Tank Girl 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Tank Girl 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 29, 2026

Hey, they tried. Inhaling the four winds of alternative scene power in the mid-1990s, the producers of 1995’s “Tank Girl” had a vision to bring a spunky comic book series to the big screen. They loaded it up with attitude, visual mischief, and an alt-rock soundtrack, putting in a considerable effort to make sure the literary world translated to film. There are impressive technical achievements in the movie, which retains some scale and makeup wizardry. However, sitting through “Tank Girl” is another story, as director Rachael Talalay (“Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare,” “Ghost in the Machine”) fails to make this visit to a post-apocalyptic world anything but annoying, unwilling to corral star Lori Petty’s insufferable performance as the eponymous wiseacre. Editing is not a friend to the endeavor, with the feature working extremely hard to sell the main character as a delight. Perhaps she was on the page, but the cinematic version is difficult to endure.

For additional analysis and information, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2013 Blu-ray review.

Tank Girl 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Tank Girl" was originally issued on Blu-ray by Shout Factory in 2013, and returns with a new UHD release from Vinegar Syndrome, listed as "the 104- minute director-approved feature presentation," "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The viewing experience does very well with detail, examining the rough textures of this world and its inhabitants. Clarity is strong with skin particulars, securing makeup additions and wear and tear, and Ripper creature construction is open for inspection. Clothing maintains fibrousness as the characters enjoy many displays of style. Interiors deliver dimension, including cavernous looks at industrial sites and clubs. Exteriors maintain depth with desert vistas. Color is sharp and welcoming, handling the excitable palette, which is often filled with bright primaries due to design elements. Moodier Water and Power hues are secured, finding deep blues and steely grays. Skin tones are natural. Blacks are crisp, protecting evening events and shadow play. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Tank Girl 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two sound options for "Tank Girl," including a 5.1 DTS-HD MA track that does the trick. Dialogue exchanges are supported throughout the listening event, securing performance choices and emotional moods. Scoring supports with passable emphasis and clarity with instrumentation. Soundtrack selections are defined, with sharp vocals. Surrounds are active, exploring action elements and room depth with appreciable atmospherics and sound effects. Low-end follows industrial activity and violent encounters. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA stereo mix is also a fine listening experience, delivering a more immediate and slightly fresher experience. Width is secured and movement is present. It obviously lacks more immersive appeal, but it's almost preferrable with its energy.

Tank Girl 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer Kristen Lopez.

• "Artful Inspiration" (12:57, HD) is dual interview with director Rachel Talalay and artist Gary Basement, who've come together to work on a drawing of Tank Girl, helping to reflect on the character and what she represents in the film. Design elements are highlighted, examining how the look of the character came together for the picture, including a decision to change her costume and hair in every scene. Talalay shares her plans for comic book art and animation in "Tank Girl," with the latter used to cover for budget limitations. Other design elements are celebrated, and the helmer reflects on how she would approach the project today, exploring the possibilities with her now seasoned ways.

• "Gotta Be Me" (14:25, HD) is an interview with actress Lori Petty, who was involved in Pauly Shore's "In the Army Now" when she received the script for "Tank Girl," feeling confident about the part, only to learn that another actress (Emily Lloyd) was hired for the part. Manifesting success, Petty joined the project right before it began filming, scoring the part because she was willing to shave her head. The interviewee recalls her on-set experience, making up most of the character on the spot, and she shares praise for co-stars, including Naomi Watts and the professional ways of Ice-T. Creature effects are analyzed, along with additions from production designer Catherine Hardwicke. Petty closes with reflection on the lasting cult appeal of "Tank Girl."

• "Badass Feminine Energy" (11:28, HD) is an interview with production designer Catherine Hardwicke, who's been devoted to crazy art throughout her life, drawn to the world of "Tank Girl," working hard to get the gig. The shooting experience is detailed, tasked with making something out of a limited budget, having success finding buildings and a copper mine to use along the way. Vehicle work is also celebrated, extending to the use of real tanks for the main characters, and Hardwicke offers excitement over the enduring cult success of "Tank Girl" and its female-led production team.

• "Donning the Ears" (12:09, HD) is an interview with actor Scott Coffey, who built his early career in teen movies, scoring a part in "Tank Girl" due to his friendship with director Rachel Talalay. Prosthetic work is explored, mummifying Coffey, forcing him to work with mouth appliances and under the scorching Arizona sun, eventually finding partnership with his puppeteers. Co-stars are assessed, bonding with the likes of Ice-T and Naomi Watts. The interviewee remains happy with the work and time with Talalay, sharing pride in its cult longevity.

• "An Eye for the Apocalypse" (11:41, HD) is an interview with casting director Pam Dixon, who explores her career highlights in the 1990s, eventually finding her way to "Tank Girl," excited to work with director Rachel Talalay on a female-driven action film. The casting process is detailed, going out to actresses with the demand that the performer must be willing to shave her head. Dixon doesn't mention any last-minute casting of Lori Petty, stating that she was a top pick from the start. Supporting parts are also examined, thrilled to be working with Naomi Watts, while Malcolm McDowell was a friend, handed a script that he really enjoyed.

• "Punk Rock Post-Apocalypse" (24:03, HD) is an interview with costume designer Arianne Phillips, who tracks her film education, discovering "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and MTV as a teenager, inspiring her artistic drive and storytelling vision. Talk eventually turns to "Tank Girl," spotlighting mood and fashion choices to help define the characters, also in charge of making most of the outfits from scratch, which was no small effort. Casting choices are explored, with the interviewee delighted to work with the ensemble, sharing some surprise when meeting Malcolm McDowell, who went out of his way to praise her work.

• "Meet the Rippers" (11:51, HD) is an interview with Legacy Effects co-founders J. Alan Scott and Shane P. Mahan, who worked as puppeteers on "Tank Girl." The interviewees were tasked with helping to bring the Rippers to life, recalling their interactions with the actors and the shaping of character personalities. Technical details are provided, examining how the kangaroos moved and reacted, also sharing the long hours required to pull off the visuals.

• "Tank Translation" (15:32, HD) is an interview with storyboard artist and second unit director Peter Ramsey, who's been creative since he was a child in Los Angeles, eventually showing interest in the film business, working his way into bigger gigs, including directing opportunities. The interviewee details his job responsibilities, helping to generate the visual plan for a production, working closely with directors. For "Tank Girl," labor was required to bring action sequences to life, putting Ramsey in charge of a large crew for the first time. The interviewee's career evolution is examined, making his way to DreamWorks Animation, eventually moving on to direct "Rise of the Guardians" and "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."

• "The Making of 'Tank Girl'" (5:08, SD) is the original EPK featurette selling the creation of the picture. BTS footage, film clips, and cast and crew interviews are provided.

• Original Ending (1:23, SD) is offered in workprint form.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:33, HD) is included.

Tank Girl 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Watching "Tank Girl" is a frustrating experience. Talalay has gone on the record claiming the final cut was mangled by studio intervention, preventing her from achieving her "vision" for the film. It's pretty obvious something happened to the picture, as characters come and go, and animated sequences randomly pop up to cover missing footage and ideas. The character of Tank Girl is also a bit bewildering, with an abrasive Petty asked to riff hard without improvisational skills, laboring to transform the punk girl into a wisecracking icon of style and sass. The performance is too much and goes on for too long, joined by Malcolm McDowell's needlessly hammy turn as the villain. The story is a bit of a mess, but Talalay focuses on visual highlights, and they're around for those hunting for distractions, including excellent makeup work on the Rippers, Tank Girl's mutant kangaroo army. The endeavor means to be a ride of insolence and dented heroism, boosted by "Alternative Nation"-branded music and style. It was a big swing of feminine power and genre moviemaking, but it doesn't connect, unable to translate comic book swagger and impishness to the screen.