Signals: A Space Adventure Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Signals: A Space Adventure Blu-ray Movie Review

Signals – A Space Adventure is an ambitious and entertaining science-fiction feature. Signals – A Space Adventure is an attempt at a Russian science-fiction film inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey. Though Signals – A Space Adventure is not in the same league as the Kubrick production, it does offer an imaginative sense of creativity. Adapted from the novel “Asteroidenjaeger" by Carlos Rasch, Signals – A Space Adventure stars Piotr Pawlowski, Evgeniy Zharikov, Gojko Mitic, Alfred Müller, Helmut Schreiber, and Irena Karel.

A spaceship sets forth and loses its successful pathway. It is a journey of the 21^st century. With a new commander involved, an investigation into the space crew and flight goes underway.

The cast of characters includes Veikko (Piotr Pawlowski), Pawel (Evgeniy Zharikov), Terry (Gojko Mitic), Konrad (Alfred Müller), Gaston (Helmut Schreiber), and Juana (Irena Karel). The actors do solid work with these characters. The sometimes over-the-top acting style compliments the filmmaking.

The costume designs by Günter Schmidt (Three Wishes for Cinderella, Born in '45) and Marianne Schmidt (Castles and Cottages, Rüpel) are well done. The costuming makes a solid impression. The designs add wonder to the filmmaking in spades.

Featuring a score composed by Karl-Ernst Sasse (The Last Laugh, Asphalt), Signals – A Space Adventure is an engaging score. The music adds a lot to the production. Sasse is a talented composer and someone who adds an abundance of charm to the filmmaking.

The cinematography by Otto Hanisch (Blue Bird, Sonjas Rapport) is well-done throughout the feature-film. The cinematography by Hanisch shines with great visual splendor throughout. There is plenty worth celebrating in the visual style.

Edited by Helga Gentz (The Ascent of Chimborazo, The Woman and the Stranger), Signals – A Space Adventure is well-paced. The editing is top-notch and adds a lot to the production. Gentz is a great editor and someone who capably assembled a fast-paced and engaging cut of the feature-film.

Written by Gottfried Kolditz (The Thing in the Castle, The Small White Mouse) and C.U. Wiesner (Spuk aus der Gruft, Stülpner-Legende), Signals – A Space Adventure is well-written. The script has a fun, breezy, and laidback style. The script isn’t as compelling as the best science-fiction dramas but it certainly offers fun characterizations and dialogue.

Directed by Gottfried Kolditz (The Thing in the Castle, The Small White Mouse), Signals – A Space Adventure is well worth seeing. Signals – A Space Adventure is a fun and adventurous sci-fi film. Adventure awaits and audiences will appreciate the retro old-school charms of the filmmaking.

Signals: A Space Adventure Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Deaf Crocodile, Signals – A Space Adventure is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high- definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.20:1 widescreen. The feature-film received a new scan from 6K resolution and the restoration was finished in 4K. The 70mm film was utilized for the restoration process.

Signals: A Space Adventure Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound (with English subtitles) impresses in spades. The lossless audio sounds crisp and clear on the release. The audio restoration is taken from a 6-magnetic channel source. The restoration was well done. The lossless audio impresses in spades and the 5.1 surround sound is well-done. The English subtitles impress, too. The subtitles are free from any egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Signals: A Space Adventure Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Stephen Bissette

"Other Worlds, Strange Dreams: The East German space operas of Director Gottfried Kolditz" (HD, 17:29)

Original 1970 Theatrical Trailer (HD, 3:15)

Signals: A Space Adventure Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Signals – A Space Adventure is an exhilarating science-fiction adventure. The classic feature has good production values and a sense of creativity. The filmmaking is well-done. Ambitious and compelling. The Blu-ray release provides an excellent high-definition transfer of the 4K restoration, lossless audio, and a selection of bonus features. Recommended.