Moon in Scorpio Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Moon in Scorpio Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 9, 2019

Director Gary Graver has gone on record saying that 1987’s “Moon in Scorpio” is a compromised film. It was meant to be a low-budget chiller attempting to tie into Vietnam Veteran affairs, only to come up against a producer who wanted a slasher movie to help sell the effort to the home video market. Graver lost the battle, and “Moon in Scorpio” certainly plays like a compromised feature, making little sense while it attempts to survey murderous events and the reverberating horrors of post-war PTSD.

It’s not difficult to spot detours in production vision, with star Britt Ekland awkwardly positioned as the narrator of “Moon in Scorpio,” recounting a nightmare honeymoon adventure with her husband (John Phillip Law) and two other couples, with the men all buddies dating back to their Vietnam experience (which is recreated here in someone’s backyard). The gang sets out on a boating excursion, but deep-seated issues remain concerning battlefield cruelty and spousal resentment, leading to conflicts as the couples try to get along. There also happens to be a killer on the loose, using some type of grappling device to slice open victims. Genre interests are secured with a few gory shots, but it’s pretty clear “Moon in Scorpio” wasn’t originally intended to be a slaughterama, as too much time is spent on Vietnam issues, only to have it all discarded in the final act. Also messing with the endeavor’s flow is Ekland’s voiceover, which is often laid over dialogue exchanges, obviously covering for a general redirection of plot.

Moon in Scorpio Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

An MGM catalog title, "Moon in Scorpio" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. It's surprising to find such an obscure title graduating to BD, and while the movie hasn't been offered a fresh scan, the essentials of the viewing experience aren't too problematic. Softness remains, without crisp detail, but frame information is open for inspection, with interior decoration on display and oceanic locations preserving some dimension. Clothing retains fabric qualities, including sheerness. Skin surfaces deliver in close-ups. Colors are acceptable, with swimsuits and eveningwear bringing out hotter reds and blues. Greenery is also compelling, and blue skies are appreciable. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in decent condition, with some mild wear and tear.

Moon in Scorpio Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a secure understanding of performances, delivering clean dialogue exchanges that reach the limits of the original sound design. Scoring isn't memorable, but it supports as intended, with acceptable instrumentation. Sound effects come through as expected, offering some punch to gunfire and bloody acts of violence. Mild hiss is detected during the listening event.

Moon in Scorpio Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Moon in Scorpio Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Moon in Scorpio" is only interesting as a botched production, studying the choices made to turn an original idea into a blandly sellable one. It's not striking enough to be taken seriously as a horror film, and not deep enough to register as a drama. Instead, it's a mangled effort.