Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Dark Angel 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 14, 2024

Dolph Lundgren has battled Rocky Balboa and Skeletor, but can he defeat an alien visiting Earth out to collect human bodily fluid to sell on his home planet? 1990’s “Dark Angel” (released in the U.S. as “I Come in Peace”) picks up where the 1980s left off, bringing the dangers of drug dealers into the sci-fi realm, with Lundgren fitted for a Schwarzenegger role, complete with big guns and one-liners. Director Craig R. Baxley (“Stone Cold”) is tasked with waking up a strange serial killer-esque story, and he turns to fire to do so, filling the actioner with enough explosions to make the feature feel like a 1976 KISS concert at times. “Dark Angel” is wet with cliché, and the material doesn’t do enough with its central idea of E.T. becoming Scarface, but the blow-em-up attitude of the endeavor is intermittently exciting, keeping things somewhat lively for the B-movie production.

Talec (Matthias Hues) is an alien who’s come to Earth to harvest a special drug created with human endorphins. He lands in Houston, taking lives and draining heads, using heroin lifted from a drug bust to help extract his bodily treasure. Detective Jack (Dolph Lundgren) was responsible for the lost heroin, losing his partner to a local gangster, vowing revenge. Instead of going alone, Jack is forced to team up with F.B.I. Agent Smith (Brian Benben), a by-the-book type who tries to keep the rogue cop focused on the case ahead of them. Soon enough, the men realize that something else is in play, learning more about Talec’s mission, while Jack also deals with Diane (Betsy Brantley), his coroner girlfriend, who demands his attention.

Talec is a formidable foe, emerging from the shadows on a mission to take out enough victims to fill his supply needs (trying to pacify any terror by exclaiming “I come in peace”). The extraction sequences are interesting, watching the hulking killer work with alien technology and blunt-force trauma to turn human prey into liquid gold. Talec isn’t big on words, and the screenplay (co-written by David Koepp, using a pseudonym) tries to keep the threat going throughout the feature, but alien horrors are only one side of the endeavor. Jack is also trying to nail human pushers, especially after a gangster elected to kill his undercover partner, creating an investigative subplot for “Dark Angel,” following the detective as he seeks revenge, soon paired with Smith, setting up another screen activity for the effort: the buddy cop movie.

Jack goes on pure instinct, sniffing out trouble and taking care of criminal garbage. Smith is all about procedure and training, which rubs Jack the wrong way. It’s not exactly a stunning display of opposites, but “Dark Angel” has game actors in Benben and Lundgren, who try to make a little magic happen between them. The addition of Diane is unnecessary, and she’s written as something of an oddball, which takes more time to process than the film is willing to allow. “Dark Angel” finds balance in the discovery of alien activity, watching Jack and Smith slowly realize fantasy is real, and they have to deal with a killer armed with deadly weapons (including a CD-like projectile that slices into targets) and highly motivated to murder many Earthlings.

For additional analysis and information, please read Jeffrey Kauffman's 2013 Blu-ray review.

Dark Angel 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Dark Angel" was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2013. It returns with a UHD release, listed as a "new 4K scan from the original camera negative." The Dolby Vision viewing experience is at its best with color, capturing intense blue and red lighting, with periodic offerings of hot neon. Primaries are distinct, exploring period style and costuming. Night activities carry a cooler look with deep blacks, preserving frame information. Odd visuals, such as the whiteness of drug injections and rainbow reflection on disc weaponry, are preserved. Skin tones are natural. Highlights are largely tasteful, with explosions delivering orangey brightness. Detail is generally maintained throughout the viewing experience, which does battle with technical limitations on the low-budget movie. Skin particulars are satisfactory, and clothing choices retain texture on both human and alien gear. Tours of offices, clubs, and living spaces retain depth, and street confrontations are dimensional. Grain is adequately resolved.

Dark Angel 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix isn't exactly a powerhouse listening experience for an action film, but dialogue exchanges are mostly secure, protecting emotionality and whispered lines. More heated encounters remain balanced. Scoring carries along with clear synth support, but mostly remains frontal. The track itself seems slightly subdued, which may be an inherent issue, finding explosions limited in intensity, with a duller low-end presence at times. Sound effects register as intended.

Dark Angel 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Go in Pieces" (32:40, HD) is a making-of for "Dark Angel," featuring video conference interviews with editor Mark Helfrich, actor Brian Benben, special makeup effects artist Gabe Bartalos, and cinematographer Mark Irwin. The shoot took place in Houston, and Irwin encountered a lot of low-light demands, requiring the use of a special European film stock to bring out frame details. Casting is celebrated, with director Craig R. Baxley initially imagining star Dolph Lundgren as the villain, only to meet the actor, who had other ideas. Special effects are analyzed, spotlighting work on the alien discs and explosive stunt elements, with the production team pushing to make the endeavor more exciting. Car chases are also deconstructed, with Baxley seasoned in the ways of destroying automobiles, handling technical challenges. Physical demands are recalled, as Benben was recruited to do his own stunts, putting his faith in the Baxley family of action professionals. The conversation closes with a discussion of the title, as too many variations on "Dark Angel" inspired a U.S.-only change to "I Come in Peace," which Helfrich prefers.

• Making Of (24:19, HD) is an older (around 2013?) overview of the "Dark Angel" shoot, featuring interviews with director Craig R. Baxley, and actors Brian Benben and Dolph Lundgren. Baxley opens with creative demands, finding producers expecting him to make a big film on a small budget, giving the helmer a challenge he happily accepted. Casting is highlighted, with the sheer physical presence of Lundgren noted, including an accident where his boot connected with a stuntman during a spin kick. Benben's contributions are noted as well, working with lifts and wit to remain in the frame with Lundgren. Matthias Hues offered his own level of stunt capability, handling major movements around pyrotechnics. An appreciation for special effects is offered, with Baxley trying to do plenty with little money, going for more visceral action.

• Image Gallery (4:07) collects publicity shots, film stills, lobby cards, and poster art.

• Alternate Main Title Sequence (6:53, HD) offers the "I Come in Peace" opening.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:43, HD) for "Dark Angel" is included.

Dark Angel 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Baxley's job is to keep "Dark Angel" rolling along, and he does so, putting in as much stunt work as the picture's limited budget allows. There are foot and car chases to adrenalize the viewing experience, and the aforementioned explosions are everywhere here. Action offerings are welcome while the writing struggles to merge characterization and elements of pursuit, as the film feels a little unfocused at times. It's still an amusing ride with alien threats and Lundgren in screen hero mode, but "Dark Angel" often plays like a movie that could be amazing with more money to spend and less distractions for the lead character.