Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Biohazard Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 26, 2016

While we know Fred Olen Ray today as a multifaceted filmmaker capable of grinding out movies with alarming speed, he was once a hungry young director on the rise, trying to break into the industry with his vision for low-budget entertainment. 1983’s “Scalps” made an impression, but 1985’s “Biohazard” started to get the ball rolling for the helmer, who musters up all his creative energy to complete an “Alien” clone where the beast from a distant galaxy is played by a five-year-old boy (Chris Olen Ray, Fred’s son). Expectations aren’t welcome here, as Ray barrels through this scrappy production, trying to keep faint star power and visual distractions active enough to cover for the endeavor’s distinct lack of polish.

Deep inside a remote military facility in the desert, government scientists are using Lisa’s (Angelique Pettyjohn) psychic abilities to help search through space and time, reaching an unknown dimension to make contact with an alien society. Retrieving a large container in the process, General Randolph (Aldo Ray) demands the trunk-like object be taken off-site for additional study. During the trip, a small alien breaks out and kills his captor, taking off into the desert for safety. Sent to capture the invader is Mitchell (William Fair), a disgraced military man who’s looking to redeem himself, who’s eventually paired with Lisa, with the duo attempting to follow radioactive clues and find their target, which has infiltrated suburbia, ready to kill again.

When it comes together, “Biohazard” is actually an impressive replication of monster cinema from the 1950s, setting up the alien arrival with scenes of experimentation, where doubting military leaders observe Lisa’s display of power, arguing over her purpose and true abilities. It’s wacky movie science delivered with comfortably broad performances, including Ray, who barks his lines as though it’s the first time he’s reading them, giving the effort some punch drunk star power to help with expositional needs in the opening act. The director keeps up the spirit of schlock for at least the first half of “Biohazard,” which stirs in lengthy desert driving sequences to help pad the picture, while the alien mystery actually works, watching the characters debate over and eventually transport a small metal container, not understanding the horror that lies within.

Ray has small goals for “Biohazard,” but the picture actually finds a groove in its early going, offering B-movie antics with meaty supporting characters, while Mitchell takes the lead role, tasked with bringing down the malicious alien with help from Lisa. She provides psychic backup for the plan, while Pettyjohn keeps up exploitation interests with offerings of nudity. Because when there’s a dangerous alien on the loose, already claiming one life as it heads toward suburbia, there’s always time for a quick make-out session, watching Lisa and Mitchell work in a little heavy petting before the reality of a possibly apocalyptic situation sinks in.

Ray knows what viewers want from the effort, and he’s good with escalation, getting “Biohazard” up and moving with dimensional discoveries, which eventually leads to an alien rampage, albeit one orchestrated by a tiny creature with a drooling problem. Size isn’t an issue for “Biohazard,” which follows the alien into everyday homes to claim a safe haven, killing humans it encounters in gruesome ways. Ray identifies his “Alien” homages with chestburster and facehugger imagery, and there’s a bizarre “E.T.” sight gag as well, keeping the picture familiar and slightly comedic, though gore is strong, with fried faces and the peeling of flesh. Additional distractions are provided by homeless men casually interacting with danger, and an older couple who hit the visitor with their truck, hoping to profit off the seemingly lifeless body.

Biohazard Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers impressive clarity for the B-movie, making detail a highlight of the viewing experience, which samples creature textures, facial particulars, and set design. Sharpness is healthy and the image bright, providing a fresh view of a film that's been primarily enjoyed on VHS. Colors are communicative, with clear primaries from lighting sources and costuming, while darker alien hues are equally appealing, remaining stable. Delineation is satisfying. Grain is present, but a little inconsistent. Source displays wear and tear, with scratches, debris, and a few splice marks on view, and judder is present early on.

Biohazard Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 Dolby Digital sound mix isn't anything remarkable, but there isn't much detail for the track to work with, finding the sonic reach of "Biohazard" inherently limited. Dialogue exchanges are a little too sharp, with brittle highs, but intelligibility is adequate, never dropping dramatic moments. Scoring is supportive but rarely inspired, with instrumentation passable without delivering true precision. Sound effects are acceptable, and atmospherics are mild at best.

Biohazard Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Fred Olen Ray and filmmaker David DeCoteau.

• Interview (18:13, HD) with Fred Olen Ray covers a range of production stories, mostly concerning the fatigued filmmaker trying to maintain momentum after his previous effort, "Scalps," managed to achieve a theatrical release. Ray recalls casting achievements, recruiting Angelique Pettyjohn during her afternoon shift at a local strip club, while Aldo Ray was a full-blown alcoholic at the time, requiring detox, make-up, and professional threats to keep him in line. Ray also discusses financing woes and a title challenge with 20th Century Fox, which had their own "Biohazard" in production (later released as "Warning Sign"), and he's honest about the feature's shortcomings, identifying the work as an important stepping stone in his career. It's a fascinating conversation.

• Interview (5:11, HD) with actor Frank McDonald briefly covers production memories and Aldo Ray fandom, with the newcomer trying to catch a private moment with the seasoned performer.

• Interview (9:10, HD) with Chris Olen Ray reunites with the little kid who portrayed the alien, highlighting suit difficulties and long overnight shoots, where the director's son tried to keep awake with help from the cast and crew. Weirdly, Chris went on to portray creatures in other horror productions.

• Interview (5:25, HD) with Richard Hench explores the start of his career in "Scalps," his work with Panavision to help shoot "Biohazard" in 35mm, and his undying love for Ray's professional integrity.

• Interview (1:44, HD) with David DeCoteau quickly summarizes Ray's ability to add production value to his no-budget feature by renting Roger Corman sets on the weekends.

• "Beyond Fear" (5:13, SD) offers all the available footage of an unfinished movie Ray began when he had extra time on one of Corman's sets, banging out a few scenes for future use. Aldo Ray appears.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Biohazard Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ray doesn't achieve a snowballing sense of doomsday with "Biohazard," as its first half is more engaging and exciting than its second. Ray also distorts the viewing experience by including actual production process in the final shot of the effort (Fair breaks character, and we hear Ray call cut), while the end credits are beefed up with outtakes, keeping matters cheeky when they had a shot a passable severity. "Biohazard" isn't really a horror feature, but it's certainly more effective as one, toying with genre habits and tensions. It doesn't have the resources to truly come alive, but Ray clearly enjoys the exercise, only reaching for silliness when the prospect of landing a complete chiller proves to be too daunting a task.