Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

The Immortalizer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 26, 2020

Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” received critical accolades, Oscar gold, and a sizable box office haul with its homage to “The Twilight Zone” episode, “The Trade-Ins.” Imagine another pass at the premise, only without the social and racial commentary, the sleek cinematography, and the gradual rise of sinister business. 1989’s “The Immortalizer” has rampaging mutants, it’s that kind of movie, but it’s interesting to examine another take on the premise of the old looking to be young again via surgery, with brain-swapping mischief offered more of a low-budget horror event from director Joel Bender, the man who gave the world “Gas Pump Girls.” There’s nothing subtle about “The Immortalizer,” which largely gets by on scenes of wild behavior and mild chases, while Bender’s periodic visits to the gore zone give the picture a kick when it needs it. It’s not the maniac creation it could’ve been, but it has its moments, especially when the production embraces its sick side.

After spending the night with a horror movie and a pizza dinner, brothers Gregg (Chris Crone) and Darrell (Greg Joujon-Roche) elect to take a shortcut through an alley on their way home, joined by girlfriends June (Rebekka Armstrong) and Celia (Cynthia Chase). When the foursome is attacked by a gang of vicious mutants, their drugged bodies are returned to the Sea View Aging Therapy Clinic, with Dr. Devine (Ron Ray) and Nurse Blaine (Melody Patterson, an “F Troop” vet in her final film role) prepping the new arrivals for special surgical needs. Returning to consciousness early is Gregg, who gets an eyeful of the medical center’s evil plans, learning that the brains of wealthy, elderly clients are being transplanted into young bodies. Managing to escape, Gregg only encounters trouble from Sheriff Gantry (Bo Byers), who doesn’t believe the panicked man’s story.

The story for “The Immortalizer” should be terrifying, but Bender and screenwriter Mark M. Nelson don’t head into the direction of nightmare cinema. They’re out to make something goofier, covering for the lack of a sizable budget by playing Gregg’s battle for survival and credibility with a noticeable lightness. In fact, the feature isn’t even that bloody in its first half, spending more time setting up Gregg’s dire situation and Dr. Divine’s practice, with the medical professional sharing his weird science (a glowing “brain hormone” used to preserve the sellable goods) with a select few colleagues, while the real results of his experimentation remain locked up in the basement. These are the mutants, and they’re a nasty bunch, adding a monsterploitation element to “The Immortalizer,” which does well when exploring crazed goons and their dim-wit handlers, who maintain hospital control through the use of cattle prods. Of course, as these B-movies tend to go, the balance of power doesn’t last for long.

“The Immortalizer” tries to get something going with Gregg, a nervous guy who’s managed to escape from Sea View, have trouble convincing others of the establishment’s evil nature. He battles a cop and teams up with a concerned neighbor, planning to expose Dr. Divine with hard evidence. Bender doesn’t summon much suspense with the movie, but exploratory sequences are amusing, watching Gregg understand the method to the doctor’s madness, while his own brother suffers greatly during his stay. June and Celia endure their own journey while knocked out at the clinic, but the writing soon moves away from the younger characters, trying to get something going with the Sea View staff, who are a collection of duplicitous types. Subplots emerging here aren’t as pleasingly wacky as the rest of “The Immortalizer,” which is always more successful when dealing with cult movie highlights, including sequences devoted to brain surgery that, while crudely realized, are effective in their gross-out factor.

The Immortalizer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as "Newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm interpositive," the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Immortalizer" provides a highly detailed viewing experience, with the feature likely looking better than ever before. Textures with gore zone visits is distinct, showcasing mushy, wet brains and bloody wounds. Makeup efforts deliver rougher mutant particulars, highlighting decay. Costuming is fibrous, from medical gear to period wear. Colors also enjoy a boost of primaries from clothing, along with household interiors, with decorations and medical rooms brightly painted. Skintones are natural. Blood is a deep red, while the special "brain hormone" serum offers glowing green. Delineation is communicative. Grain is heavier but film-like. Source is in strong shape.

The Immortalizer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix supplies a wider listening event, utilizing some mild separation effects to detail mutant mayhem and hospital pursuits. Dialogue exchanges are extremely fresh and expressive, handing the nuances of human activity and monster attacks, provides a crisp read of performances. Scoring is enjoyable, offering the feature a clear sense of instrumentation and support. Sound effects are sharp, capturing squishy surgical nightmares and growly, cattle-prod waving mutant mayhem.

The Immortalizer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "A Philosophy of Light" (10:21, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Alan Caso, who was early into his career when he took the job on "The Immortalizer," still trying to establish his creative fingerprint. Recalling how he worked to find the look of the feature, Caso admits he was learning, finding the movie over lit today, also recalling numerous low-budget challenges that required immediate problem solving, taking time away from visual style. However, the interviewee was "happy to be there," learning the photochemical side of the vocation, which he notes was much different than today's digital technology. Caso provides an assessment of director Joel Bender, who brought his editing knowhow to the job. A brief listing of Los Angeles locations is offered, along with the memory of an abandoned kitten Caso adopted during the shoot. The conversation concludes with an understanding of "The Immortalizer" and its cult legacy, along with generational appreciation for this type of cinema.

• "Making a Crazy Movie" (8:11, HD) sits down with director Joel Bender, who recounts his early education in school and through Otto Preminger, meeting the filmmaker after writing him a fan letter. When his first picture, 1979's "Gas Pump Girls," did well, Bender traveled from New York to Los Angeles to continue his career. Finding the script for "The Immortalizer," Bender details location work, managing to cut a hole in the floor of a rented house. An appreciation of cinematographic efforts from Alan Caso is offered, casting is noted, and a push to create a "crazy world" with the material is highlighted. Bender also explores his fondness for editing and his surprise with the longevity of "The Immortalizer," looking forward to its Blu-ray debut.

• Promotional Still Gallery (:55) collects poster art, film stills, BTS snaps, and publicity photos.

• A Trailer has not been included.

The Immortalizer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Immortalizer" connects as escapism, hitting a few charmingly stupid ideas while trying to get something macabre going, and there's a genuinely fine performance from Ray at Dr. Divine, committing in full to everything presented to him. It's not exhaustive work from Bender, but he doesn't seem to be trying for that, simply out to showcase some makeup effects and manage a low-wattage chiller for those who live for this sort of thing.