Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Battle for the Lost Planet Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 26, 2019

Paying tribute to the cinema of his youth, writer/director Brett Piper manufactures his own B-movie adventure with 1986’s “Battle for the Lost Planet,” which pairs sci-fi and post-apocalyptic survival for a low-budget brew of filmmaking achievements. One doesn’t come to the feature looking for stunning dramatics, it’s a production that’s more about appreciating what Piper manages to pull off with limited coin, mounting a tale that travels from Earth to Mercury and back again, ending up with a war between alien invaders and human inhabitants struggling to retain the old way of life. It’s not a refined picture, and its run time is downright punishing as the effort continues, but there’s helming pluck presented here that’s easy to admire, watching Piper try to figure out a vision for intergalactic hostilities and earthbound discoveries, working in monsters and mayhem to boost the bottom-shelf appeal of “Battle for the Lost Planet.”

A small time thief looking to make a mess of a controlling government, Harry (Matt Mitler) has stolen a special tape containing plans for a specialized bomb capable of killing anything within its genetic reach. Evading federal enforcers, Harry slips into the cockpit of a space shuttle for safety, only to take off in the ship, soaring into the stars at the very same time alien invaders, the Izags, decide to destroy Earth with pure firepower. Stuck on a ship that’s out of fuel, Harry is forced to endure a five-year-long journey that takes him to Mercury before returning him to Earth, leaving him eager for human company. What he discovers is a band of survivors trying to avoid Izags rule, with Dana (Denise Coward) eager to join Harry as he figures out the importance of the tape he lifted, traveling across Virginia to fight the hostile occupiers. Along the way, Harry finds love with Dana and antagonism from Mad Dog Kelly (Joe Gentissi), the leader of a motorcycle gang who rule the open land.

Harry is fairly standard offering of roguish behavior, acting as something of an antihero for “Battle for the Lost Planet.” He’s not bright and has limited self-control, while his mission to steal the special tape is hazily defined, with the act more about disrupting a system than dealing with a newfound reality in doomsday weapons manufacturing. Piper asks viewers to spend a lot of time with Harry during the first half of the movie, which is devoted to his coverage inside a space shuttle and the vehicle’s eventual launch, breaking through steels walls to soar into the sky and beyond, which destroys a few of the basic living functions overseen by Sheryl, the ship’s computer. It’s an extended stay for Harry in his metal home, left with frozen food he can’t cook and some art tools, allowing him to pass the time dreaming of women he wants to have sex with when he returns to Earth. Piper doesn’t deliver the details of such a lengthy lap around space, but there are a few moments that connect, including Harry’s visit to Mercury, taking a moment to enjoy the view.

Of course, while Harry is speeding away from his home planet, the Izags, aliens with snouts, are destroying it. It’s hardly “Independence Day,” but Piper’s low-fi vision for mass destruction is charming, creating global catastrophe with cardboard and plastic, offering extensive use of miniatures to sell the massacre. Harry soon returns to his home, with the second act of “Battle for the Lost Planet” examining his reentry into a broken society, which presents the feature with a slight “Planet of the Apes” vibe, though the main character isn’t really wowed by Earthly changes, he just wants a female, quickly cozying up to Dana, though their initial outdoor tryst is interrupted by a monster insect attack -- an offering of stop-motion animation that’s intended to bring back all kinds of warm fuzzies connected to the work of Ray Harryhausen. The sugar rush of such handmade horror is effective.

Battle for the Lost Planet Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Battle for the Lost Planet" is sourced from a new scan of the OCN, which captures the low-fi spectacle Piper is aiming to deliver. Cinematographic limitations are reached, providing a detailed look at B-movie achievements, surveying cramped space shuttles sets and industrial locations, while outdoor adventures retain their depth. Textures are acquired on costuming, communicating the roughness of post-apocalyptic gear, and special effects work, showcasing craftsmanship of miniatures and cardboard ruins. Facial surfaces are intact, and make-up achievements are exposed in full. Grain is heavy and filmic. Delineation is secure, preserving darkly lit interiors. Source is in decent shape, with some mild scratches and speckling detected.

Battle for the Lost Planet Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix reflects production limitations, with the track battling sound recording problems and some degree of age, emerging with slight sibilance issues. Performances aren't troubling, finding dialogue exchanges satisfactory without ever enjoying true clarity. The actors are understood, but some electronic voice work for computer characters is a little muddled at times. Scoring works a defined synth energy, giving the main titles some heft, while the rest supports as needed, never stepping on the action. Sound effects are acceptable, secured with some punch for laser fire and explosions.

Battle for the Lost Planet Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (:33) is an audio greeting from writer/director Brett Piper, who briefly describes the difficult shoot for "Battle for the Lost Planet," with emphasis on limited resources and Ray Harryhausen fandom.

• Commentary features Piper.

• "Battle for the Last Movie" (20:44, SD) is an unexpectedly candid interview with Brett Piper, who tracks his early development at an independent filmmaker, completing only two features before he was tasked with the creation of "Battle for the Lost Planet." Trying to scratch his Ray Harryhausen itches, the helmer describes the effort required to put a low-budget sci-fi adventure together, taking over factories and even a chicken coop to find space for the shoot, which ran over-schedule, resulting in a mutiny of sorts from some of the cast, adding to Piper's anxieties during a largely sleepless time in his life. Piper breaks down the selling of the film and his relationship with a difficult producer, who wanted a remake of "Battle for the Lost Planet" for "Mutant War," giving the director 35mm demands he didn't want, forcing Piper to rethink his technical knowhow. There's a short inspection of stop-motion animation, tests of skill, and Piper's lifelong interest in moviemaking, while casting achievements are noted, with Cameron Mitchell demanding cue cards during his first day on "Mutant War." Piper seems a little fatigued of both features, which have been retitled and distributed without his knowledge, and admits embarrassment with the endeavors while still wishing them well on Blu-ray.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Battle for the Lost Planet Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Battle for the Lost Planet" loses steam with the arrival of Mad Dog Kelly, a needless character who contributes to the feature's excessive length. Dips into male chauvinism also distract from the core experience of watching a dim-wit battle the elements and aliens to secure future safety for the world. Stretches of "Battle for the Lost Planet" keep to the essentials in B-movie amusement (boosted by a lively main theme by Zon Vern Pyles), which is worth focusing on, watching Piper live the dream as he organizes a homebrew of filmmaking reverence and video store spectacle.