Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Voyage of the Rock Aliens Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 13, 2022

1984’s “Voyage of the Rock Aliens” (titled “When the Rain Begins to Fall” on the Blu-ray print) was initially conceived as a parody of B-movies from the 1950s, when teenagers ruled the world, monsters occasionally interrupted the fun, and love (mostly lust) was in the air as high school happenings carried on. During development, the project became a musical, perhaps to cash-in on the MTV craze, which saw numerous films enjoy a bump at the box office due to their slick visuals and stacked soundtrack. “Voyage of the Rock Aliens” isn’t a glossy effort, stuck between comedy antics and musical presentations, with director James Fargo (“The Enforcer,” “Every Which Way But Loose”) trying to find a balance to the chaos that often takes over the feature. It’s a highly weird offering of screen spirit and music genres, and a picture that tends to go wherever it wants to, trusting in the might of a hit single to support the whole endeavor.

Aliens making their way through the galaxy onboard a space ship shaped like an electric guitar, ABCD (Tom Nolan), EFGHI (Jeffrey Casey), JKLM (Gregory Bond), NOPQR (Craig Jensen), STUVWXYZ (Patrick Byrnes), and AEIOU (Marc Jackson) are meant to be on a scientific mission, but the lure of rock music proves to be too much. Joined by robot companion 1349 (voiced by Peter Cullen), the visitors decide to travel to Earth, landing in the polluted town of Speelburgh, which is ruled by Frankie (Craig Sheffer) and his rockabilly band, The Pack. Frankie’s girlfriend, Dee Dee (Pia Zadora), dreams of singing as well, but he denies her wishes, while ABCD falls in love at first sight with the depressed high school student. Giving her a chance to express herself, ABCD and the aliens provide musical backing for Dee Dee, and they also cause trouble around town, unleashing maniacs (including Michael Berryman), confounding the local sheriff (Ruth Gordon), and enraging Frankie.

The story of “Voyage of the Rock Aliens” is offered an immediate delay, with the production electing to open the picture with a music video for “When the Rain Begins to Fall,” crudely disguised here as a clip of life on another planet. The audience is treated to a Jermaine Jackson/Pia Zadora tune (shot almost a year after principal photography), giving the film ten minutes of padding to help with run time issues, also providing the big hit song of the movie without delay, hoping to charm viewers. It’s definitely a choice by the producers, and “Voyage of the Rock Aliens” quickly returns to its original vision, which has a handful of spacemen preparing to visit Earth, on the hunt for the sweet tunes they’ve picked up on their space ship, with 1359 the voice of reason ABCD chooses to ignore.

The aliens enter an odd world (via a phone booth) where the 1950s and New Wave sounds coexist, trying to get their minds around this strange land, which is dominated by the openly hostile ways of Frankie. He’s supposed to be a lost soul, but Sheffer plays him as a complete creep, which confuses the relationship the gang leader shares with Dee Dee, finding their love story ineffective. More entertaining are the aliens, who explore their surroundings, play a few songs, and create a sexual stimulator device to help attract women, but the frequency only triggers men. They’re like Devo, and Dee Dee is from “Xanadu,” making for some kooky musical numbers, but “Voyage of the Rock Aliens” works hard to entertain, offering lively choreography and varied tunes, which carry the viewing experience.

Voyage of the Rock Aliens Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Voyage of the Rock Aliens" is sourced from a 2K scan of the 35mm interpositive. Vinegar Syndrome fully refreshes the obscure title for its cult fanbase, delivering a textured look at screen events. Detail is strong on facial particulars and costuming, with the pop outfits and alien gear retaining fibrousness. Frame information is open to examination, keeping decorative additions clear. Exteriors are dimensional. Color is vivid, enjoying the lively period hues of the endeavor, which favors pinks and whites, and primaries are distinct, along with greenery. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy but film-like. Source is in good condition.

Voyage of the Rock Aliens Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix for "Voyage of the Rock Aliens" (listed as 2.0 on the packaging) offers a frontal listening experience, securing clean dialogue exchanges from a variety of performances, including some electronic filtering for a robot character. Musical performances emerge with authority, with crisp vocals and defined instrumentation, visiting various genres, including pop tunes that provide a heavier beat.

Voyage of the Rock Aliens Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Embarking on a Voyage" (40:50, HD) is the making-of for "Voyage of the Rock Aliens," featuring interviews with executive producer Max A. Keller, producer Micheline H. Keller, miniature designer Anton Tremblay, special effects technician Dwight Roberts, wardrobe assistant Donzaleigh Abernathy, actor Michael Berryman, and writer/producer Charles Hairston. Early career interests are recalled, with production participants drawn to the material due to its lightness, but the original idea wasn't conceived as a musical. Financier Meshulam Riklis was hunting for material to star his wife, Pia Zadora, giving the Kellers a chance to make "Voyage of the Rock Aliens" without studio interference. Most of the feature was shot in Atlanta, and the interviewees share their memories of the production experience, with Abernathy quickly earning co-star Ruth Gordon's trust. The challenges of a changing title sequence are detailed, and the effort to add a Jermaine Jackson video to the picture is recalled. Post-production is explored, with Riklis taking over editing, inspiring director James Fargo to quit, also helping to kill any theatrical release when the moneyman simply wanted to bury the endeavor. A VHS release brought the movie to the masses, and the interviewees seem happy with the final product.

• "Where They Are Now" (48:39, HD) is an interview with the band Rhema, featuring members Jeffrey Casey, Marc Jackson, Craig Jensen, Patrick Byrnes, and Gregory Bond. Beginning life as a Christian band, Rhema found their way to a techno pop sound of the 1980s, concentrating their efforts on the Phoenix music scene. Movie producer attention was achieved when "Voyage of the Rock Aliens" was preparing for production, putting the band to work in music showcases, finally hired for the gig. Acting challenges were unexpected, requiring the use of a coach, and on-set life is recalled through numerous anecdotes, including medical issues, nerves, and one member's accidental physical contact with Pia Zadora. Post-"Voyage of the Rock Aliens" life is analyzed, handling a breakup in the 1980s and a recent reunion organized to celebrate the cult longevity of the film.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Voyage of the Rock Aliens Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Many things fail to connect in "Voyage of the Rock Aliens," including Frankie's emotional realizations and limp shenanigans from prison hospital escapees, presented here for slapstick purposes. It's much more confident in musical mode, with Zadora working hard to own her scenes, and the soundtrack has its moments, aiming to inspire some excitement and laughs during the run time. "Voyage of the Rock Aliens" lacks consistency and a finer sense of satire, but it has bigness at times, which helps to charm viewers when storytelling falters.