7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
After unearthing a gem that controls an evil monster looking to destroy the Universe, a young girl and her brother use it to make him do their bidding.
Starring: Matthew Ninaber, Kristen MacCulloch, Nita-Josee Hanna, Adam Brooks (V), Reece PresleySci-Fi | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
If you ever wanted to see E.T. as a Troma flick, Steven Kostanski's PG: Psycho Goreman might be your mug of beer. Sure, it owes a lot to Melissa Matheson and Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic and the House that Lloyd Kaufman built, and maybe even more to later properties like The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. But this practical-effects bonanza feels just original enough to exist without a lawsuit and, at the very least, will sate those who grew up on squishy fare like The Thing, Evil Dead II, and American Werewolf in London, as filtered through the lens of a dysfunctional family film with action scenes that play like a hard R-rated Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. You know, for kids!
Truth be told there's not much meat to this story, with most of its weight delegated to admittedly awesome practical effects and the fish-out-of-water scenario of these kids and their deadly new pal. But for the most part, that's enough to make it an enjoyable throwback film: Psycho Goreman is still tons of fun despite the narrative shortcomings, which might not even register with those just looking for a goofy diversion. The performances are solid too, from PG himself (voiced by Steven Vlahos and performed by Matthew Ninaber) to ineffective parents Susan (Alexis Hancey) and Greg (Adam Brooks). And, of course, there's Nita-Josee Hanna's breakout role as young Mimi, who reminds me of my own daughter... if I didn't take occasional breaks from writing to, you know, pay attention to her. Brash and confident, her performance carries the film during key stretches and, what's more, she doesn't always sound like she's just reading a script written by adults. But even if you're just here for the gushy gore, you'll get your money's worth.
While I wasn't quite as head-over-heels about Psycho
Goreman as our own Brian Orndorf in his glowing theatrical review, I
still consider it perfectly
solid entertainment that might just get even better with age. Bottom
line: this one's aimed squarely at those who value good old-fashioned
practical effects and who weren't afraid to rent a VHS tape back in the
day just for its schlocky cover art. RLJ
Entertainment's Blu-ray is even better with its terrific A/V
presentation and a surprisingly deep collection of extras that make
Psycho Goreman a pretty outstanding blind buy.
RLJ Entertainment's 1080p transfer makes the most of Psycho Goreman's low-budget but serviceable visuals, which as mentioned earlier are heavy on practical effects. This gives the film a slightly cartoonish but very lived-in appearance that successfully captures the late 80s / early 90s aesthetic that dominates almost every aspect of the film's look and feel. (And on the rare occasion when genuine CGI appears, it usually sticks out badly on purpose.) Image detail and textures are only impressive under the right conditions, such as costume close-ups and anything shot outdoors during the day -- most everything else is flatter in comparison but still well-shot and nicely saturated. Black levels run fairly deep with minimal crush and no obvious compression artifacts, adding to a visual presentation that looks better than most of the Troma fare it clearly borrows from. It's a solid-looking Blu-ray translation that, due to Psycho Goreman's extremely narrow theatrical window, will make a pretty strong first impression on most audiences.
Psycho Goreman's DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix is also suitably impressive, offering a pleasing mix of atmospheric touches and appropriately squishy sound effects when the situation demands them. Dialogue is typically front and center, except during more crowded moments or in larger locations like high-walled empty rooms and outdoor scenes, where faint echoes venture into the rear channels. But that's where the soundtrack and action sequences pick up the slack, boasting plenty of discrete channel separation and panning effects that widen the sound stage considerably. So while Psycho Goreman doesn't necessarily break new ground within its core genres of sci-fi and horror, this is still an excellent mix that will add to your overall enjoyment of what's ultimately a pretty active experience.
Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included during the film only, and sit just inside the 2.39:1 frame.
This one-disc release ships in a standard keepcase with nifty reversible artwork, a matching slipcover, and an awfully presumptuous promotional insert featuring loads of officially licensed merchandise. Bonus features are plentiful and include a full-length audio commentary plus more than an hour of bite-sized featurettes.
Steven Kostanski's PG: Psycho Goreman offers a pretty fun take on the whole "aliens found by kids" subgenre of sci-fi, deftly subverting viewer expectations with a blood-splattered venture into practical effects horror that will bewitch fans of Troma, Rob Bottin, Stan Winston, or Greg Nicotero. It's disappointingly light on original story beats but the anything-goes atmosphere and enjoyable performances make this one well worth looking into. RLJ Entertainment's Blu-ray is a very well-rounded package with terrific A/V specs and an impressive slate of bonus features that puts it right over the top. On the strengths of those merits, Psycho Goreman earns at least a hearty "blind buy" recommendation.
1986
1987
1986
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1984
Collector's Edition
1988
2019
2019
2015
1982
Director's Cut
1986
Collector's Edition
1985
1988
1988
Collector's Edition
2006
1988
Reissue
1985
2013
2019
2016
2015