Import Corner: Strange Invaders (1983) (Imprint Films) Blu-ray Review + 1080p Screenshots + Packaging Shots

Imprint Films brings Strange Invaders to blu-ray, for the first time in Australia, and it is cause for rejoice.

Studio: Imprint Films
Release Date: September 16th, 1983 (theatrical) / March 27th, 2024 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes 37 seconds
Region Code: FREE

Disc Count: 1 (BD-50)
Picture: 1080p (2.35:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: English LPCM 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes (slip box)
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Paul Le Mat, Nancy Allen, Diana Scarwid, Michael Lerner, Louise Fletcher
Written by Bill Condon, Michael Laughlin
Directed by Michael Laughlin
Rating: AUS: PG (mild themes, mild violence)

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Poster

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What's It About?

In 1958, the town of (fictionalized) Centreville, Illinois is invaded by extraterrestrial aliens. The invaders fire lasers from their eyes and hands and reduce humans to "crystallized" glowing blue orbs. They take over the form of the humans who were either captured or killed.

Twenty-five years later, Columbia University lecturer Charles Bigelow learns that his ex-wife, Margaret, has disappeared while attending her mother's funeral in Centerville, and travels there to find her. The disguised aliens all appear human and the town of Centerville appears to have not changed since 1958. The aliens try to capture Bigelow as he escapes, but only capture his dog, Louie.

Bigelow sees a photo of an alien in a tabloid magazine and, with the help of journalist Betty Walker, finds Margaret, who is now revealed to be one of the aliens. She warns Bigelow to escape with Elizabeth, their human/alien hybrid daughter, to protect her from the aliens, who want to take her to their home-world. Bigelow and Elizabeth escape from the departing alien ship and Betty's and the townsfolk's blue orbs are transformed back to their original human forms.

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Video/Audio

Presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, STRANGE INVADERS looks really good. The film was shot with a lot of soft focus shots which doesn't lead to that much in the way of detail. We do get upticks in hair and some facial detail but only a little. The whole film is not like this and those scenes do offer more in the way of detail. Colors are strong with the yellow of the light bulbs and the browns of just about every interior looking very nice. This is a good transfer that fans will enjoy.

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Extras/Packaging

Audio Commentary by co-writer/producer/director Michael Laughlin and co-writer Bill Condon

Isolated Score by composer John Addison (found in the set up menu only)

"Strange Films: The Unfinished Trilogy" - Video Essay by film historian Jarret Gahan (24m 51s, HD, 2.35:1) Strange Invaders is the second in a planned trilogy of films. The first was Strange Behavior. The third never got made. Gahan breaks down the two films and gives us a look at what the third one would have been.

Theatrical Trailer (1m 26s, HD, 1.78:1)

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Overall

I would not call STRANGE INVADERS exciting. This film gives us the sights and sounds of something that would keep your attention while providing a thrill. There is no thrill. It gives us the information but does it slowly. Too slowly. The film moves at a snail's pace and never "gets going". There is very little pushing the story forward. The main guy loses his daughter to the aliens and doesn't seem to be phased by it. He barely mentions it and when he does, it had been so far from the last time we saw the girl that I forgot she existed. Not good. I will say that most of the actors are good, but there are some stinkers here. The best thing about the film is the special effects are very well done. The space ship at the beginning and end looks incredible. I am not a fan of this film but I get why many are.

Imprint Films has given STRANGE INVADERS a nice blu-ray. The picture and audio quality are satisfying and the special features are interesting. The commentary track is informative and laid back and the video essay about the planned trilogy with STRANGE INVADERS being the second film in said trilogy is right up my alley. I love features like this and wish we got more of them. Overall, I liked this release despite the fact that I did not like the film.

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Extras/Menus