The Astro-Zombies Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

The Astro-Zombies Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 26, 2016

When dealing with a Ted V. Mikels production, one must collect as must patience as possible before a viewing. The cult filmmaker (“The Corpse Grinders,” “The Doll Squad”) has never been the best judge of pace and dramatics, and 1968’s “The Astro-Zombies” has to be one of the worst, most padded pictures of his iffy career. A horror experience mixed with spy games, Mikels likes to keep the effort as elongated as possible, allowing viewers to savor every questionable directorial choice that comes along in this crushingly uneventful movie.

Mad science reigns in “The Astro-Zombies,” which shows initial promise as it embarks on a tale of body theft and reassembly, trying to work in a few gory encounters to successfully gross out the audience. However, macabre thrills are never allowed to snowball into a sinister feature, watching Mikels scramble to make an epic out of the bare minimum in production achievements. “The Astro-Zombies” is cheap-o production, and it doesn’t do itself any favors by trying to widen the scope of the effort, including narrative participation from government and criminal forces. No matter what Mikels does, the movie still dies a slow, painful death due to his limited, perhaps non-existent, directorial vision.

The Astro-Zombies Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation fights an unwinnable war against Mikels and his limited moviemaking prowess. Although the title has been remastered for its Blu-ray debut, the source still has its share of scratches, points of damage, and speckling. Judder is also detected. Detail is encouraging for this type of production, finding battles with focus unable to completely wipe away texture. Colors are iffy due to source issues, finding intensity fading in and out, though hues look fine when fully stabilized. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is comfortable and filmic.

The Astro-Zombies Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also wrestles with limited production competence, riding fluctuating levels and limited reach. Dialogue exchanges are either passable or far too quiet and buried to understand, though most issues are likely inherent to the original release. Scoring is kept quiet, almost acting as muzak during the listening experience. Atmospherics are dulled, and sound effects are exaggerated.

The Astro-Zombies Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features RiffTrax, the movie riffing gang consisting of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" vets Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett. The track is their usual offering of brilliant mischief and mockery (the film's agonizing pace is a frequent target), though fans of the company will notice strange sound levels that mildly distort louder riffs and identify sharp separation among the performers.

• Commentary #2 features writer/director/producer Ted V. Mikels.

• Commentary #3 features film historian Chris Alexander.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:16, SD) is included.

The Astro-Zombies Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While the cast features Tura Santana, Wendell Corey, and John Carradine, "The Astro-Zombies" drags from one scene to the next, with extensive screen time devoted to such thrilling pursuits as driving and walking. Most of the picture seemingly unfolds in real time, inspiring Mikels to keep filling the movie with nothingness, hoping to reach a 90 minute run time. He succeeds, but the audience ultimately loses.