Black Moon Rising Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Black Moon Rising Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 28, 2019

Harley Cokeliss' " Black Moon Rising" (1986) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage trailer for the film; new audio commentary by critic Lee Gambin; new video interview with composer composer Lalo Schifrin; new interview with producer Douglas Curtis; archival featurette with cast and crew interviews; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The future

Professional thief Quint (Tommy Lee Jones) enters a heavily guarded building owned by a corporation that is investigated by the FBI and easily steals a mini-cassette with top-secret information that he has arranged to exchange for a large sum of money that will finally allow him to retire from the business. However, immediately after he exits the building some shady characters begin tracking him down. When they get closer to him, at a gas station he hides the cassette in the back bumper of a fancy concept car, The Black Moon, that an engineer and his assistants are transporting to a wealthy investor in LA. In the city, another team of thieves steals The Black Moon and then places it in an underground warehouse owned by Ed Ryland (Robert Vaughn), a wealthy cold-hearted player with delusions of grandeur. To get to The Black Moon, and the precious cassette, Quint approaches one of Ryland’s thieves, Nina (Linda Hamilton), and after a steamy one-night stand begins working on a plan to enter the warehouse. However, it turns out that getting inside the building and reaching the warehouse is virtually impossible, so Quint decides to seek Nina’s help, not realizing that Ryland thinks of her as one of his most precious possessions. While still trying to stay a few steps ahead of the people that forced him to hide the cassette, Quint is paid a visit by FBI agent Johnson (Bubba Smith), who warns him that he is running out of time to deliver the cassette and if he does his life would get a lot more complicated.

John Carpenter wrote the original story that inspired Black Moon Rising and then also contributed to the script that director Harley Cokeliss used when he shot it. Unsurprisingly, the film has quite a few characteristics that quickly give up Carpenter’s involvement. For example, the easiness with which the film incorporates futuristic ideas in its narrative, legitimizes them, and then utilizes them to craft a unique atmosphere for the action definitely places it a few steps ahead of the competition, which is exactly the reason why Carpenter’s serious action thrillers from the same era acquired their cult status. Additionally, the flow of the film is very organic and as a result the surprises that Quint has to deal with do not look like preplanned distractions that his mission needs to get more exciting. Then there is the manner in which Lalo Schifrin’s music blends with the atmosphere -- it does not enhance the tension, it is an essential element of it, which is usually how Carpenter’s scores fit in his films. (For reference, think how bland and dull Escape from New York would be without Carpenter’s lush synthesizer solos).

The area where the film struggles a bit is the balance of power between its leads. Indeed, the intensity and more importantly the credibility that Jones gives to the jaded thief remain unmatched by his colleagues. Hamilton looks more like a spoiled mistress engaging in risky activities to annoy the wealthy player, so when her supposedly murky past is brought up in the second half it actually hurts her image. Vaughn sells the meanness of his character very well, but when eventually he is placed under some real pressure, he makes amateurish mistakes that also erode his credibility. Smith does not look much like a tough and experienced FBI veteran either. So, all of the above occasionally creates the impression that Jones is actually fully in control of different situations but allows other characters to determine his actions. The film is still very entertaining, but with Carpenter behind the camera and making the final calls there is no doubt that many of the cast would have looked very different.

The original cool futuristic car that is seen in the film was apparently designed and built by a developer in Canada. However, it moved very slowly, so when Cokeliss and cinematographer Misha Suslov shot The Black Moon they did various tricks to make it look as fast as it is in the film.

Black Moon Rising Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Harley Cokeliss' Black Moon Rising arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from a recent 2K remaster that was apparently struck a 35mm interpositive. To be honest, this remaster is a bit of a mixed bag, and I would not describe it as a 'restoration'. (This is precisely how it is described on the back cover of this release). Here's why:

First, there are plenty of small and bigger blemishes, nicks, and stains throughout the entire film. I did not find them distracting, but they are there, and a legit restoration would have completely eliminated them. Second, different parts of the film have a thick appearance that at times leaves the impression that the remaster actually comes from an element that is another generation away from the interpositive. So, a lot of the darker/indoor footage could look thicker and flatter than it should, and in certain areas it is beyond obvious that fine nuances are lost. So, expect minor unevenness popping up here and there. Color balance can be better as well. Some primaries for instance are a bit overwhelming, and elsewhere supporting nuances are either weak or missing. This isn't to imply that there are some serious issues, but ideally the color scheme should be lusher, better balanced, and with a superior overall stability. The good news here is that the entire film still has a decent organic appearance. Yes, it can look better, but density is decent, and there are no traces of awful digital adjustments. Image stability is good. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Black Moon Rising Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I tested both tracks. I usually prefer the original mix and this is still the case with this release, but the 5.1 track actually has better dynamic balance that I found quite attractive. On the other hand, I feel that with an elaborate remix the 2.0 track could be superior because there are a few areas where some unevenness is clearly retained. The important information that needs to underscored is that there are no serious age-related anomalies or transfer issues.

Black Moon Rising Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for Black Moon Rising. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

• Black Moon Ascending: Interview with Harley Cokeliss - in this video interview, director Harley Cokliss recalls how he entered the film business; his interactions with various colleagues that impacted the evolution of his work, such as cinematographer Chris Menges (Kes); his early years in London and the projects that he became involved with; and the production of Black Moon Rising and its noirish qualities. In English, not subtitled. (34 min, 1080p).

• Thief in the Night: Interview with Producer Douglas Curtis - in this video interview, producer Douglas Curtis explains how he acquired the rights to Black Moon Rising from John Carpenter and discusses its production history. There are some particularly interesting comments about the casting of Tommy Lee Jones as well as the film's LA noir qualities. In English, not subtitled. (15 min, 1080p).

• Sound of Speed: Interview with Lalo Schifrin - in this video program, composer Lalo Schifrin explains how he conceived the soundtrack for Black Moon Rising and discusses the qualities that he wanted to introduce to the film through the music. Film music historian Daniel Schweiger also discusses the composer's career and the evolution of his style, as well as the 'futuristic sound of the soundtrack he created for Black Moon Rising. In English, not subtitled. (8 min, 1080p).

• Carpenter's Craft - presented here is a new video essay by author and critic Troy Howarth that focuses on John Carpenter's career and diverse body of work. There is specific information about the production of Black Moon Rising as well. In English, not subtitled. (18 min, 1080p).

• Making Black Moon Rising - this archival featurette takes a closer look at the production of Black Moon Rising. It features clips from interviews with director Harley Cokeliss and cast members, as well as raw footage from the shooting of the film. In English, not subtitled. (12 min, 1080p).

• Alternate Footage - presented here are selected scenes from the Hong Kong theatrical version of Black Moon Rising with a different score and SFX. In English, not subtitled. (13 min, 1080p).

• Radio Spot - a vintage radio spot for Black Moon Rising. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Cover Art - reversible cover vintage poster art.

• Trailer Reel - a collection of trailers for other Kino Lorber releases.

• Commentary - in this new audio commentary, Lee Gambin, author of Hell Hath No Fury Like Her: The Making of Christine, discusses in great detail the production of Black Moon Rising, its style and noirish vibe, the John Carpenter connection, the New World Pictures company, etc.

Black Moon Rising Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Apparently, there is plenty that was altered or removed from the original story that John Carpenter sold to the creators of Black Moon Rising, but I think that the film has some interesting qualities that knowledgeable fans will quite easily trace back to him. It is a futuristic LA noir thriller that is loaded with retro goodies -- the concept car is pretty neat, but Lalo Schifrin's score is pure class -- that are guaranteed to warm up the hearts of folks that feel nostalgic for the '80s. Kino Lorber's new release is sourced from a decent 2K remaster, and has a solid selection of new and vintage supplemental features that explore the production history of the film. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.