Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Alien from L.A. Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 28, 2021

She was a major force in the modeling world of the late 1980s, wowing fans with her clear beauty, which gave her industry authority and newsstand omnipresence. But someone, somewhere wanted Kathy Ireland to be an actress, trying to transfer a person who made a living off her looks into a dramatic force for the big screen. 1988’s “Alien from L.A.” is her debut feature, with director Albert Pyun trying to do something with Ireland’s lack of thespian training, keeping her front and center for this loose riff on “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “The Wizard of Oz.” “Alien from L.A.” has all the usual low-budget Pyun hustle, with the helmer trying to turn a few sets and a truckload of costumes into fantasy world where everything looks the same, and it has Ireland, who understandably isn’t trying that hard to come up with a performance, whining and squeaking her way through a movie that isn’t terribly exciting, even when it tries to be.

Wanda (Kathy Ireland) is a young woman with self-esteem issues, recently dumped by her boyfriend. She’s also dealing with the loss of her father, Arnold (Richard Haines), who disappeared while researching life at the center of the Earth. Receiving a letter from her father requesting her presence in Africa, Wanda travels to his home, discovering his work in a chamber beneath the dwelling, accidentally falling down a deep hole. Coming to, Wanda learns she’s now in Atlantis, surrounded by different alien communities trying to maintain order, befriending Guten (William R. Moses), a miner, persuading him to help her find Arnold. While on this special quest, Wanda is exposed to the dangers of Atlantis, with criminals and the local law looking to capture her for future study as a “surface world” alien.

There are a few scenes in the beginning of “Alien from L.A.” that provide some “surface world” life, with Pyun detailing Wanda’s depressing existence as she fears everyone is abandoning her. These are brief blasts of daylight and open world movement before the rest of the feature makes its way to Atlantis, which is basically made up of dimly lit, claustrophobic sets that are always filled with dirt and smoke. Not really the stuff of a ripping yarn for the whole family, but Pyun doesn’t have many options, working to transform small spaces into a vast Atlantean kingdom inhabited by miners, trolls, gangsters, and government enforcers, giving the Los Angeles native a real trip as she tries to process everything she’s encountering. “Alien from L.A.” is similar to 1993’s “Super Mario Bros.” misfire, which also offered oppressive, set-bound dinginess while trying to summon a little “fun” for young audiences.

“Alien from L.A.” could be exploratory, but Pyun doesn’t have that kind of budget or screenplay, with the writing favoring DOA comedy beats from Wanda as she tries to make sense of all the strangeness. There’s really no villain in the picture, just a few authority figures, including gangster Mambino (Deep Roy), who wears long eyelashes and has a short temper. Something of a love interest is found with Charmin (Thom Mathews), but his arrival comes at the hour mark, and he doesn’t stick around for very long, making his addition to the story puzzling. Instead of finding her way into the Atlantis expanse, Wanda and her “big bones” (another detail that’s not clarified) mostly stay put, with Pyun asking a lot of Ireland as she tries to play a lovable nerd-type with a shrill voice, which does very little to make the character likeable. Ireland is stiff in the movie, better with silent close-ups than dialogue exchanges.

Alien from L.A. Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Alien from L.A." is listed as "Newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm interpositive." Detail is compelling throughout the viewing experience with some degree of softness, but facial surfaces are textured, extending to Atlantean makeup efforts and general filth on faces. Costuming is fibrous, dealing with swimwear and heavier inner-world outfits. Sets are reasonably dimensional, often caked in smoke, with L.A. exteriors looking clear and dimensional. Colors are nicely refreshed, finding lighting schemes in the Atlantean realm pushing primaries to add style. Clothing also handles with period hues. Extreme looks, including Mambino's red lashes, retain distinction. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Alien from L.A. Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers sharp dialogue exchanges, preserving performance choices and Ireland's consistent whining. Scoring cues offer synth support with clarity and width, supporting the adventure with decent emphasis. Atlantean industrial bustle is appreciable, along with "surface world" bustle.

Alien from L.A. Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Making a Fairytale" (13:46, HD) is an interview with director Albert Pyun, who recalls his initial inspiration for the screenplay, creating "Alien from L.A." while walking around earthquake destruction in Mexico during his time making "Down Twisted." The production moved to South Africa for the shoot, with Pyun making the best of his surroundings, offered access to sets during a tumultuous time in the country's history. The casting of Kathy Ireland is recalled, with the model hired for her height, and Pyun examines his relationship with Cannon Films, who were unsure about making family features. The interviewee shares his thoughts on world-building, and he offers some information on the making of 1989's "Journey to the Center of the Earth," transforming an unfinished movie into a sequel to "Alien from L.A."

• "Putting the Puzzle Together" (10:50, HD) is an interview with actor Thom Mathews, who reveals was handed a straight offer to appear in "Alien in L.A." The film was almost finished when Pyun decided he needed a romantic interest, bringing Mathews in at the last minute to add some life to the picture. The interviewee has nothing but nice things to say about Kathy Ireland, and he celebrates Pyun's directorial inventiveness, managing to turn a tiny budget into a larger movie. Mathews discusses his fight scene and first reaction to the feature, also detailing his recent adventures on the convention circuit, meeting fans of efforts such as "The Return of the Living Dead" and "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives," occasionally encountering an admirer of "Alien from L.A."

• Audio Interview (3:22) with actress Linda Kerridge is a brief summary of her experience on "Alien from L.A." Having previously worked with Albert Pyun, Kerridge was comfortable taking the job, also happy to have a paycheck and seven weeks in Africa, where she enjoyed some tourist highlights. Memories of Kathy Ireland ae shared, and Kerridge reinforces her love for Pyun.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Alien from L.A. Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Alien from L.A." offers a climatic chase to get something going, and there's the writing's interest in transforming Wanda's journey into a "Wizard of Oz" riff, with Pyun attempting to transform the static endeavor into a fairy tale. There's simply not enough spirit in this picture to reach that level of fantasy, and a better lead actress could easily find a way to make Wanda compelling as an emotional wreck and Atlantean fugitive, giving the feature more to work with.