Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Resurrection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 24, 2021

They made a kind of magic with 1986’s “Highlander” and managed to physically survive the making of “Highlander II: The Quickening,” but director Russell Mulcahy and star Christopher Lambert weren’t done with each other just yet. For 1999’s “Resurrection,” Lambert and Mulcahy reteam for a serial killer thriller, using marketplace momentum created by 1995’s “Seven” to unleash a similar tale of an urban nightmare that involves the discovery of mangled bodies and the battling of random rainstorms. There’s a detective story included to maintain audience interest, but “Resurrection” is trying to generate a disturbing understanding of a dangerous mind and the cop determined to stop a highly orchestrated game of murder. The creative team arrives with enthusiasm, but the derivative elements of the endeavor mangle most of their plans for excitement.

In Chicago, Detective John (Christopher Lambert) is a New Orleans native mourning the loss of his young son, losing his religion and distancing himself from his wife, Sara (Barbara Tyson). Partnered with jokester Andrew (Leland Orser), John grows aware that something awful is happening after the discovery of a dead body with its arm surgically removed. Following the clues, John pieces together as biblical explanation as more mangled corpses arrive, pointing to the work of a serial killer with a resurrection fetish, creating his own body of Jesus Christ, keeping the detective on edge as he sets out to prevent completion of this macabre project from a devious monster.

“Resurrection” is written by Brad Mirman (“Highlander: The Final Dimension,” “Body of Evidence”) with a co-story credit going to Lambert, but the men don’t have much of an imagination for the subgenre. Once again, viewers are offered a broken lead character facing a gruesome detective challenge, embarking on a tour of the urban jungle as clues are gathered, leading to awful discoveries. “Seven” is the obvious influence (in the Blu- ray supplements, Mulcahy disagrees, but come on), with John working in the near-constant rain (even under crisp blue skies) to gather information about the killer, making his way to horrific crime scenes involving victims with different parts of their anatomy removed, with Roman numerals carved into their skin. It’s up to him to figure out this code, working tirelessly to discover just who is behind this ghoulish offering of religious dedication.

“Resurrection” isn’t fresh, but it’s well performed for the most part (David Cronenberg has a random cameo as a priest), with Lambert actually delivering one of his best performances as John, an emotionally ruined man handed renewed purpose with the case. The actor is commanding and passionate, doing well with familiar beats of police investigation and pursuit, also dabbling in marital stress as John tries to communicate with Sara. Mulcahy also tries to jazz up the material, and while extreme style has served him well in the past, adding cinematic power to “Highlander” and “The Shadow,” his instincts aren’t as sharp this time around, keeping “Resurrection” somewhat silly with bursts of frame distortion, hand-held jiggle, and zoom-happy movement. One can feel Mulcahy trying to make something happen with his direction, which ends up more distracting than thrilling.

Resurrection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 2K scan of the 35mm interpositive. "Resurrection" is a movie that aims to be moody, and the colder palette is superbly preserved, offering urban tours with extensive grays and blacks, finding signage offering the only real pops of bright color. Flashes of yellow from window coverings are also distinct. Skintones are natural. Detail is generally quite good, preserving the roughness of Lambert's skin and gruesome displays of dead bodies and severed limbs. Office interiors retain clear decoration, and exteriors are dimensional. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

Resurrection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix isn't wildly active, but the essentials of the "Resurrection" listening event are maintained throughout. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, handling extensive exposition and some accents with ideal clarity. Scoring cues support with authority, offering sharp instrumentation and position, with a more authoritative suspense presence. Low-end isn't challenged, but some violence and bass hits offer mild weight. Surrounds are limited, pushing out music and atmospherics, including the repeated presence of rain.

Resurrection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "On the Same Page" (13:17, HD) is an interview with actor Jonathan Potts, who recalls his audition for director Russell Mulcahy, with another aspiring actor feeling the vibe that the job was taken once Potts left the room. After being hired for the role, Potts discusses the process of interpretation, trying to make the character his. Set memories are shared, including an assessment of Mulcahy's professionalism, and Potts details his experiences with star Christopher Lambert, working to hold in his own "Highlander" fandom around the actor. Time with reshoots is explored, and the interviewee provides thoughts on co-stars and crew members, also reflecting on a particularly bad day when he received some tough personal news. Potts provides his thoughts on "Resurrection," delighted the feature is getting a second chance on Blu-ray.

• "A Cathartic Experience" (27:23, HD) is a video conference interview with director Russell Mulcahy, who works through his initial contact with the premise, which was cooked up by star Christopher Lambert. Using art world influences, Mulcahy describes his style choices for "Resurrection," which worked with a harder level of violence than anything else he's done. Casting is recalled, including the addition of David Cronenberg to the picture, and technical credits are celebrated. Editing issues are investigated, with the interviewee sharing that cuts were made to "Resurrection" without his prior knowledge, and he briefly processes his career at the time, trying to shake off his years in Hollywood with a grittier endeavor. Questions are provided by Vinegar Syndrome's Brad Henderson, and kudos to him for his tenacity when it comes to conversing with Mulcahy, who gives weirdly terse replies, never delving deeply into the topics covered.

• "Over the Top" (14:03, HD) is an interview with composer Jim McGrath, who was initially recommended for the job by editor Gordon McClellan. Thoughts on director Russell Mulcahy are shared, with their collaboration easy once they found common ground with career interests. Working with a 54-piece orchestra and a small choir, McGrath set out to find the moods of "Resurrection," also talking on the challenge of perfecting a main title theme. Recognizing "Resurrection" as the beginning of his career in bigger features, the interviewee shares his pride in the work and its place in the development of his professional future.

• "Terrifying or Hilarious" (15:00, HD) is an interview with actor Robert Joy, who walks through the development of his career, presented with chances to display his talents onscreen. Offered his role in "Resurrection," Joy discusses his work to understand themes and character, happy to play a man with so many layers. Acting challenges are recalled, including a brutal overnight shoot with wind and rain machines, and the interviewee examines his time with director Russell Mulcahy and star Christopher Lambert. Joy is candid about the aborted release of "Resurrection," trusting the feature will find a fresh audience on Blu-ray.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Resurrection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Resurrection" has its moments, primarily when Mulcahy settles down and permits the inherent ugliness of the story lead the way, which gives Lambert and the cast something to work with. There's not a lot of momentum to "Resurrection," which is always at its best with codebreaking and heated police work, working to a passable resolution that goes on a bit too long. It's serviceable serial killer filmmaking, but rarely does it break out and become something riveting.