Strange Invaders is by no means great but co-writer/director Michael Laughlin does achieve its attempt at nostalgia alien science-fiction and the performances from the adequate cast isn’t bad either. The Blu-ray released through Screen Archives looks and sounds good though the features have much to be desired.
Strange Invaders
(1983)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Horror
Twilight Time | PG – 93 min. – $29.95 | October 13, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Michael Laughlin Writer(s): William Condon & Michael Laughlin and Walter Davis (story), William Condon & Michael Laughlin (screenplay) Cast: Paul Le Mat, Nancy Allen, Diana Scarwid, Michael Lerner, Louise Fletcher DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 1.0) |
** Click Here to Purchase Strange Invaders on Blu-ray from Amazon.com **
PLOT SYNOPSIS
Michael Laughlin directs Strange Invaders, an affectionate homage to science fiction/alien takeover films of the 1950s that stars Paul Le Mat as a university professor searching for his ex-wife (DIANA SCARWID), who seems to have disappeared while visiting her hometown of Centerville, Illinois. In fact, the place turns out to be a hotbed of aliens, in place since the Fifties and weirdly unaware of how the outside world has changed.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.0/5
This release comes with a 6-page essay booklet and features-wise we get an Audio Commentary with Co-Writer Bill Condon (writer/director of the Oscar-winning film, Gods and Monsters) and Co-Writer/Director Michael Laughlin; the track is a bit slow but each (recorded separated) provide background on the film. Also included is the film’s Original Theatrical Trailer (1:25; HD).
VIDEO – 4.25/5
Twilight Time releases Strange Invaders onto Blu-ray presented in its original 2.35 widescreen aspect ratio and given a nice 1080p high-definition transfer. The picture is quite pleasing with bright colors throughout and sharp detail with no major instances of dust marks, aliasing or other flaws. Considering the film is going on 30+ years, some good renovation work was done by MGM.
AUDIO – 3.75/5
The movie comes with a Mono DTS-HD Master Audio track which is respectable though no overly noteworthy. The track does provide for clear dialogue levels and other aspects, ambient noises, as well as screams, make use of the solo track available. There were no hisses making for a clear lossless track.
OVERALL – 3.0/5
Overall, Strange Invaders is by no means great but co-writer/director Michael Laughlin does achieve its attempt at nostalgia alien science-fiction and the performances from the adequate cast isn’t bad either. The Blu-ray released through Screen Archives looks and sounds good though the features have much to be desired.
Published: 10/25/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.