Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Lifeforce 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

The question of who really directed 1982’s “Poltergeist” remains an active mystery to this day. Tobe Hooper is the credited helmer, and some cast members have reinforced his leadership role during filming. Other production members have suggested co-writer/producer Steven Spielberg was the true creative guiding force, with Hooper more of an employee than a visionary. Perhaps the truth behind this strange collaboration will never be revealed, but “Poltergeist” was a crackerjack horror picture that employed tremendous style and furious surges of mayhem to help update a traditional haunted house tale. It was also a massive box office hit, giving Hooper a chance to become an in-demand director, with 1985’s “Lifeforce” his follow- up project, and it’s nowhere near the quality of the previous feature. Hooper takes full command of another genre endeavor, joined by co-writer Dan O’Bannon (“Alien”), and while he’s offered a large budget and creative control from Cannon Films (trying to craft their first summer blockbuster), the director just doesn’t get this extremely oddball movie off the ground. “Lifeforce” is an adaptation of a 1976 Colin Wilson novel, challenging the production to deal with the demands of literary storytelling and the potential of a sci-fi extravaganza. The project comes up short in many ways, often so excited to simply present the image of a nude female on the move, it neglects to build a rich sense of menace and intrigue when dealing with the enigmatic plans of space vampires and their attack on Earth.

Lifeforce 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screenshots are collected from the Blu-ray release.

Shout Factory originally released "Lifeforce" on Blu-ray in 2013, highlighting the presentation of a "Director's Cut" which restored the feature to its original vision, or somewhere near that, giving fans a chance to see the movie in a fresher way after an initial 1998 DVD release. Now "Lifeforce" makes its move to UHD, and in a controversial move, only the 1985 Theatrical Cut is offered, listed as a "4K scan of the original camera negative." The largely unpopular version of "Lifeforce" is handed an adequate upgrade, with the Dolby Vision viewing experience providing a richer sense of color with flashy lighting schemes and blue life force energy fields. Reds are deeper, along with blacks, and skintones, which this film is famous for, are natural. Detail is slightly better, doing well with creatures and assorted special effects, and skin surfaces are often exact, capturing fine hair and elements of age. Highlights are decent, with a brighter appreciation of vampire magic and city lighting. Grain is adequately resolved. Again, the Director's Cut is not available on UHD, presented only on Blu-ray.

Lifeforce 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 7.1 Dolby TrueHD mix offers a forceful understanding of scoring selections, which jump at the listener with a secure, wide orchestral sound. Horns are sharp and strings are deep. Dialogue exchanges are clear, handling accents and emphasis well. Sound effects are crisp and on the move, with select panning effects, while surrounds are active with sci-fi chaos and music. Low-end enjoys some explosive moments. Of note is the opening Tri-Star Pictures banner, which has a brief audio issue, and a few lines of dialogue during the main feature carry a slight echo, which may be inherent to the original mix.

Lifeforce 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Theatrical Cut (Blu-ray)

• "Dangerous Beauty" (15:16, HD) is an interview with actress Mathilda May, who charts her early achievements in ballet, making plans to be a professional dancer before acting entered her life. Pushed along by her agent, May was swept up in the "Lifeforce" casting process, only learning about the part's extensive nudity during her audition, which triggered some panic. The interviewee discusses her time with co- stars, and explores the working process of director Tobe Hooper, whom she describes as a "particular character," noting his introverted nature and thick Texan accent. May shares the story of her "blood birth" scene, which required over eight hours of makeup time and took place on her birthday. The cult longevity of "Lifeforce" is noted, along with the fanbase's particular interest in May's nude appearance in the picture.

• "Space Vampires in London" (9:54, HD) is an interview with director Tobe Hooper, who was offered "Lifeforce" by Menahem Golan, handed the original book and an employment opportunity. Hooper notes the ease of working with Cannon Films during their heyday, and his interest in writer Dan O'Bannon, who was busy with "The Return of the Living Dead." Technical achievements are analyzed, with the actors occasionally getting sick in their space suits, and mechanical effects would often slow filming to a crawl. The casting of Mathilda May is explored, as Hooper delt with plenty of actresses who refused to accept the nudity requirements of the part. Describing "Lifeforce" as his chance to create a "70mm Hammer film," Hooper seems pleased with the experience of making the picture, enjoying his time with a sizable budget.

• "Carlsen's Curse" (7:07, HD) is a somewhat scattered interview with actor Steve Railsback, who recalls his early efforts to avoid typecasting as brutal characters after working on 1976's "Helter Skelter." The interviewee discusses his relationship with director Tobe Hooper and his screen kiss with co-star Patrick Stewart, also exploring the "respect" involved with Mathilda May and her on-set nudity. Railsback remains in awe of the production effort, and acknowledges the passionate fanbase for "Lifeforce," keeping the film in circulation after it tanked at the U.S. box office.

• Image Gallery #1 (4:44) collects publicity shots, film stills, and BTS snaps.

• Image Gallery #2 (4:10) collects poster art, newspaper ads, lobby cards, merchandise snaps, early trade paper publicity (promoting the feature's 1981 release year), CD art, and film stills.

• Image Gallery #3 (2:45) collects makeup test photos and BTS snaps.

• T.V. Spot (:31, SD) provides one commercial for "Lifeforce."

• A Teaser Trailer (1:28, HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (2:05, SD) are included.

• Commentary #1 features director Tobe Hooper.

• Commentary #2 features makeup effects designer Nick Maley.

Lifeforce 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Lifeforce" has some strong visuals at times, with the production team creating a vivid understanding of the space vampire wrath, which includes the "drained" bodies of victims and the power of "life force," which is examined throughout the film. It's a striking picture that does well with special effects, and scoring by Henry Mancini helps the cause considerably, giving the feature a defined cinematic sound. Hooper has difficulty with casting, finding star Steve Railsback trying way too hard to communicate encroaching madness, and pacing is often stuck in neutral, with the endeavor initially highlighting the mysteries of alien life and space exploration before it largely remains with dull characters trading stiff dialogue concerning a clunky mystery. There's actress Mathilda May and her extensive nudity, which often dominates any conversation about "Lifeforce," but, in reality, she's barely in the effort, contributing a few scenes of eroticism while Hooper struggles to decide if he wants to frighten viewers or provide some hard R-rated titillation. Whatever big screen sorcery was in play during the making of "Poltergeist" is missing here, with Hooper on his own, unprepared to engineer another skillful chiller.