelbook, that may become one of the major Steelbook investments of 2024. Design, lurid colors and reflectivity combine for a gorgeous package.
As a two-disc set, it appears to be an achievement pushed by someone at Shout who must love the film.
The problem that one encounters, however, is that this newish 4k scan is so beautifully crafted that it reduces the schlock value of the production, and raises it to studio level.
Color, overall resolution, black levels, shadow detail and grain structure are all superb
Still scratching my head on this one, but if you’re a fan best to step up to the plate unless you want to be searching the bay for “investment” copies.
An absolutely gorgeous new 4k for a film that never asked to be one. As to the filmmakers, you can find Stephen Chiodo’s work as animation director for the recent Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, and Edward is Animation Producer.
Image – 10 (Dolby Vision)
Audio – 10 (DTD-HD MA 5.1)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors – Yes
Makes use of and works well in 4k – 7.5
Upgrade from Blu-ray – Absolutely
Worth your attention – If you’re a fan
Slipcover rating – 7.5
Recommended
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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