Shadowzone (1990) (Full Moon Features) Blu-ray Review + 1080p Screenshots + Packaging Shots

Full Moon Features brings one of their earliest films to blu-ray with some nice results.

Studio: Full Moon Features
Release Date: January 12th, 1990 (video premiere) / May 7th, 2024 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 28 minutes 23 seconds
Region Code: FREE

Disc Count: 1 (BD-25)
Picture: 1080p (1.78:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: English Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: No
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Louise Fletcher, David Beecroft, James Hong, Miguel A. Núñez, Jr.
Written by J. S. Cardone
Directed by J. S. Cardone
Rating: R (strong horror violence and gore, nudity, and some language)

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Poster

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What's It About?

A group of NASA hyper-sleep researchers are conducting tests in an abandoned underground facility in the Nevada desert. One subject has died during the test, and NASA has sent Captain Hickock to investigate. What he finds is more horrific than the death itself. The scientists, guided by Dr. Erhart (Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST) and Dr. Van Fleet (James Hong, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA) have broken the boundaries of dream-state sleep and have tapped into a parallel dimension, ushering in an evil alien being that can assume any life form it chooses. Can our heroes survive the horror of the SHADOWZONE?

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Video/Audio

Presented in almost the film's original aspect of 1.78:1, SHADOWZONE looks good. A very thin layer of grain produces some very nice detail. Colors are good as are skin tones. The picture has not been cleaned up at all which means we get some scratches and whatnot every once in a while. This is a good remaster that brings the film to the 21st century very nicely.

The English Dolby Digital 2.0 track gets the job done. It's not lossless but that's ok. It sounds good.

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Extras/Packaging

Freakshow Podcast Ad (1m HD, 1.78:1) This plays at the start of the disc.

Full Moon Universe Ad (30s, HD, 1.78:1) This is an ad for Full Moon's YouTube channel that plays at the start of the disc

Original Trailer (1m 35s, HD, 1.78:1) This is the original trailer but with the remasted footage.

Full Moon Trailers

Bad CGI Gator (1m 52s, HD, 1.78:1)
Bring Her to Me (1m 43s, HD, 1.78:1)
Aimee (1m 43s, HD, 2:1)
Doktor Death (1m 49s, HD, 1.78:1)
Don't Let Her In (1m 43s, HD, 1.78:1)
Subspecies 5: Bloodrise (2m 18s, HD, 2.40:1)

Packaging is pretty basic but fine. The film's original poster / VHS artwork is here along with the blu-ray disc that features a variation of the above mentioned artwork.

The disc is REGION FREE

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Overall

SHADOWZONE is a lot of fun. The film is a single location film and it reminded me of CREEPOZOIDS while others say ALIENS. I can see both. I loved the effects here and there are plenty on display. The cast here is rather amazing. You get Oscar Winner Lousie Fletcher, Screen Actors Guild Award Winner James Hong, and Miguel "Ooo Baby, oo baby" Nunez Jr. I was actually kind of surprised by this cast and none of them are slumming it. Sure, they are giving award winning performances but they all believable and that is good enough for me. SHADOWZONE is a good flick that I can recommend to those who love films like this.

Full Moon Features has done a good job bringing SHADOWZONE to blu-ray. This is advertised as a "remaster" and it looks like it. The picture is great while the audio is fine. There aren't any special features beyond the film's trailer and trailers for newer Full Moon Features films. I don't think there was a Videozone made for this one (for some reason) so there isn't much in the way of behind the scenes stuff to include. Still, this is a blu-ray worthy of your collection.

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Video