4K Extremely HD film evaluations: ‘Thriller Males’ and ‘The Return of Swamp Factor’

Right here’s a take a look at just a few cult-favorite movies starring superpowered beings and now obtainable within the ultra-high definition format.

Thriller Males (Kino Lorber, rated PG-13, 1.85:1 facet ratio, 121 minutes, $39.95) — Director Kinka Usher’s loosely based mostly 1999 adaptation of Bob Burden’s quirky comedian guide sequence that co-starred a bumbling superhero group was a big-budgeted flop however without end stays a cult traditional.

The superpowered spoof took viewers to Champion Metropolis to fulfill Captain Wonderful (Greg Kinnear), a hero out of supervillains to combat however all the time able to take one other profitable endorsement deal.

To maintain busy, his alter ego Lance Hunt convinces the parole board to launch archenemy Casanova Frankenstein (Jeffrey Rush) who shortly kidnaps the superhero and threatens to kill him.

A gaggle of insufficient heroes band collectively to rescue him together with Mr. Livid (Ben Stiller), powered with boundless rage however no powers; Blue Raja (Hank Azaria), a utensil-flinging dork with a faux British accent; the Shoveler (William H. Macy), a father who wields a shovel; the Bowler (Janeane Garofalo), who fights crime along with her father’s cranium inside a bowling ball; Spleen (Paul Reubens), energy by a gassy disposition; and Invisible Boy (Kel Mitchell), solely invisible when nobody is watching.

Yeah, that’s a powerful ensemble forged, full of comedians supplemented by extra various casting decisions together with musician Tom Waits as a nonlethal weapons designer, Doug Jones (Hellboy’s Abe Sapien)  because the hero Pencilhead, Louise Lasser (“Mary Hartman”) as Blue Raja’s mom and even director Michael Bay as a Frat Boy gang member.

It’s apparent after a contemporary viewing that Mr. Usher’s skewering of the superhero style was forward of its time, and followers of the style will actually admire it.

For its launch on 4K Extremely HD, artisans created a brand new 4K scan from the unique digital camera unfavorable with excessive dynamic vary grading, and the wonderful screen-bursting outcomes are visually crisp and hue-saturated.

Moments price an examination embody the fiery destruction of a felony asylum; a cracked desert panorama with a beat-up, child blue station wagon driving throughout it; a neon-green twister sucking the Spleen into the air; Frankenstein’s lair’s ornate hearth mantle incorporating three statues of feminine torsos; and the Spleen and Invisible Child standing in entrance a full moon.

Finest extras: The 4K and included Blu-ray disc model of the movie supply a classic commentary observe from 2000 with Mr. Usher that has him usually remind us how every little thing was nice in the course of the manufacturing.

He factors out actors’ performances and ad-libbing, costuming, make-up and visible results design heightening the humor; and he regrets chopping a lot of stuff in scenes on account of lack of ultimate run time.

The Blu-ray disc additionally comprises a sequence of latest interviews, obtainable for the primary time within the American residence leisure market, that includes 23 minutes with the director, 12 minutes with costume designer Marilyn Vance, 9 minutes with results supervisor Todd Tucker and 9 minutes with movie music historian Daniel Schweiger.

Additionally included is a classic episode from the sequence “Highlight on Location” from 2000 overlaying the making of the “Thriller Males.”

The Return of Swamp Factor (Lightyear Leisure, rated PG-13, 1.85:1 facet ratio, 88 minutes, $49.95) — A sequel seven years within the making got here out in 1989 to once more showcase DC Comics’ famed plant-man in a live-action format.

Nevertheless, the tip results of director Jim Wynorski effort moved from the intriguing horror themes of Wes Craven’s authentic film to loading up the camp and provided a B-movie dud, awkwardly acted and loaded with tacky motion.

Surprisingly, legend Louis Jourdan returned because the resurrected genetic scientist Dr. Anton Arcane, now in full Dr. Moreau mode, and creating creature-human hybrid mutations almost on demand with the last word aim of reaching immortality.

His plot in the end required the DNA of his deceased spouse and enter Heather Locklear, as stepdaughter Abby, to assist with that. On a warpath to cease Dr. Arcane is the Swamp Factor aka Alec Holland (Dick Durock) who takes a liking to the stepdaughter who additionally finds him fairly the masculine foliage.

As a result of a minuscule price range, the film suffers particularly with sensible results one would discover in “The Poisonous Avenger” movie and a few horrible rotoscoped lighting results that seem like they belong on Saturday morning reveals.

The choice to have two annoying children popping up that seem like they appeared in an “Our Gang” comedy additionally doesn’t assist.

The perfect a part of the film is the opening credit, providing a montage of the Swamp Factor’s appearances in comedian books with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Born on the Bayou” enjoying within the background.

The 4K restoration, derived from the unique, interpositive movie inventory provides excessive dynamic vary enhancements and, regardless of the preponderous of dark-green muck within the swamps, delivers a pointy, optimum viewing expertise. 

The rubber prosthetic creatures look crisp, gooey and slimy, particularly the leech man and cockroach man. The Swamp Factor’s costume, specifically, is price inspecting for the detailed textures. His resurrection in a bath presents a full gamut of inexperienced shades together with florescent hues.

Finest extras: The 4K disc presents a brand new digital goodie, an interview with producer and comedian guide aficionado Michael Uslan.

After delivering a quick historical past of comedian books and superhero motion pictures, he remembers such manufacturing nuggets because the swamp was filled with tannic acid that melted the make-up equipment glue; out-of-control “Dynasty” followers have been imply to Ms. Locklear; Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee (courting Ms. Locklear on the time) taking pictures machine weapons with blanks on set; the stringent price range points; blowing up a college; and the significance of the Swamp Factor comedian guide sequence,

Pop within the Blu-ray disc for a similar extras because the 2018 MVD launch (truly it’s the MVD disc included) that first has a pair of commentary tracks, one from 2018 with Mr. Wynorski, composer Chuck Cirino and editor Leslie Rosenthal, and an much more classic observe from 2003 with Mr. Wynorski.

Subsequent, extra interviews (that generally duplicate the commentary tracks) supply 17 minutes with the director (remarking Jourdan was a “ache within the butt”); 5 minutes with producer Arnie Holland (obtained Ms. Locklear an interview with Howard Stern); seven minutes with Mr. Cirino (needed to musically match Jourdan enjoying random piano notes throughout a scene); and 9 minutes with Miss Rosenthal (reminiscing about chopping up classic comedian books for the opening).