Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Omega Syndrome Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 7, 2020

1986’s “Omega Syndrome” tries to keep actor Ken Wahl viable as an action star. While not without charm and leading man looks, Wahl is the reluctant hero in the picture, which is scripted by John Sharkey and transformed into something sellable by director Joseph Manduke, tasked with becoming an authoritative bruiser in a film that’s not entirely interested in providing a violent thrill ride. “Omega Syndrome” has the “Taken” formula, with a father losing his daughter to kidnappers, forced for fight for her return, and there’s a certain entertainment value in the clash between Wahl’s hesitant force for justice and the neo-Nazi scum who make the mistake of taking his character’s only child. It’s a blunt feature, but certain elements of the writing hint at a more detailed assessment of good and evil, giving the endeavor interesting moments of psychological clarity and idiosyncrasy before it plunges back into the escapism of an Italian-produced B-movie unleashed on the back alleys and parking garages of Los Angeles.

A Vietnam vet trying to avoid his past, Jack (Ken Wahl) is now an unemployed journalist struggling with alcoholism and additional unhealthy life choices. He’s a parent to Jessie (Nicole Eggert), a teenager who spends most of her time with her grandfather, Dr. Lloyd (Bill Morey). Getting together for lunch, Jack brings Jessie to a convenience store to pick up a bottle of booze, only to find the shop invaded by members of the Omega, a white supremacist organization looking to make quick cash. When they take off with Jessie, Jack is forced to deal with the L.A.P.D., and Detective Milnor (Doug McClure) is more interested in fighting his diet than the bad guys. Reconnecting with Phil (George DiCenzo), his old pal from the war, Jack embarks on his own pursuit of Omega goons, intimidating those associated with the terrorist group into offering information on Jessie’s whereabouts. Yo-Yo (Xander Berkeley), an unhinged Omega stooge, begins preparing for war, hounding Sean (Colm Meaney), a conflicted bomb- maker, for his latest creation, intending to put L.A. into a state of panic.

When we meet Jack, he’s in bad shape, drunkenly trying to charm a woman at pool table, sharing his vocational history with the stranger, who recognizes his name. He’s not an especially responsible man, but that’s the point, with Sharkey keeping Jack at the bottom of the barrel before meeting his daughter for a date, receiving dismissal from Dr. Lloyd, who loathes his son-in-law. In other movies of this ilk, the loss of Jessie to masked ghouls would enrage the father, putting him on the path to revenge, using any means necessary to reclaim his child and destroy those daring to extinguish the teenager’s innocence while she’s locked away in a grimy warehouse room. In “Omega Syndrome,” Jack is only mildly displeased with the whole situation, taking time to banter with Milnor and saunter his way over to Phil, an amputee who owns a gun rage and dabbles in some sexual predator behavior. Perhaps Jessie is better off with the Omegas.

Manduke doesn’t have the money to mount a big actioner, working with limited sets and locations, as a good chunk of “Omega Syndrome” takes place on the top deck of a parking garage. Still, there’s low-budget moviemaking to embrace, as the helmer organizes a few chases for Jack and Phil, who interact with various associates of the Omegas, putting the screws to hateful creeps who may know a thing or two about the terrorist group and their secret location. Such buddy cop material is enjoyable, with the war pals threatening to set one powerful monster on fire, playing up the embarrassment of a broken lighter. Material with Yo-Yo is more confusing, with the alpha Omega introduced as a drugged-out lunatic, a soldier in the war against minorities (he murders an interracial couple in the picture’s opening), only to emerge later as the organization’s leader, butting heads with Sean, who isn’t sure making an explosive device for the group is such a good idea. Sean’s subplot doesn’t factor much in the final cut, but it feels like major idea in Sharkey’s screenplay, highlighting a man conflicted about helping the Omegas. He’s fine with annihilating innocents, just not in service to these guys, as Yo-Yo is the tweaked-out provoking type. Nobody said being a mass-murderer is going to involve easy decisions.

Characterization is there, and the actors tend to play up quirk, with McClure making a meal out of Milnor’s struggles with weight loss, turning the reluctant consumption of cottage cheese into a full arc, with the cop also sneaking licorice to satisfy his sweet tooth. Jack isn’t quite as cartoony, and he’s not authoritative, leaving most of the barking to Phil, a friend who’s capable of violence when necessary. Sharkey also keeps Jack a bit of a dim-wit, which is an interesting choice that’s not developed in full, with Manduke trying to hammer the character into place as a hero, not a boob out trying to retrieve his daughter. “Omega Syndrome” could use more oddity to flavor the viewing experience, but curious creative decisions are sanded down by the last act.

Omega Syndrome Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as a "Brand new 2019 2K scan of the original negative," "Omega Syndrome" finds ideal clarity during the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Detail comes through with vigor, isolating facial particulars on the wide range of actors included here, and provides special attention to Yo-Yo's rotted teeth, which Berkeley enjoys showing off. Locations are dimensional, with deep backgrounds for city encounters, and sets, while often thinly constructed, remain open for inspection. Colors are appealing, with fresh primaries throughout. Costuming offers brighter hues, along with sun- blasted L.A. urban tours, finding signage varied and greenery intact. Skintones are natural. Delineation maintains consistency, preserving frame information. Source is in good condition, periodically dealing with mild scratches and speckling, and judder is detected at times.

Omega Syndrome Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix definitely shows its age, with pronounced hiss and pops carrying throughout the listening event. It's fairly heavy at times, but doesn't wipe out dialogue exchanges, which remain intelligible, but not precise, also wrestling with a few crispy highs. Scoring efforts register as intended, delivering a synth-led "orchestra" of noises to best support the action, while inappropriate hot sax is also called into duty. Sound effects are basic library offerings, but they're appreciable.

Omega Syndrome Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Trailer (1:19, SD) is included.

Omega Syndrome Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

One could pick apart "Omega Syndrome" in full, as so many scenes are pulled off without flair or trigger confusion (the Omegas are listed as a secret organization, but they mainly murder people in public places in broad daylight). The point of the endeavor is to provide mild thrills with a touch of exploitation, making Wahl into a man of honor refusing to bow to the wrath of a heavily armed terrorist group. It takes some squinting, but "Omega Syndrome" is entertaining, as Wahl does fine as a main attraction, only missing some energy when it comes to the primal drive of parental protection. The rest is low-wattage goods, but when the feature gets around to bashing baddies with one-man-army focus, there's enough snap here to satisfy.