5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Man has finally conquered the ocean. America's first self-contained undersea laboratory is the pride of the nation, and expectations are high for an elaborate undersea mining operation. What wasn't expected was the inhabitants of an undiscovered world.
Starring: Bradford Dillman, Priscilla Barnes, Daryl Haney, Mel Ryane, Eb LottimerThriller | Insignificant |
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)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
1989 was an incredible year for filmgoing, but it was also a strange year for releases. Suddenly, various producers and studios wanted to participate in a type of gold rush, with tales of horror and mystery involving an underwater setting all the rage. This wasn’t a usual situation of competing productions (e.g. an “Antz” vs. “A Bug’s Life” showdown), but a semi-quarterly event for movie theaters and video stores. The big one was James Cameron’s masterful “The Abyss,” which had a major budget and full studio support, gunning to be one of the major triumphs of a highly competitive summer. However, other efforts emerged, trying to capture the same audience, with “Deep Star Six,” “Leviathan,” and “The Evil Below” all attempting to bring the dangers of deep water to viewers perhaps slightly confused as to why there was suddenly a stampede of aquatic endeavors demanding their attention. Never one to leave a dime behind, producer Roger Corman wanted in on the trend, offering “Lords of the Deep” to the masses. Corman being Corman, little money has been spent on the feature, which boasts the talents of people involved with “Aliens” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” to deliver special effects, coming up with a small-scale understanding of an alien visitation, mixed with a little corporate menace. “Lords of the Deep” is very silly, but director Mary Ann Fisher (this being her sole helming credit) at least tries to do something with what little she has to work with, trying to summon suspense with minor moments of alarm, gradually building to a sci-fi payoff that’s hilariously short on epic qualities.
"Lords of the Deep" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, sourced from a "new 2K scan of the original negative." Detail is strong, with a sense of skin particulars, examining tight close-ups on the actors, while alien textures are also present, exploring puppet creations. Interiors in the lab preserve low-budget design achievements, examining this plywood creation and its many decorative additions. Special effects are open for inspection, exploring the deep with miniatures. Colors are alert, with full primaries on technological additions in the lab, and the Epcot-like uniforms retain a deep blue and pink appearance. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is film-like. Source is in good shape, with some mild wobble.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix fights the inherent limitations of the production and some elements of age. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible, with some sibilance issues found along the way. Scoring cues are decent, with passable clarity and support. Sound effects and atmospherics are a little flawed at times, sounding a tad distorted.
"Lords of the Deep" isn't "The Abyss," though it shares a few concepts with the Cameron film, emerging as a gentler eco-minded offering in the end, trying to say something about planetary ruination. However, there isn't enough money to support a vivid underwater adventure, with Corman aiming to keep things affordable and simple when the screenplay hopes to blow minds with its study of alien contact. "Lords of the Deep" has a terrific title, but there's little else here that lives up to expectations, with the quickie production basically out to catch a ride on a trend, keeping production goals limited, while awe is more of a suggestion than a demand.
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