Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Tammy and the T-Rex 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 4, 2020

With B-movie buffs on a never-ending quest to get ahead of potential cult craziness, their latest discovery is 1994’s “Tammy and the T-Rex,” celebrating the wonders of a film that dares to mix the adolescent pains of a T-NBC sitcom and the unleashed gore of a Herschell Gordon Lewis production. While it’s a stretch to claim the feature as any sort of professional accomplishment, it’s certainly Crazy Times, U.S.A., with co- writer/director Stuart Raffill protecting his vision for a campy, bloody adventure that’s big on weird science and light on laughs. Considering Raffill’s previous helming endeavors (the troubling “Mac and Me” and “Mannequin Two: On the Move”), the directness of “Tammy and the T-Rex” is welcome, giving fans of schlock a heaping helping of over-the-top performances, limited production means, and a big mechanical dinosaur who lives to tear its enemies apart.

Michael (Paul Walker) is an average teenager in love with Tammy (Denise Richards), only to constantly harassed by her violent ex, Billy (George Pilgrim). After getting close to his object of desire, Michael is rewarded with a severe beating, which eventually leaves him dead. Taking advantage of the situation, evil Dr. Wachenstein (Terry Kiser) transfers Michael’s brain to a mechanical T. rex, giving the creation life. However, Michael doesn’t take to the new body, destroying anyone who challenges him as he makes his way back to Tammy, who soon sets out to save the boy she loves.

Made for very little money, Raffill tries to keep “Tammy and the T-Rex” moving along with strange encounters, rarely paying attention to the needs of storytelling and directorial finesse. He’s got a gigantic mechanical dinosaur, so nothing else really matters, using traditional adolescent concerns to drive the limited plot, while adding villainy from a mad scientist who quickly realizes he can’t control his creation. “Tammy and the T-Rex” isn’t a strong feature, but it does include some nutty moments to keep it engaging, including a mid-movie scene where the T. rex embarks on a game of charades to explain the brain situation to Tammy, who slowly catches on. And there’s the sheer carnage of the effort, with Michael using his new body to squish heads and disembowel bullies, shredding members of Billy’s gang. Raffill has no idea how to combine sensitivity and extreme violence, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to craft the most tonally inconsistent picture of his career.

Tammy and the T-Rex 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Vinegar Syndrome released an appealing look at "Tammy and the T-Rex" for its Blu-ray release last month, and now the beloved company is taking a step forward in home video presentation, offering the low-budget feature for their first foray into the UHD market. The 2160p viewing experience does a surprising amount with an already healthy looking BD, delivering a slightly clearer appreciation for screen elements, finding sharpness impressive at times, making the endeavor look as though it was shot yesterday. Costuming has improved textures, and faces are exact. Rubbery dino particulars remain perfectly defined. Colors are outstanding, and while the BD did just fine with its palette, the UHD comes alive in a noticeable way, finding primaries especially memorable on period outfits (and cultural wear, with African-inspired garb providing bold hues) and decoration. Greenery is gorgeous, and skintones are natural, offering a defined pinkish quality on a few of the younger stars. Highlights aren't showy, but most are memorable, capturing the brightness of outdoor action, which feels positively warm in the California sun. Grain structure is film-like, with ideal management.

Tammy and the T-Rex 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix goes very loud to bring out the force of "Tammy and the T-Rex." It's a hot track with a few crispy highs along the way, but dialogue exchanges are enjoyable, picking up on thespian choices and emotionality when available. Scoring handles expectedly, offering adequate definition and support, and soundtrack cuts are heavier. Atmospherics are compelling, feeling out outdoor adventures and group interactions, including school fights. Some mild hiss is detected.

Tammy and the T-Rex 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD

• Commentary features Stuart Raffill and producer Diane Kirman.

BD

• Commentary features Stuart Raffill and producer Diane Kirman.

• The PG-13 Cut (82:26, SD) of "Tammy and the T-Rex" is offered.

• "Blood, Brains, and a Teenage T-Rex" (22:12, HD) sits down with Stuart Raffill to discuss the making of "Tammy and the T-Rex," and the director's story begins with his move from England to Los Angeles, quickly making a name for himself as an animal trainer. Production origins for "Tammy and the T-Rex" are detailed, with Raffill handed just under a million dollars and a mechanical dinosaur, tasked with making a movie in a matter of weeks. Dino logistics are recounted, along with nature's challenges, including an encroaching wildfire. Casting is celebrated, with extra attention paid to Paul Walker, and tech credits are lauded, with most working hard to create a sellable feature. Special effects are highlighted as well. Raffill gets candid when discussing the reworking of the picture for different markets, recalling studio interference with his 1984 effort, "The Ice Pirates."

• "A Blast from the Past" (11:31, HD) is an interview with Denise Richards, who's not terribly specific when it comes to details from the "Tammy and the T-Rex" shoot. The actress describes her excitement for the part, representing her first leading role in the movie, confronted with the challenge of working up emotion for a rubber dinosaur. Richards explores some of the physical trials of the shoot, including running around in high heels, and also recalls the incoming wildfire, which Raffill didn't pay much attention to. Talk of co-stars is shared, and Richards is complimentary to Raffill, who strived to create a reality to all the nonsense, helping his performers. Chalking up "Tammy and the T-Rex" as a learning experience, Richards remains pleased with the professional opportunity.

• "Having the Guts" (12:12, HD) is a conversation with Sean Whalen, who was trying to capitalize on his fame as the star of a milk commercial when "Tammy and the T-Rex" came into his life. Armed with his own special spiky hair look, Whalen was hired for the part of a punk, satiating his love of campy cinema with the job, already aware of Raffill and his disastrous command of "Mac and Me." Co-stars are assessed, recalling downtime with Walker and appreciation for Richards's beauty, and he shares the legacy of "Tammy and the T-Rex," which remains in play for autograph-seekers at horror conventions.

• "A Testicular Stand-Off" (25:07, HD) spends time with George Pilgrim, and while the runtime on the interview initially seems imposing considering the subject's limited screen time, Pilgrim ends up becoming the best thing on the disc. Candid and a little fired-up about his experience making "Tammy and the T-Rex," Pilgrim breathlessly describes the challenges he faced during production, including a last-minute change to testicular trauma during a fight with Walker's character, a supporting player's heart attack on-set, and his struggles with stunts, including the selling of a limp rubber bat and his own encounter with the mechanical dinosaur. Pilgrim is clear about the dangers Raffill subjected him to, the fatigue of night shoots, and the frustration he felt when it came to the lack of production safety. This is a must-watch recap of "Tammy and the T- Rex" insanity.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Tammy and the T-Rex 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Tammy and the T-Rex" is incredibly broad, from performances to special effects. It's a weird one, but not always in a good way. Raffill can't offer production polish, and lead performances from Richards and Walker are more earnest than engaging, leaving the rest of the effort to coast on violent extremes and cartoonish interplay. From a cult movie perspective, everything is here, giving those interested in cinematic curios something to savor. Expecting anything more from "Tammy and the T-Rex" will likely lead to a headache.