4.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.1 | |
Reviewer | 1.0 | |
Overall | 2.1 |
The California coast is terrorized by two enormous prehistoric sea creatures as they battle each other for supremacy of the sea.
Starring: Debbie Gibson, Lorenzo Lamas, Vic Chao, Jonathan Nation, Michael TehHorror | 100% |
Action | 39% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 0.5 | |
Video | 2.0 | |
Audio | 1.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 1.0 |
Two prehistorical creatures suddenly and mysteriously unleashed upon the world.
There may be a few movies out there -- both of the SyFy/Asylum and the bigger mainstream varieties -- that are absolutely, undeniably worse than Mega
Shark
vs. Giant Octopus, but this low-rent Monster movie certainly gives
them company at the very bottom of the cinematic trash heap. Here's a movie -- despite its fan-pleasing title -- that's nothing less than garbage
cinema, a
movie so repulsive and mind-numblingly awful that it can't even approach the corny/laughable/so-bad-its-good level of filmdom. No, this one is the
definition of a clunker,
a cheap production of enormous lethargy and terrible craftsmanship. It's a movie with an almost negative pace, atrocious acting, sloppy direction,
and unbelievably bad
special effects, all of these classic SyFy/Asylum traits. Yet somehow this one manages not a shred of charm, not even a hint of something better.
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus might be appeal to audiences based only on its goofy title, but beyond that there's nothing -- nothing
--
of value here, unless someone, somewhere, values sheer sadistic cinematic awfulness, almost pure visual torture, above all else.
Yes, they are in fact in the movie.
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus sometimes passes itself off as an acceptable high definition transfer, but generally there's something amiss up on the screen. Of course the film was shot digitally; the end result is a flat, lifeless picture, its very source not helping mediocre detailing and poor colors. Indeed, fine detail is hit and, mostly, miss. Facial texture are sometimes adequate, bright scenes yield decent clarity on Navy ship bulkheads, and heavier clothes sport a few distinct textures, but generally there's little to this one. Colors are drab and lifeless, washed out and never vibrant. Unfortunately, the image is plagued by a host of technical issues. Banding and blocking -- both underwater and above -- are frequent. Darker scenes are plagued by noise. Jagged edges and edge halos aren't commonplace, but are seen sporadically. The image sometimes goes a bit soft. The second half of the movie often features a steady line of noise running across the bottom of the frame. It's not an epic disaster of a transfer, but it's certainly sloppy and it's clear the film has been released to Blu-ray with no care for the end result.
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus features a terrible DTS-HD MA 2.0 lossless soundtrack. Occasionally, the track delivers adequate clarity and range, but such occurrences are the exception to the rule. Dialogue presentation is, to be kind, atrocious. It can sound shallow, muddled, detached, or any combination thereof. It's sometimes lost under heavier effects. Deborah Gibson once even sounds as if she's underwater and speaks with a terrible lisp. Just as disheartening is that dialogue is terribly unbalanced, seeming to come from the sides rather than the center of the soundstage. Music clarity is lacking, but acceptable at the end of the day considering how awful the dialogue sounds. Bass is rather sloppy, but blasts from heavy naval guns do enjoy a decent presence. This disc has some of the worst dialogue ever to make it to a Blu-ray, and considering that's the most critical element, the track may labeled as a disaster.
This Blu-ray release of Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus contains no special features.
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus sets the standard for menacing adjective-animal noun modern day cheap "vs." monster movie titles. Sadly the title is all this one has going for it. Few movies are as atrociously paced and uninteresting as this. Awful special effects, bad styling, lousy acting, and too little time with the title characters adds up to a disaster of a movie that will challenge even the most stalwart fan of low-budget cinema garbage to make it through without a break or ten. Echo Bridge's Blu-ray release features highly problematic video, awful audio, and no supplements of any kind. Stay far away from this one.
2008
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Collector's Edition
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Slipcover in Original Pressing
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Collector's Edition
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Monster Shark / Shark: Rosso nell'oceano
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