5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A deadly virus attacks the crew of a Saturn space station.
Starring: Marc Singer (I), Laura Mae Tate, Bryan Cranston, Judith Chapman, Frank RomanHorror | 100% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Roger Corman is known for recycling anything he can to keep producing genre entertainment for a cult audience, and he does it again with 1991’s “Dead Space,” which is a remake of 1982’s “Forbidden World.” Characters have been slightly reworked, but the plots are basically the same, following a man of action as he goes up against a mutated monster in the middle of nowhere. Of course, such a setting allows Corman to keep the effort as low budget as possible, tasking director Fred Gallo (“Dracula Rising”) to figure out ways to make tight hallways, labs, and living spaces interesting for 75 minutes of screen time. It’s a challenge Gallo can’t conquer, as most of “Dead Space” is repetitive and silly, but he has a committed lead performance from Marc Singer to help keep the endeavor somewhat palatable, with the actor trying to make extended nothingness look exciting.
"Dead Space" arrives on Blu-ray with an Extended Cut, which is sourced from a 2K scan of the interpositive. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation looks very appealing, with fine and film-like grain and satisfactory delineation, making sense out of the picture's limited lighting and shadow play. Detail is good, exploring skin surfaces and set design, surveying limited spaces. Monster textures also stand out. Color is distinct, with blue favored heavily in mood lighting. Crisp whites on lab coats are noted, and adventures outdoors retain decent desertscape hues. Source is in shape, without elements of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix deals with age and production limitations, and while dialogue exchanges are intelligible, they do encounter very mild volume fluctuations. Scoring retains a sharp synth sound, with occasional piano breaks. Sound effects are appreciable without slipping into chaos, including monster attacks and gunfire.
"Dead Space" delivers some gore and makes time for nudity, keeping up with Corman standards, but the bulk of the viewing experience involves watching actors try to sell some level of screen tension when nothing is actually happening. This is also the Corman way. "Deep Space" doesn't build on "Forbidden World," merely trying to keep up with the original picture while working with less money and creativity. There's Singer, who's straining to turn every scene into a hero moment, but he's giving his all to the work, which is welcome, as the rest of the endeavor doesn't share the same dedication to conjuring excitement, often sticking with dull routine.
Mutant / Roger Corman's Cult Classics
1982
1957
1964-1965
Mind Ripper / The Outpost
1995
Collector's Edition
1978
1964
1986
1979
2019
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1959
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1995
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