Creature Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Creature Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 26, 2021

Writer/director William Malone was ordered to create a knock-off of “Alien” with 1985’s “Creature,” and that’s exactly what he delivers with the horror picture. However, he’s not permitted a sizable budget, going the Roger Corman route of tight spaces and limited locations with the endeavor. Malone doesn’t have the resources to generate something extraordinary, but he manages to manufacture a reasonably compelling monster movie with “Creature,” which provides impressive set design and performances for such a small-scale production.

Instead of being mysterious with its central figure of horror, Malone basically keeps the alien menace in “Creature” out in the open, electing to reveal the threat early to best support the story, which concerns the actions of a research crew traveling to Titan to explore potential trouble. “Creature” focuses on character interactions and rising tension, only getting gory with the alien during select moments of violence. The rest of the picture remains with the humans, giving the actors room to explore personalities, interact with one another, and roam around spaceship and Titan areas. While money isn’t there, the production finds ways to keep the feature visually interesting, offer an impressive feel for sci-fi exploration.

There are two versions of “Creature” included on this Blu-ray: the Theatrical Cut (94:53) and the “Titan Fall” Cut (110:53).

Creature Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.40:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative. Clarity is strong throughout, delivering wonderful detail with ship interiors, capturing the textures of the low-budget production. Skin surfaces are sharp, along with monster particulars and makeup achievements. Colors are excellent, preserving the silvery blue look of Titan exploration, and brighter, whiter ship interiors are distinct. Computer buttons and monitor displays offer livelier hues, and skintones are natural. Delineation is excellent, with frame information protected. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Creature Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a wider sense of scoring cues, which remain clear, with distinct instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges are equally defined, capturing conversations and moments of panic. Sound effects offer heft with alien attacks and general horrors. Ship and moon atmospherics are appreciable.

Creature Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features The Hysteria Continues.

• "Finding Titan" (21:21, HD) is an interview package with miniature artist Doug Beswick and actors Diane Louise Salinger, Stan Ivar, Lyman Ward, and Marie Laurin. Personal background information is initially shared, with early ambition turning into auditions for the hungry talent, eventually landing work on "Creature." Cast camaraderie is highlighted, with the gang sharing a love of laughter and a fondness for genre entertainment, also communicating a slight fear of co-star Klaus Kinski, who brought his oddball antics and intense focus to the set. Making the movie in a warehouse in the middle of summer, heat was an issue for the ensemble, who provide memories of the wardrobe and nudity requirements. Creature effects are analyzed, along other special effects and set designs. Respect is paid to director William Malone, and the production's title change is recalled, going from "Titan Find" to "Creature."

• "Space on a Budget" (16:28, HD) is an interview with director William Malone, who worked his way up through short films and the success of his debut feature, "Scared to Death." Coming to the pitch of "Creature" with a story and a poster design, Malone got the job, beginning the writing process with ambition to do something with very little money in the budget. Roger Corman graduates helped with crew demands, and casting is celebrated, as Malone is quite fond of his ensemble, though he leaves out any Klaus Kinski stories. Special effects are examined, and the interviewee shares the pressures of the shoot, dealing with long days inside a hot warehouse. Title woes are recalled, along with the theatrical release of "Creature," which had a fan in James Cameron. And Malone identifies post-production has his favorite part of the moviemaking process.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Creature Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Creature" is exactly what it is, trying to make some "Alien"-style magic without triggering interest from the 20th Century Fox legal team. Malone doesn't have a great monster, but he has an excellent, game cast and a picture that looks a lot more expensive than it actually is, giving fans of B- movie escapism a bit more polish and thespian emphasis to enjoy.