Dreamscape is a sometimes cheesy 1980s sci-fi thriller but incredibly fun featuring a great cast from a young Dennis Quaid to veterans Max von Sydow and Christopher Plummer. Not sure how much replay value it has but it was enjoyable enough.
Dreamscape
— Collector’s Edition —
(1984)
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Horror
Shout Factory | PG13 – 99 min. – $29.99 | December 13, 2016
Date Published: 12/04/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.25/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Alex Gardner (DENNIS QUAID) is a man with an incredible psychic gift… but for years has used it solely for personal gain. Reuniting with his old mentor, Dr. Novotny (MAX VON SYDOW), Gardner joins a government project in which he learns to channel his abilities in order to enter someone else’s subconscious through their dreams. As his powers grow, the young psychic soon finds himself in a living nightmare of conspiracy and murder… and the only way out is to go back in. Quick Hit Review: Before there was Inception, there was Dreamscape and although it does have some of the hallmarks of the 1980s with the style, the movie’s highlight is an incredible cast; seeing Christopher Plummer and Max von Sydow share a couple tense scenes was something to behold and a young Dennis Quaid turns on his natural charm that makes some of the plot’s shortcomings bearable including a cheesy finale that still works and the effects are, for the most part, fairly impressive for an early/mid 1980s flick. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 4.25/5 |
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This release comes with a matted slip cover and reversible inner cover. Audio Commentary — Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis, Co-Screenwriter David Loughery and Special Makeup Craig Reardon Dreamscapes and Dreammakers (1:01:50; HD) — This is a new, and lengthy, retrospective featurette with interviews by Director Joseph Ruben, Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis, Co-Writer David Loughery, Actor David Patrick Kelly (Tommy Ray Glatman) and members of the special effects team and crew. Nightmares and Dreamsnakes (23:23; HD) looks back at the “Snakeman” with Special Makeup Craig Reardon, Actor David Patrick Kelley, Co-Writer David Loughery and Associate Producer/Co-Writer Chuck Russell. Includes some neat behind-the-scenes photos and test footage. Dennis Quaid: The Actor’s Journey (14:50; HD) is a new interview with Actor Dennis Quaid discussing the story and his co-stars. Oddly, this is not advertised on the back cover, so could’ve been a late addition. Bruce Cohn Curtis & Chuck Russell: In Conversation 2016 (23:31; HD) has the two Producer and Associate Producer/Co-Writer chatting about the film together. Also included is Snake Man Test Footage (2:16; HD), a Still Gallery (2:32; HD) and the Theatrical Trailer (2:13; HD). |
VIDEO – 4.5/5 |
| Dreamscape debuts on Blu-ray through Shout’s Scream Factory line and for a movie now going on 30+ years, it’s not bad looking at all. The film is presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and given a 1080p high-definition transfer (MPEG-4 AVC codec). Colors are generally bright and while there is some natural film grain, detail is still relatively sharp and well defined. I didn’t notice any major instances of aliasing, artifacts, banding or other flaws so it appears to be a clean transfer. |
AUDIO – 4.0/5 |
| The movie includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track (along with the usual 2.0 Shout includes in their releases) and while there are a couple action-y scenes, especially during the finale, the bulk of the film is dialogue driven which sounds crisp and clean with the rear channels keeping active for ambient noises and off-camera elements. |
OVERALL – 3.5/5 |
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Overall, Dreamscape is a sometimes cheesy 1980s sci-fi thriller but incredibly fun featuring a great cast from a young Dennis Quaid to veterans Max von Sydow and Christopher Plummer. Not sure how much replay value it has but it was enjoyable enough. This “Collector’s Edition” release by Shout Factory offers up great video and good audio transfers and a solid selection of bonus features. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.