5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Aliens punish one of their own by sending him to earth. The alien is very violent, and when the body he occupies is damaged, he is forced to find another.
Starring: Rae Dawn Chong, Don Gordon, Tom Towles, Robert Dryer, Antonio FargasHorror | 100% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo verified
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Director John McNaughton made a strong impression with his filmmaking debut, 1986’s “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.” The potent horror movie launched the helmer as someone to watch, but it took some time for McNaughton to follow up his initial offering, returning in 1991 with “The Borrower,” which is also a genre offering, but lacks the illness of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.” McNaughton attempts to get a little broader with his follow-up, ditching grit and shock value for a flatter take on violence, flirting with sci-fi touches for “The Borrower,” which tracks an alien serial killer’s experience mangling human prey on Earth. It’s not exactly a radical step forward for McNaughton, and his limited experience shows throughout the endeavor, which whiffs with dark comedy and seems genuinely confused when it comes to storytelling. It’s a scattered feature that never comes together with authority, though it does work as a highlight reel of practical effects, with gory encounters and strange visions easily becoming the best parts of this uneven picture.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a passably detailed look at the grisly particulars of "The Borrower." Textures are largely intact, exploring gory makeup effects and rough skin surfaces. Tattered costuming and assorted police officer and punk gear is fibrous. Street exteriors are dimensional, offering a clear look at L.A. tours. Colors are defined, with hotter neon and store signage memorable, while the redness of Diana's outfits and lipstick offers some pop. Skintones are natural, and sickly hues from the changing heads register as intended. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix struggles with the overall sound quality of "The Borrower," as the production doesn't exactly aim for quality work. Perhaps age plays a part in the slight muddiness of the track, which doesn't offer defined dialogue exchanges. Emotional emphasis isn't compelling, but unintelligibility isn't a major problem. Scoring cues and soundtrack selections supply a more powerful presence, with passable instrumentation. Sound effects are adequate, lacking snap with gunfire.
"The Borrower" doesn't develop much suspense as it unfolds, but it does provide some enjoyable makeup effects, detailing goopy neck trauma and exploding heads, also including man-sized insects and assorted oddities. Gross-outs are fun to watch, with some care put into the horror elements of the production. It's the rest of the feature that remains frustratingly underwhelming, as the writing remains scattered, never coming together as a grand overview of alien and human violence, and asides with victims and bystanders (including Madchen Amick in one of her earliest film roles) slow the pace of the effort, almost reaching filler status as McNaughton loses contact with whatever central idea drew him to the project in the first place. He's never been a consistent helmer, but McNaughton seems genuinely bewildered by his creative mission with "The Borrower," offering a disorganized, almost rambling take on serial killer happenings.
Director's Cut
1986
2015
Collector's Edition
2006
2001
2018
2013
2018
2017
Deadly Neighbor | Limited Collector's Edition
1980
Alien Zone / Zone of the Dead / Five Faces of Terror / Last Stop on 13th St. | Slipcover Limited to 1,500
1978
1982
2010
The Director's Cut
1997
2005
2013
1986
2011
1986
2019
2019