Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Mindwarp Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 7, 2021

Steve Barnett's "Mindwarp" (1991) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include new audio commentary by critics Tony Timpone and Jarret Gahan; archival footage with Bruce Campbell and Angus Scrimm; and vintage trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

I am convinced that the Wachowski Brothers saw Steve Barnett’s Mindwarp and immediately concluded that with a similar story they can do much better. While viewing Mindwarp, my mind actually kept identifying perfect opportunities for Barnett to go further down the rabbit hole The Matrix legitimized, but it quickly became obvious that he simply did not have the courage to do it. The Matrix works as well as it does because it keeps pushing further and, in the process, introduces brilliant ‘what if’ scenarios which the mind cannot easily dismiss as ludicrous. Its special effects are great, but the actual trick that produces the magic is the ability of the Wachowski Brothers to engage the mind and then force it to seriously ponder these scenarios. Mindwarp offers only a conventional visual experience which a rational mind can instantly reject.

The events in Mindwarp take place in a post-apocalyptic future where two groups of survivors exist in completely different realities. Those from the first group are hooked up to a giant AI machine that can manipulate their minds and perception of reality. Like junkies, they are fed electronic versions of events that make them feel great and keep the horrors of the past somewhere in the distant corners of their minds. Their virtual reality is so perfect that they cross back to the real world only when they have to recharge their simulation cards. Those from the second group are isolated in the uglier side of the real world, which is one giant radioactive playground ruled by freaks and mutants who are constantly trying to exterminate each other.

Judy (Marta Martin), a curious member of the first group, decides to step out of her simulated reality and get a taste of the ugliness of the other side. Shortly after, she is attacked by a pair of deformed cannibals and saved by Stover (Bruce Campbell), a modern-day nomad who makes ends meet as a scavenger. He takes her back to his place but hours later they are captured by a large group of cannibals and transported to their massive underground compound where the evil Seer (Angus Scrimm) rules like a God.

The screenplay is quite weak which is the main reason why there is such a heavy emphasis on the graphic violence and sadism. Campbell is the right guy for this type of a messy horror film, but once the action moves to Seer’s lair the mayhem quickly tires the eyes because it isn’t attached to any intriguing developments. Indeed, a lot of bodies are mutilated, dismembered, and minced, but this is basically it.

The finale is seriously underwhelming as well. A few generalizations about the dangers of technological progress and ultimate power are mixed up in a pretty amateurish fashion and as a result the viewer is left with the impression that Judy’s journey was just a pretext for an exotic dose of horror thrills. This is unfortunate because especially in the second half plenty could have been done to use the overlapping of the realities to produce a thought-provoking mind-bender. Sadly, in its current form the film is only about an exotic journey filled with gruesome killings and a ton of fake red blood.

It is easy to tell that Barnett and his team did not have a big budget to work with because some of the decors and costumes look quite cheap. This being said, the big grinder that Seer uses during his bloody ritual actually looks pretty impressive. Also, good lighting equipment was used to make the ritual and a few other sequences look as spooky as possible.

Mindwarp Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Mindwarp arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment.

The master that was used to produce this release is old, and I assume that it is the same master Twilight Time and Mill Creek Entertainment worked with to produce their North American releases of Mindwarp. (Unfortunately, I do not own any of them). It is a decent organic master that handles the original cinematography rather well, but you won't have to look long and hard to discover that it has plenty of limitations. For example, sharpness and delineation are not optimal, which is why some of the wider panoramic shots tend to look somewhat flat (see screencaptures #9 and 19). In darker areas fine nuances are lost because of black crushing as well. Grain should be better exposed, so if you view your films on a larger screen, you will notice plenty of minor fluctuations as the lighting changes. The good news is that there are no traces of problematic digital corrections, so even with the limitations the entire film still looks quite good. The color grading is convincing, but saturation can be improved and some darker nuances need to be expanded. There are no stability issues. The entire film looks clean as well. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Mindwarp Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio is clear and stable. However, while viewing the film I often felt that it becomes a tad 'thin'. My guess is that the original audio mix isn't too impressive because the film was done with a limited budget, but perhaps there is room for some minor optimizations. Regardless, this is a solid audio track that makes enjoying the film quite easy.

Mindwarp Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original theatrical trailer for Mindwarp. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Fangoria Weekend of Horrors - presented here is footage from the 1990 horror convention with Bruce Campbell and Angus Scrimm. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Q&A Session One: Bruce Campbell. (49 min).
  2. Q&A Session One: Bruce Campbell. (22 min).

• Commentary - in this new audio commentary, Tony Timpone and Jarret Gahan discuss the creation of Fangoria Films, the production of Mindwarp as well as its release history in some European territories, Bruce Campbell's contribution, some specific shooting obstacles, etc. There is also some pretty interesting information about the evolution of Fangoria Magazine.

• Cover - reversible sleeve artwork featuring original poster artwork for both the original US release, and the international Brain Slasher artwork.

• Booklet - collector's booklet featuring a new essay by film scholar and author Craig Ian Mann; and a reprinted article from Fangoria's sister publication, Gorezone.

Mindwarp Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Steve Barnett's Mindwarp could have been a very interesting mind-bender. There are some quite intriguing ideas floating in it and for a very short period of time it looks like an unhinged project that might have been secretly conceived by Lech Majewski, but the screenplay mishandles them and instead focuses on the violence and sadism. Needless to say, the thrills are very predictable and the end product quite underwhelming. Eureka Entertainment's release is sourced from an old but nice organic master, so if you enjoy the film consider picking it up for your library. If you have not seen the film but are curious, find a way to rent it first.