4.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
A young boy in the woods discovers a lovable alien...or is it?
Starring: Ian Sera, Emilio Linder, Concha Cuetos, Manuel Pereiro, Frank BrañaForeign | 100% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 CD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Those of you who keep up on imminent high definition and/or UHD releases of beloved classics may know that Invaders from Mars is due quite soon on both 1080 and 2160 discs (an autographed special limited edition has evidently already been released), but for those who can't wait and want to watch a film involving a little boy looking out of a bedroom window to witness something going bump in the night, the patently bizarre Extra Terrestrial Visitors might suffice, at least for those already attuned to certain gonzo Eurocult sensibilities. There's perhaps a bit of added comedic subtext offered courtesy of a rather interesting "pet name" the little boy bestows on an alien.
Extra Terrestrial Visitors is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. The back cover of this release states this features "a 4K scan from the 35mm negative", and as with Severin's day and date release of another little remembered cult "classic" with some sci-fi appeal also granted a 4K scan from an OCN, Alien from the Abyss, the results are quite nice looking. This feature doesn't offer quite the same level of sharpness that Alien from the Abyss does, but part of that is baked in due to a prevalence of misty environments, many of which are slathered in deep blue grading (see screenshot 9). There is just a hint of macroblocking and slight posterization in some of these forested scenes, but otherwise compression offers a really secure viewing experience. The palette is really nicely vibrant, and primaries in particular pop extremely well. Grain is generally tightly resolved, but it and clarity and vary noticeably during some of the old school composited effects.
Extra Terrestrial Visitors features English and Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono options. There's not a huge difference between these two tracks, though I'd probably give a slight edge to the Spanish language track in terms of midrange and low end vibrancy, but this is a decidedly incremental difference. Both tracks offer a fluid listening experience, though both do have a bit of background hiss evident. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
I mentioned in my Alien from the Abyss Blu-ray review how that release might be alluring more due to its supplements than the actual feature. That may well be the case again with regard to this release, even if this release doesn't have the son of the filmmaker providing a glut of supplements. Technical merits are generally solid and even without the involvement of a family member the supplements are very enjoyable, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.
2K Restoration
1980
Collector's Edition
1988
1979
1988
2014
La región salvaje
2016
2018
Unrated Theatrical and Rated Versions
2013
1991
[•REC]⁴: Apocalypse / [•REC]⁴: Apocalipsis
2014
1972
2019
2016
2015
The Woods
2015
2015
2015
2014
2014
1980