Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Howard the Duck Blu-ray Movie Review

Quack, Quack, Flop Flop.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 10, 2016

When Howard the Duck released in 1986, there weren't many bigger, or more revered, names in Hollywood than George Lucas, the man behind the Star Wars phenomena and a certain box office revenue generator. While he didn't direct Howard, his name attached as a producer carried a lot of weight and helped generate some excitement and momentum around the film. Then the reviews began to pour in. Howard the Duck, the live-action adaptation of the Marvel comic series, flopped with critics. Hard. It also didn't sit well with audiences, either. The film barely recouped its budget but has gone on to carve out an interesting niche in the annals of recent cinema history, remembered as a bonafide disaster but also, and almost fondly, as a must-see curiosity. The film hasn't gotten better with age, but reaction to it certainly has. The movie is abysmal, but it's charming at the same time, an example of bad storytelling and filmmaking softened by the glow of nostalgia goodhearted jabs in the cult-favorite arena where bad movies go to find a second chance not at redemption, but at accomplishing what most every movie sets out to achieve: satisfy its audience, one way or another.

The Odd Couple.

Howard (voiced by Chip Zien) is an average Duck on his world. He loves to relax in his favorite easy chair with a cold beer and a dirty magazine. One otherwise normal evening, he and his chair are yanked from his apartment, pulled through walls, the sky, and the very universe as he's transported to a far away land. He finds himself facing off against creatures much bigger than he. Turns out he's crash-landed in Cleveland, Ohio, a city on a planet he comes to know as "Earth" after meeting the only person who shows him any kindness, a struggling Rock singer named Beverly (Lea Thompson). Howard does what he can to make it in Cleveland. He briefly works as a janitor but finds real purpose and happiness in helping out Beverly and her band. Things take a turn for the surreal, however, when Howard and Beverly are approached by Dr. Walter Jenning (Jeffrey Jones) who claims to be the man behind the duck's arrival on Earth, but an evil power lurks that only Howard can stop.

Maligned though it may be and struggling to present much in the way of redeeming value, Howard the Duck really cannot be labeled amongst the worst of the worst. If one is to only compare it to mainstream cinema, sure, it might be down there in the bottom five or ten percent, but the movie soars past some of the real dreck that's out there, if only for its competent technical assemblage. That said, the movie's technical positives cannot even come close to covering up its flaws. Never mind that there's a real creepy vibe about the main character; one could argue part of the movie's nostalgic charm comes thanks to that suit, which reportedly cost $2,000,000 to make, but its inorganic, clumsy, and there's just something about the eyes. No, Howard himself isn't really the problem. The problem is that the movie fails to produce a compelling plot or find any sort of agreeable rhythm. The story is a mix-and-mash-up that's crude and poorly pieced together, whether in character establishment moments (the only ones that really work come right at the beginning before Howard is transported to Earth) or piecemeal scenes that are either under-developed or overplayed. Character relationships don't develop believably, particularly between Howard and Beverly, and the final battle is the ultimate letdown to a bad movie, feeling cheap in terms of resolution, set construction, shooting, and editing.

The script certainly doesn't help matters, either. It facilitates the movie's bumpy path to resolution though a collection of awkward scenes that often fail to enhance the characters or the broader story arc, which is very flat to begin with. Performances, too, often fail to connect. Lea Thompson tries her hardest to connect with Howard, but her empty character and the meandering plot never allow for much growth beyond an awkward and uncomfortable kinda-sorta love scene that they share. Tim Robbins, in an early career performance, does the goofy side character well enough, while Jeffrey Jones fails to find either the humor or the horror in his transformative character. The movie's best moments come by way of little one-off gags that populate the film's first few minutes, primarily, such as the reworked movie posters on Howard's wall, various movie and television lines reworked for the movie, his egg-shaped planet, and the duck-designed credit cards and cash Beverly finds in his wallet. These are positive support pieces that engender charm and help establish Howard as a character who may not be human but who understands human culture very well because his world is practically identical, just in a Twilight Zone sort of way where man has been replaced by duck and duck puns.

Howard the Duck Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Howard the Duck's 1080p transfer offers a nice step forward from the old DVD. Universal's presentation enjoys a light, even grain structure that accentuates the film's cinematic characteristics. Grain only spikes on the rare occasion. Details are rock-solid, for the most part. While human faces are curiously flat and processed, general film detail impresses. Howard's fur, clutter around Beverly's apartment or back alleys, and even texturing on cheaper set pieces and props (particularly during the final confrontation) are nicely revealing and sharp. Color balance is good. Beverly's red jacket and umbrella are highlights, particularly against some of the darker early film backdrops, but brighter daytime exteriors and a well-lit diner, for instance, help ensure a neutral and pleasing palette. Black levels are satisfyingly deep. Flesh tones sometimes struggle, favoring a red-tinted push. Minor wear and tear is evident, but is never intrusive. Compression anomalies are not particularly problematic. Fans should be very pleased with what is an imperfect presentation, but that certainly represents the best the movie has ever looked for home viewing, and by a wide margin.

Howard the Duck Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Howard the Duck sports an impressively balanced and oftentimes exciting DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The movie's sound design offers plenty of opportunity for involved and detailed movement. Howard's journey through his apartment features loads of heavy zipping and swooping about the soundstage. Surrounds are fully engaged and while the low end doesn't rumble, there's a nice support structure to enjoy. Additional action scenes are never shy about engaging the entire stage, whether a major chase scene in an Ultralight plane or during the movie's chaotic, monstrous climax. Rock music is nicely aggressive with a naturally sharp edge to instrumentals and fine vocal definition. Score is likewise a highlight, presenting with plenty of space along the front and pleasing clarity. Background ambience impresses when called upon, an example coming partway through the movie when Howard, Beverly, and Dr. Jenning meet in a diner; light background music and other supportive environmental details work together to create a believable atmosphere, and the action that follows enjoys sustained aggression and stage saturation. Dialogue delivery is clear and detailed with no prioritization problems. As with the video, this is an impressive presentation and easily a big step forward from the film's previous home video releases.

Howard the Duck Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Howard the Duck contains a handful of old extras. No top menu is included. All extras must be accessed in-film from the pop-up menu.

• A Look Back at Howard the Duck (480i, 26:20): A look back at film origins, different ideas for the film, movie structure, casting and performances, music, the decision to shoot live action rather than craft an animated film, building and performing Howard, building "Duckworld," visual effects, the diner and Ultralight sequences, and crafting the movie's action and music finales.
• Releasing the Duck (480i, 12:52): Voice casting Howard, sound effects, Cherry Bomb music, score, audience and critical reaction to the movie, cast and crew work after the movie, and the movie's legacy.
• Archival Featurettes (480i): A collection of four vintage extras.
• News Featurette (1:47): Cast and crew supposedly make a movie because Howard requested they do so.
• The Stunts of Howard the Duck (2:43): Making the Ultralight plane sequence.
• The Special Effects of Howard the Duck (3:10): A quick look at Industrial Light and Magic's contributions to the film, including Howard's trip between planets and effects surrounding Jeffrey Jones' character transformation.
• The Music of Howard the Duck (3:07): Making the movie's theme song with Thomas Dolby.
• Teaser Trailers (480i, 2:30): A pair of teaser trailers.

Howard the Duck Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Howard the Duck is worth watching if only for its pop culture stature as one of the most beloved and widely known of all the bad movies. It's not at all entertaining in the traditional sense, even when trying to view it from the perspective of the movie's tongue planted firmly in its own cheek, but it's a good party movie that should elicit some laughter, intentional or otherwise. Universal's Blu-ray delivers a good all-around home video experience, yielding satisfying 1080p video and lossless audio. Extras are comprised of a collection of vintage features. Recommended, because no home video library is complete without Howard the Duck.