Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Uninvited Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 5, 2019

Writer/director Greyson Clark is one of the more famous names in the B-movie business. For about 25 years, Clark churned out a number of low- budget endeavors, working to cash in on Hollywood and pop culture trends with his own vision for mass entertainment. The helmer of “Joysticks,” “Satan’s Cheerleaders,” and “Lambada: The Forbidden Dance,” Clark isn’t one for filmmaking finesse, but there’s a certain low-wattage pluck to his endeavors. Such minimal expectations should be applied to 1987’s “Uninvited,” with Clark attempting to make a creature feature on a boat, gifting himself enough isolation to invent horrors plaguing a varied collection of characters. “Uninvited” has the right idea but often the wrong execution, with Clark not quite covering his seams with this effort, getting a little too sloppy at times with surefire ideas for no-budget excitement. Production polish isn’t available, but there’s always the simple pleasure of a plot that involves roving attacks from a mutant cat.

Breaking out of a research facility, a cat with strange mutations has found its way into the outside world, containing toxic blood that destroys the flesh of those it infects with its bite. The cat makes its way to Miami, discovered by Bobbie (Clare Carey) and Suzanne (Shari Shattuck), two party girls who’ve recently joined forces with Corey (Rob Estes), Lance (Beau Dremann), and Martin (Eric Larson), three college guys searching for fun on spring break, with the group finding themselves onboard a yacht owned by Walter (Alex Cord), a bigshot wall street crook protected by goons Mike (George Kennedy) and Albert (Clu Gulager). While Walter is looking to creep on the girls, he has a mission to race to the Cayman Islands and transfer millions before an SEC investigation begins, with Captain Rachel (Toni Hudson) ordered to make record time to their destination while the group finds ways to party and intimidate one another. While humans deal with their insecurities, the cat stalks the ship, transforming into a monster feline that picks off the guests one by one.

We meet the cat in the opening scene of “Uninvited.” The feline is a prisoner in a research lab, about to injected with some type of mad science cocktail, managing to escape and head into the parking garage, pursued by a collection of security officers and project leaders. The move to an easily accessible public space is expected, and Clark tries to give his movie an introductory jolt, conjuring some simple suspense while the evil humans search for their elusive target, and there’s also the cat, who isn’t a normal household pet, but some type of mutant creation hiding inside a seemingly normal animal, emerging through its mouth to bite into victims. Think the xenomorph from “Alien,” only without the budget, design achievements, and it’s entirely a hand puppet (Clark, bless his heart, fails to conceal the puppeteer on a few occasions).

Such a threat is passably interesting, offering “Uninvited” necessary weirdness to inspire the first half of the movie. However, there must be victims to devour, and the screenplay aims to generate awkwardness with the meeting of corrupt Wall Street villains and horndog youth looking for adventure during spring break. A lot of screen time is devoted to the survey of this union, with Bobbie and Suzanne using their natural appeal to charm Walter into a free yacht trip, while the college bros go along for the ride, soon ordered to fill in for the missing crew when vacation dreams are burst by demands from Walter, who’s ready to paw younger women and collect a fortune in the Cayman Islands. Clark orders up parties and mild confrontations, also connecting Rachel and Martin (a biology student), with the twosome representing the sensible ones on the boat. At least sensible enough to recognize danger when they see it. The rest of the gang isn’t quite as sharp, often walking into dangerous situations and shadowy corners, and when bodies start piling up, they make time for sex. Because that’s what one does when there’s a killer mutant cat on the loose.

Uninvited Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Uninvited" is pulled from the VHS and DVD depths with a new Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome, who deliver a "Newly scanned & restored in 4K" look at the picture, from the original camera negative. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation looks terrific, with heavier grain that remains filmic. Detail survives throughout, surveying ship interiors with various rooms and set decorations. Monster cat views are defined as well, securing rubbery textures and rough fur. Skin surfaces are intact, offering looks at aging stars and fine hairs. Clothing also stays fibrous, dealing with the smoothness of swimwear and the thickness of heavier suits. Colors are vivid, leading with bright blue skies and choppy waters. Costuming is also appealing, moving from period hues to more businesslike attire, and the feline star keeps its orange appearance throughout. Skintones are natural. Delineation captures evening activities and tight, unlit corners of the yacht. Source is in good shape, lacking any major areas of damage. Very mild judder is detected.

Uninvited Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a reasonable listening event for "Uninvited." It's not the most technically capable movie made, with the production struggling with sound recording at times, making some dialogue exchanges slightly muffled. Overall clarity isn't completely threatened, with panic attacks and monster appearances staying within a comfortable range. Scoring is mild but supportive, with a push of weak synth trying to stir up suspense needs. Sound effects are a little too soft at times, muting gun shots and physical violence, but this appears to be an inherent issue. Around the hour mark, there's a brief bit of warping.

Uninvited Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Alternate International Cut (92:55, HD) offers a slightly expanded version of "Uninvited," and one that spends more time on character (including an explanation concerning how the college guys made their way to Florida in the first place) and offers a different final scene.

• Commentary features writer/director Greydon Clark.

• "That Darn Mutant Cat" (9:53, HD) is a slightly somber conversation with cinematographer Nicholas von Sternberg, who briefly recounts the shooting experience for "Uninvited," which lasted 18 days, with most of them on a rented yacht that offered limited lighting and angle options. Sternberg shares an amusing anecdote about one crew member's lateness, but mostly admits disappointment with the final product, disparaging the mutant cat effects. There's talk of the cast and the ease of working with Clark, but once Sternberg begins to recall other highlights from his career, he turns blue again, admitting he quit the business due to limited pride in the projects he was taking.

• And a Trailer (2:22, SD) is included.

Uninvited Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Uninvited" is enjoyable when wading through B-movie cliches and offering characters addicted to bad decisions. The second half doesn't contain the same liveliness, slipping into hopelessness as the survivors are stranded at sea, unable to go anywhere as supplies run out. Clark allows the picture to slacken as it goes, perhaps taking it all a bit too seriously in the third act. The limited pleasures of "Uninvited" are primarily contained to monster matters, and while the cat effect isn't great, the creature's rampage is the best thing about a feature that could always use grislier interactions with a crazed feline.