Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Hardware Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 5, 2018

Richard Stanley's "Hardware" (1990) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Ronin Flix. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive new video interview with Richard Stanley; archival interview with Iggy Pop; short films; vintage making of featurette; audio commentary; promotional materials; and a lot more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The zone tripper

The world has been devastated by a nuclear war. A scrap metal hunter (Carl McCoy, The 13th Sign) wandering The Zone -- a radioactive area sealed off by the military -- uncovers the head and hand of a sophisticated robot. He picks them up and heads to a local dealer where he plans to sell them.

There, he encounters Moses (Dylan McDermott, Where Sleeping Dogs Lie), another scrap metal hunter, who is on his way home. Moses likes the robot parts and buys the head for his part-time girlfriend Jill (Stacey Travis), a high-tech junkie living alone. The hand remains with the dealer.

Moses meets Jill. The two make love and then talk about their lives. The dealer phones Moses and tells him that he needs to see him immediately. Moses isn’t willing to leave Jill yet and asks that they meet some other time. The dealer explains to Moses that it is very important that they meet as soon as possible; he has discovered something very unusual. Slightly annoyed, Moses grabs his jacket and leaves.

Meanwhile, Jill repaints the robot head. She likes how it looks and promptly places it next to her other scrap metal toys. Then, she heads back to the bedroom. She is unaware, however, that one of her neighbors, Lincoln (William Hootkins, Batman), is spying on her. He is a pervert who likes to masturbate while watching Jill walk around her apartment.

Moses arrives at the dealer’s place where he uncovers his dead body. While looking around, he hears a taped message from the dealer where he talks about the hand he bought from the scrap metal hunter -- it is from an advanced killer robot, known as M.A.R.K. 13, capable of repairing and regenerating itself. Moses heads back to Jill’s place where M.A.R.K 13 has already repaired and reactivated itself.

Hardware was filmed at a time when there was a certain type of fascination with post-apocalyptic and gloomy-looking industrial worlds where highly sophisticated machines and vile alien monsters clashed with good looking and muscular male protagonists. The big studios financed and had success with films such as Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982), as well as John McTiernan’s Predator (1987), which left the audiences hungry for more. This gave confidence to smaller film producers to experiment with all sorts of different projects that weren’t necessarily going to make it to the big screen. Some ended up being quite good (Leviathan and Split Second), others not so much (Nemesis).

Hardware is based on an original story entitled “Shock!” by Steve MacManus and Kevin O’Neill that appeared in Fleetway Comics’ “2000AD”. Its director, Richard Stanley, who prior to Hardware had produced only three shorts, mixed a number of different genres that spurred plenty of confusion amongst critics, censors and film buffs (there is a good reason why the censoring of the explicit sex footage has a long and well publicized history). As a result, Hardware was immediately tagged B-film, one that eventually became cult precisely because critics and casual viewers never fully figured it out.

Nowadays, Hardware looks somewhat weak but unique. There is a certain type of atmosphere in it that is absolutely impossible not to admire. Furthermore, there is so much excess -- shock rockers GWAR, Iggy Pop, Ministry and Carl McCoy from Fields of the Nephilim contributed to it for a reason -- that even arthouse aficionados tend to enjoy it. Obviously, given the enormous advancements in CGI, some would likely claim that the film looks dated, even amateurish, but I disagree. I think that in a way Hardware is like a Terry Gilliam film -- it is so bizarre and outrageous, you just cannot loathe it.

Hardware Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-AVC and granted 1080p transfer, Richard Stanley's Hardware arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Ronin Flix.

The release is sourced from a magnificent new 4K remaster and there are some pretty drastic improvements in terms of density and fluidity that finally provide the film with a very solid organic appearance. The better density, coupled with more convincing shadow definition, makes very large parts of the darker footage convey stronger detail, and in some cases there are actually nuances that are lost on the Region-B release of the film. Grain is finer, far better exposed and tighter, as it should be after a proper 4K makeover. The light sharpening from the previous release is gone. Furthermore, the color grading is very convincing. Overall saturation is stronger and there are expanded, healthier nuances. Predictably, if projected the film looks absolutely stunning (see screencaptures #2, 3, 12). There are no stability issues. Lastly, scratches, flecks, debris, cuts, and all other age-related imperfections are eliminated. Superb 4K remaster and a great technical presentation from Ronin Flix. (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).

Hardware Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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

I prefer the original 2.0 track, but you should know that the 5.1 track that was created some years ago is anything but a gimmick. There is some rather unique action footage where the 5.1 track quite effectively expands separation and adds to the dynamic intensity. Also, the 2.0 track does appear to be slightly more compact, so I would say that it is at least a step above the lossless track that was included on the Region-B release. Kudos to Ronin Flix for including optional English SDH subtitles.

Hardware Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• Audio Commentary - in this vintage audio commentary, director Richard Stanley discusses in great detail how Hardware was conceived and how the project evolved, where various sequences were shot (Wales, London, and Morocco), the need to alter the color gamut while creating the post-apocalyptic environment, Miramax's involvement with the film's distribution and some of the changes that were made because of it, Simon Boswell's cult soundtrack, some of the interesting cameos (Lemmy Kilmister), etc. The commentary is moderated by Paul Trijbits.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes - the footage comes from Richard Stanley's personal archive, and all of the scenes are in fact sourced from old VHS tapes. In English, not subtitled. (26 min, 1080p).

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• Interview with Writer/Director Richard Stanley - in this new video interview, writer/director Richard Stanley recalls how Hardware (and Dust Devil) came to exist, and discusses the initial designs and maquettes for M.A.R.K. 13, the original hand-drawn storyboards for the film, some of the 'professional' criticism that was unleashed on the film (with great comments about Vincent Canby's opinion), the improvisation of the dirty dialog/monologue, Lemmy Kilmister's contribution to the film, the theatrical distribution of the film after Miramax's arrival, etc. The interview was conducted exclusively for Ronin Flix. In English, not subtitled. (40 min, 1080p).

• Interview with Iggy Pop - in this archival video interview, Iggy Pop talks about his involvement with Hardware and recalls his initial reaction after viewing the complete film. There are also some very good comments about his interaction with Sam Raimi. In English, not subtitled. (7 min, 480/60i).

• No Flesh Shall Be Spared: The Making of Hardware - this vintage documentary focuses on the conception of Hardware and its rather fascinating production history, as well as the emergence of Richard Stanley's cinematic style while transitioning from 8mm films and music videos to bigger projects. Included in it are clips from archival interviews with Richard Stanley and various collaborators. The documentary was produced by Severin Films. In English, not subtitled. (54 min, 1080p).

• Incidents in an Expanding Universe - Early Super 8 Version of Hardware - this very early version of Hardware is presented in 1.33:1 ratio and in standard definition. In English, not subtitled. (45 min, 480/60i).

• Richard Stanley on Hardware 2 - in this archival interview, Richard Stanley explains why the initially planned Hardware 2 never materialized. Also included are some very interesting observations about key elements from the narrative of the first film. In English, not subtitled. (8 min, 1080p).

• Rites of Passage (1983) - Richard Stanley's very first short film, Rates of Passages, is presented here in standard definition. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 480/60i).

• The Sea of Perdition (2006) - a more recent short film from Richard Stanley about a cosmonaut that appears to have been abandoned on Mars. In English, not subtitled. (9 min, 1080i).

• Hardware Promo Videos - gathered here are vintage promotional videos for Hardware with Lemmy Kilmister and Iggy Pop. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 480/60i).

• Additional Hardware Promo Videos - presented here are additional vintage promotional videos for Hardware from the VHS era. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 480/60i).

• Theatrical Trailer - original theatrical trailer for Hardware cut by Miramax. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 480/60i).

• Still Gallery - a large collection of production stills and vintage promotional materials for Hardware. (3 min, 1080p).

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Cover - reversible sleeve with original theatrical poster art.

• Collectible Magnet - a miniature replica of the original theatrical poster art.

Hardware Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ronin Flix's first Blu-ray release, Hardware, is a magnificent home run. Richard Stanley's cult film has been beautifully remastered in 4K, the technical presentation is outstanding, and the label has included an entire second disc of exclusive new and vintage bonus features. The release is truly an incredible gift for fans of the film, and I assume also director Stanley because I don't believe he has seen it look this good since its theatrical release. How do we convince Ronin Flix to also produce a definitive home video release of Tony Maylam's Split Second? VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.