7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Fifty spaceships, each three miles across, hover ominously above Earth's major cities. The Visitors that emerge are humanlike in appearance and extend the hand of friendship. Our planet's resources are just what these aliens need to survive. And for its future survival, unsuspecting humankind will need...a miracle! Kenneth Johnson's science-fiction spectacular V mixes dynamic special effects with cliffhanger thrills. As fascist rule enslaves the globe, freedom fighters battle to save our species from reptilian invaders who hide behind sleek uniforms and benevolent behavior.
Starring: Jane Badler, Marc Singer (I), Faye Grant, Robert Englund, Neva PattersonSci-Fi | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
36 years ago, there were three network television channels. When one of them wanted to command the viewing audience, it required something major to capture national attention. Many mini-series attempted epic storytelling, scoring with high drama over multiple nights. 1983’s “V: The Original Mini-Series” offered such an invitation, but added a cherry on top: the lure of sci-fi extravaganza on the small screen. This wasn’t simply appointment television, it as a country-wide event, with most televisions tuned into the NBC broadcast for two consecutive nights, devouring the tale of an alien visitation that slowly turns into an invasion. Writer/director Kenneth Johnson takes the entertainment challenge seriously, striving to transform “V” into a major show of force, with unusually sophisticated special effects for the medium and a screenplay that turned into history’s battles with hostile takeovers and fascism into an action-oriented ride of spaceships, lizard people, and warfare across Los Angeles. Johnson isn’t sculpting with precision here, but his vision for a T.V. blockbuster in the “Star Wars” age is incredibly entertaining and, at times, thought-provoking.
Originally issued on DVD back in 2001, "V: The Original Mini-Series" makes the transition to HD with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Detail is satisfactory, showcasing the production's achievements in costuming and practical effects, and also identifying a few shortcuts in the post-production process, making it fun to see the artistry of the show as it tries to conjure an alien invasion with budget and technical limitations. Facial surfaces are reasonably textured, capturing human and lizard particulars, and expanse is protected, preserving distances. Colors are alert, with bold crimson on the Visitor uniforms, and green skin is enjoyably emphasized. Earthly encounters retain California greenery, and Visitor mothership interiors maintain their industrial appearance. Skintones are natural. Delineation is communicative. Grain fluctuates in intensity but remains film-like, and framing is comfortable throughout. Source is in ideal condition, with no major stretches of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a powerful understanding of the "V" listening experience, offering a wide, deep track that communicates production essentials. Dialogue exchanges are easily discernable, with human interactions more emotionally detailed, while Visitor conversations retain their alien distortion. Scoring is defined with appealing instrumentation, from grand heroic themes to softer string plucking. Sound effects are aggressive, handling the laser whizzes of Visitor weaponry and swooping alien aircraft as chases take to the skies. Explosions have some depth as well. Community atmospherics are understood, along with mothership engine hum.
"V" is very broad at times, but that's not problematic. Johnson is aiming for something specific with the production, mixing a history lesson with bold dramatics, and his assembly of design elements is impressive, with engaging special effects and displays of Visitor spacecraft. Make-up achievements are outstanding as well, capturing the reptilian reality that lies underneath alien synthetic skin. It's a well-produced mini-series with more on its mind than simple entertainment, but that's present as well, providing a closer that promises bigger and better things for the storyline, which was eventually worn down by the popcorn antics of 1984's "V: The Final Battle" (which weirdly ignores Johnson's enticing set-up for a sequel) and the short-lived "V: The Series." However, for two nights in the spring of 1983, "V: The Original Mini-Series" was able to bring spectacle to television, doing so with flavorful performances, striking moviemaking artistry, and the can't-lose appeal of laser battles and soaring spaceships, helping to digest the education Johnson is trying to impart.
Warner Archive Collection
1984
1984-1985
2009-2010
1966
2015
Ultimate Collector's Edition
1986
40th Anniversary Edition
1979
40th Anniversary Edition
1984
1992
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1978-1980
1997
2009
2019
1999
2000
1990
1990
1987
2019
Special Edition
2000