5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In Italy during WW II, a patrol of American soldiers discover a space ship that has crash-landed in the woods, and they come across its alien crew. A nearby Nazi unit also finds out about the alien craft, and sends a patrol to capture it and the Americans.
Starring: Tim Thomerson, Timothy Van Patten, Art LaFleur, Biff Manard, Max TurilliHorror | 100% |
War | Insignificant |
Sci-Fi | 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
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
“Zone Troopers” is an imaginative idea in search of a proper budget. It’s a B-movie from 1985 (co-produced by Charles Band), telling the story of an alien invasion during World War II, but instead of expanse, battling ships, and masses of military men charging into battle, the feature is mostly contained to modest forest settings, working with only a handful of cast members. Co-writer/director Danny Bilson is skilled enough to secure a few highlights along the journey, playing enthusiastically with war film formula and archetype, but he doesn’t have enough money to bring his eerie vision to life. Instead of non-stop thrills and chills, “Zone Troopers” is deliberate, often static, trying to milk its inviting premise as much as it can before the audience gradually becomes aware that instead of unleashing sci-fi mayhem, the feature is primarily contained to crusty banter and periodic action. The effort certainly isn’t “War of the Worlds.”
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't provide a substantially fresh visual experience, but the particulars of this B-movie remain in view. Detail is satisfactory, surveying the textures on war machinery and uniforms, and close-ups remain interesting, especially when the Alien is introduced and make-up work is opened for inspection. Grain is fine and filmic. Colors are acceptable, keeping to a muted military look until the space invaders arrive, bringing with them a brighter, slightly more pastel palette. Delineation is passable, but rarely challenged, finding spaceship interiors holding distances and dark corners. Source is in nice shape, only really displaying some speckling, lacking significant points of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix does reach a few sharp highs as it explores combat sequences and heated interactions, but these moments are minimal. The overall order of the track is passable, with strong dialogue exchanges that preserve broad performances and German intimidation (which isn't subtitled). Music isn't dense, but it carries securely, supporting as instructed, boosted by a few big band numbers along the way. Atmospherics are healthy, isolating alien ship particulars and firefights, with atmospheric changes are communicated well. Larger sound effects, including alien lasers, are crisp and defined.
The cover art for the "Zone Troopers" Blu-ray is hilariously misleading, promising flying saucers raining fire down on military forces, conjuring a vision of sci-fi escapism on a blockbuster level. The picture isn't that. At all. While there are plenty of shootouts and some large explosions, "Zone Troopers" is basically contained to the outdoors, discussing the concern of men surrounded by threat instead of showing such suspense. That's not to suggest the feature is boring, but it doesn't achieve a rolling sense of incident and escalation, held down by its budgetary limitations. It's a feature that needs to be met with reduced expectations, giving Bilson's vision for cinematic tributes and B-movie particulars a chance to click with audiences on a more realistic level.
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