My Stepmother is an Alien (Arrow Video) Blu-ray Review

Take a trip back to the wonderful year of 1988 as we take a look at the brand new blu-ray from Arrow Video, for the sci-fi romantic comedy, My Stepmother is an Alien.

Studio: Arrow Video

Release Date: December 9th, 1988 (theatrical)

                            December 14th, 2021 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 
Region Code: FREE
Picture: 1080p (1.85:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: English LPCM 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: No
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Kim Basinger, Jon Lovitz, Alyson Hannigan, Joseph Maher, Seth Green, and Ann Prentiss
Written by Jerico Stone, Herschel Weingrod, Timothy Harris, and Jonathan Reynolds

Directed by Richard Benjamin
Rating: PG-13 (sexual content)

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Poster

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What's It About?

When widowed astronomer Steve Mills (Aykroyd) inadvertently causes a gravitational disruption in deep space, a race of hyper-advanced alien lifeforms sends one of their own to investigate, disguised in the alluring human form of Celeste (Basinger). Tasked with seducing the lovelorn Steve in a bid to gain access to his scientific research, Celeste finds herself falling for the man she’s been sent to swindle. But they’ve reckoned without Steve’s young daughter Jessie (Alyson Hannigan, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), who’s none too thrilled by the prospect of a new mother – especially not one from another planet.

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Film Review

I remember when MY STEPMOTHER IS AN ALIEN was released in 1988. There was a pretty big buzz surrounding the film. Dan Aykroyd was obviously a big star thanks to GHOSTBUSTERS and Kim Basinger had just come off of the hit 9 1/2 WEEKS, so there was some serious star power on display. So, when the film came out and did ok, it was weird. Usually, something like this would have made two or three times what it actually made, so was it a dud?

Yes, it was. I don't like MY STEPMOTHER IS AN ALIEN. I like the actors involved. Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger have some decent chemistry together and I also liked the relationship between Aykroyd and his daughter, played by Alyson Hannigan of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and AMERICAN PIE. They actually have the best relationship in the film. Basinger is also a very gifted comedian who dives head first into this role. The film plays like an old 40's comedy and there are some laughs, but not enough. Basinger, however, is great here. She shows that she can handle comedy with the best of them. 

In the only interview found on this disc, director Richard Benjamin talks about how the film was originally a horror film before he came on to the project. You can definitely see this throughout the film, but especially during the climax of the film. While it kind of works as a comedy, I would have loved to see this as a horror film. I think it would have worked better. They could have still had some of the comedy, but they could have mixed it with some great horror set-pieces.

As it stands, MY STEPMOTHER IS AN ALIEN is a decent romantic comedy with some good laughs, but not enough to sustain the whole film. 

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Video/Audio

Taken from a 2K restoration and presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, MY STEPMOTHER IS AN ALIEN looks really great. The film uses colors fairly well, the red of Kim Basinger's dress when she first comes to Earth, looks really great. There is a thin layer of grain and we some nice detail. This is a really nice transfer that makes the film look outstanding. 

The LPCM track here gets the job done. Dialogue is crisp and clear and everything is nicely balanced. 

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Extras/Packaging

First off we have a commentary track from film critic Bryan Reesman. I have never heard of this person before, so I can't say whether they have been good or not in the past, he is pretty good here, giving a lot of information about the cast and crew and tidbits and stories along the way.

Next, we have an interview with director Richard Benjamin, done through Zoom or another platform like that. He gives us a history of the project, including that the film was originally written as a horror film. When he came on, he had the film rewritten to fit his comedic talents. He praises his cast, especially Kim Basinger. A quality interview.

Finally, we have the film's trailer and an image gallery.

• Audio commentary from film critic Bryan Reesman
• Cosmetic Encounters: Directing My Stepmother is an Alien (14m 8s, HD, 1.78:1)
• Image Gallery (12 images)
• Trailer (32s, SD, 1.33:1)

Arrow has given this blu-ray release a nice slipcover and a booklet. The photos below were taken from Arrow Video's Facebook page and I make no claim to them. I have included them here to illustrate what the packaging looks like. 

Photo taken from Arrow Video's Facebook page

Photo taken from Arrow Video's Facebook page

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Overall

While I do not like MY STEPMOTHER IS AN ALIEN, I do recognize that there are plenty of people out who do and I never want to take joy away from people. Arrow really did a good job with this release. You get a brand new transfer for the film, something that has been needed for a long time now. We get some pretty good special features and the packaging is nice. Overall, a nice release for fans of the film.