Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Mutant War Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 26, 2019

1988’s “Mutant War” is generally considered a sequel to 1985’s “Battle for the Lost Planet,” but writer/director Brett Piper doesn’t entirely believe in the potential of a true continuation. While the lead character returns to duty, there’s little else that syncs up with the previous endeavor, finding the helmer in rehash mode, only something is weirdly askew with follow-up. Piper has more money and filmmaking technology to give “Mutant War” proper thrust, but he’s made a mostly lifeless picture that doesn’t possess the same DIY vibe of special effects that kept “Battle for the Lost Planet” vaguely interesting. The fun has been drained out of the endeavor, watching as Piper labors on a needless do-over that plays considerably smaller than its predecessor, while the titular promise for sci-fi chaos isn’t kept.

After saving the world by detonating a special alien-killing bomb, Harry (Matt Mitler) has destroyed the rest of the world by accident, unleashing deadly radiation that’s mutated men, turning them into cannibalistic monsters. Trying to stay clear of trouble with his car, Harry finds himself pulled into conflict when he meets Spider (Kristine Waterman), a teenager who’s escaped from the mutants (aka “Mooks”), ready to return to free her sisters from captivity, with women prepared for breeding before turned into lunch. Resisting involvement, Harry springs into action, only to have his path to heroism blocked by a group of punkers who rule the wasteland, delaying a showdown with Reinhart (Cameron Mitchell), a madman trying to manipulate the mutant way as a show of power.

Piper provides some connective tissue to “Battle for the Lost Planet,” making it clear in the opening of the movie that Harry managed to get rid of alien life on Earth, only to have it replaced by mutants who not only enjoy devouring victims, but they’re collecting women to rape, trying to create a next generation of ghouls. It’s an unpleasant and unnecessary addition to what’s meant to be VHS market fluff, but one gets the feeling that Piper doesn’t really care about anything that happens in “Mutant War.” He makes it more of a demo reel, ordering up two monster attacks in the opening 20 minutes, showcasing his stop-motion animation skills as creatures discover Harry in the wild, trying to snack on a character who, in the opening scenes, is introduced drinking old booze from a muddy bottle while reading discarded Playboys. What a hero.

Harry shares Piper’s apathy for the events in “Mutant War,” reluctantly trying to help Spider with her plan to rescue her siblings, which requires an infiltration of mutant headquarters. The forward march to liberation is there for the taking, but Piper throttles potential mayhem, slowing down a short film with the arrival of the punkers, who live to make things impossible for others. They even give Harry a hallucinogenic drink, gifting Piper a chance to recycle footage from “Battle for the Lost Planet” to help pad the runtime, presenting plot information that would be more helpful as a prologue, not positioned near the end of the feature. The punkers eventually embark on their own mission of rebellion, as the screenplay adds a weird subplot concerning an alien weapons dealer making a stop on Earth, presenting the heavily made-up gang with supercharged guns and rifles to best match what the mutants are packing. It’s an odd tangent in a production that doesn’t need the distractions, but considering how much of “Mutant War” is made up of characters creeping around dark locations, it’s clear Piper was desperate to fill the effort with anything he could come up with. While 20 minutes shorter than its predecessor, the sequel somehow feels twice as long.

Mutant War Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Like "Battle for the Lost Planet," "Mutant War" has been newly scanned for Blu-ray, with Vinegar Syndrome working from a 35mm OCN. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is clear and vivid, with appealing primaries on punker costumes and car paint jobs, while greenery looks fresh, providing a sense of outdoor life for the low-budget production. Skintones are natural, and make-up effects retain their intended hues. Detail is strong, picking up on costuming textures and plastic weaponry, also surveying industrial interiors with proper dimension. Grain is fine and filmic. Delineation is challenged quite a bit by limited interior lighting, but frame information doesn't solidify. Source is in strong shape, with some light scratches and single-frame blotches, and mild judder.

Mutant War Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix supplies a basic listening event for "Mutant War," emphasizing dialogue exchanges, which offer inherent thinness hit with a few stretches of sibilance issues. Dramatic ranges register acceptably, and electronic scoring is simple and persistent, with an adequate synth push to support the action. Sound effects are mostly effective, managing laser blasts and gun fire, though a few shots are mysteriously dialed down along the way.

Mutant War Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (:55) is an audio greeting from writer/director Brett Piper, who tries to explain how "Mutant War" is a sequel but not really a sequel to "Battle for the Lost Planet." He also details casting accomplishments, including the hiring of Cameron Mitchell, perhaps unwisely reminding listeners that the actor previously won an Academy Award.

• Commentary features Piper.

• "Battle for the Last Movie" (20:44, SD) is an unexpectedly candid interview with Brett Piper, who tracks his early development at an independent filmmaker, completing only two features before he was tasked with the creation of "Battle for the Lost Planet." Trying to scratch his Ray Harryhausen itches, the helmer describes the effort required to put a low-budget sci-fi adventure together, taking over factories and even a chicken coop to find space for the shoot, which ran over-schedule, resulting in a mutiny of sorts from some of the cast, adding to Piper's anxieties during a largely sleepless time in his life. Piper breaks down the selling of the picture and his relationship with a difficult producer, who wanted a remake of "Battle for the Lost Planet" for "Mutant War," giving the director 35mm demands he didn't want, forcing Piper to rethink his technical knowhow. There's a short inspection of stop-motion animation, tests of skill, and Piper's lifelong interest in moviemaking, while casting achievements are noted, with Cameron Mitchell demanding cue cards during his first day on "Mutant War." Piper seems a little fatigued of both features, which have been retitled and distributed without his knowledge, and admits embarrassment with the endeavors while still wishing them well on Blu-ray.

• And a Trailer (1:10, HD) is included.

Mutant War Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Mutant War" promises so much with its title, and it certainly seems like Piper is working to a proper match between man and monster, but the payoff never arrives. Instead, there's limp plotting with Reinhart, who's brought into the plot far too late to make a difference, and the production's limited scope prevents major carnage with punkers, sex slaves, and Harry. "Battle for the Lost Planet" detailed the destruction of Earth, and all "Mutant War" can muster is some minor gunplay and deadly dialogue for Harry, who tries to be a stand-up comedian during this test of gallantry. Piper didn't exactly master B-movie form the last time around, but he's clearly mentally checked out here, giving up on an unlikely franchise right as it's permitted a chance to take shape.