Primal Rage 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Primal Rage 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 31, 2023

Vittorio Rambaldi, son of famous special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi (who designed the creature for “E.T.”), makes his directorial debut with 1988’s “Primal Rage,” getting some help from dear old dad when it comes to creating horror happenings for the picture. Scripted by “Harry Kirkpatrick” (reportedly Umberto Lenzi and James Justice), the feature submits the scourge of an infectious event on a Florida college campus, putting characters in danger as the bitten transform into vicious monsters. It’s an easy lay-up premise for Rambaldi, who deals with panicky people, villainous creeps, and plenty of bloodshed, but inexperience and lack of budgetary might throttle the fun factor of the endeavor. “Primal Rage” is amusing, with plenty of unintentional laughs, and when it finds its groove as a freak-out experience, it connects as intended. However, this is an Italian production trying to make an American movie, and clunkiness is present in a major way, leaving it up to viewers to decide if such goofiness is appealing or infuriating.

Sam (Patrick Lowe) is a student journalist at Florida International University, creating stories for the Independent Voice, growing skilled at exposing corruption. He’s joined by Duffy (Mitch Watson), with the pair handling leads and looking for women, with Sam making a connection with Lauren (Cheryl Arutt), a fellow student happy to have his help getting out of a parking violation. Elsewhere on campus is Dr. Ethridge (Bo Svenson), a scientist committed to making a serum that regenerates dead brain cells, experimenting on baboons in his lab, which causes the animals to react in hostile ways. Intent on exposing what’s going on with Dr. Ethridge, Duffy breaks into the lab, receiving a baboon bite in the process. As the days pass, Duffy gets increasingly sick, passing his illness to Debbie (Sarah Buxton), his date and Lauren’s roommate, with the pair turning into furious monsters, ready to kill any students they come across. Out to save the day is Sam, who joins Lauren as they scramble for safety, unsure how to deal with the outbreak.

“Primal Rage” offers a main title sequence that follows Sam around the campus, capturing activity with his camera, but there’s a song selection that turns the extended sequence into what feels like the opening credits of a TGIF-style sitcom. It’s a bizarre choice from the production (the tune returns three times during the movie), launching what’s meant to be a fright film with such an amiable mood, establishing ridiculousness right off the bat. And there’s more of that to come in “Primal Rage,” with Rambaldi trying to simulate the American collegiate experience by transforming higher education into the 13th grade, with Sam a Zack Morris-esque figure of confidence, and other students choose to rip into Debbie’s reputation and appearance. There are bullies too, with Lovejoy (a wildly hammy Doug Sloan) and his two goons trying to make life miserable for others, becoming a Johnny Lawrence-type for the story, which is truly something to see. And, because this is a European production, Lovejoy is also the organizer of an attempted gang rape in the feature. It’s not truly an Italian endeavor unless pure ugliness is present.

“Primal Rage” is filled with strange people, including Duffy, who’s a party animal and a serious journalist, becoming the first to be bitten by the baboon. His transformation into an adrenalized killing machine is covered over the course of the picture, sharing his blood with Debbie (Buxton sells sickness really well), creating violence on the campus. Gory events are present in the movie, with Rambaldi offering close-ups of gushing wounds and ripped flesh, making sure genre fans are satisfied with hellraising. Scary business isn’t a primary concern to Rambaldi, who’s mostly looking to generate occasional, Argento-like chaos, boosted by scoring efforts from Claudio Simonetti, rock tunes, and crazy happenings that make little sense.

Primal Rage 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Primal Rage" was previously issued on Blu-ray in 2020 by Dark Force Entertainment, but Vinegar Syndrome looks to become the definitive release with a new UHD viewing experience, scanned in 4K from the original 35mm camera negative. Cinematic quality is preserved throughout, with grain nicely resolved, and the source is in great condition. Detail is appealing, exploring skin particulars and elements of illness, keeping wet wounds open for inspection. Costuming is textured. Interiors preserve decorative additions, and campus tours are dimensional, with a full sense of depth around various areas. Colors are compelling, dealing with period fashion choices, which boost primaries, along with signage. Skin tones are natural. Greenery is distinct with Floridian locations. More subtle shades of purples and pinks are found with lighting, extending to party atmosphere. Highlights are tasteful. Blacks are deep, protecting evening experiences.

Primal Rage 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track provides a fresh understanding of performances, with dialogue exchanges clear throughout the listening event. Argumentative scenes don't slip into distortive extremes. Scoring supports with crisp instrumentation, and soundtrack selections are equally defined, with some pronounced bass. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable.

Primal Rage 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Baboon Bite Maniacs" (86:02, HD) is the making-of for "Primal Rage," featuring interviews with casting director Billy Damota (who participates via video conference), and actors Mitch Watson, Sarah Buxton, Patrick Lowe, Cheryl Arutt, and Bo Svenson. The story opens with casting tales, with most of the talent eager for any kind of work, drawn to the project due to the participation of special effects wizard Carlo Rambaldi. Brought down to Florida for the shoot, the cast recalls time with director Vittorio Rambaldi and his Italian crew, creating some language barriers, and audition memories are shared, with Brad Pitt actually scoring the lead role in the feature before entanglements with new representation managed to squash the deal. The interviewees explore the process of working with animals, finding the producers playing a little fast and loose with real baboon interactions, expecting the cast to execute stunts. Time with makeup is covered, and characterizations are analyzed, with Svenson making sure he had a specific look for the film. Reactions to "Primal Rage" are shared, and the actors close the conversation with an update on their activities and employment, with some still working in the movie industry.

• Interview (11:55, HD) is a 2020, extreme low-angle discussion of "Primal Rage" with producer Bill Immerman, who details his work on the feature, helping to corral a cast and put the project together. Some talk of different versions prepared for different markets is shared, along with tales from the Canadian shoot (the making-of focuses solely on Florida). Immerman also shares a story from his days with the Glendale district attorney's office, which kickstarted his career in the movie industry.

• Image Gallery (1:23) collects BTS snaps.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Primal Rage 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Primal Rage" isn't really well-acted and doesn't provide interesting drama. It's junky, which perhaps is enough, placing focus on wild encounters with unwell students and the sometimes awful people they tear apart. To that extent, it's an entertaining ride, albeit a bumpy one, with Rambaldi visibly struggling to depict authentic human behavior between scenes of mayhem. He ends up with a periodically savage effort, but also something that resembles an R-rated episode of a T-NBC show. You may feel a bit dizzy after watching this one.