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| Reviewed by: Jason White 02 Nov 2004 Species: Special Edition
| |  B-movie all the way, Species became a hit and has spawned two sequels. The third is direct to video though, and while sort of sucky, it has its own merits. The first though was the best, B-camp and all, and now MGM has gone back and revisited the title giving it some upgrades in the a/v area as well as the questionable special edition label.
The film is about those guys who patrol the skies for radio contact from afar finally getting a signal. Turns out to be a genetic blueprint and so those wacky scientists led by Ben Kingsley decide to follow the instructions. Sil, the alien/human genetic wonder girl is eventually deemed a project to be terminated, so she escapes to Los Angeles. Ben and assassin Michael Madsen along with an empath (Forest Whitaker) and biologist Marg Helgenberger set out to find her before she can mate and create more aliens to try and do whatever. Everyone she mates with dies though and plenty of action and gratuitous nudity follows as the hunters try to bring her down.
Species is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The transfer looks to be a new one but to be honest I haven’t seen the old one in quite a while now. Despite a few faults, the transfer here is pretty strong. The image is sharp and detailed and stays that way most of the time. Some areas of softness and grain do creep in to lessen definition but such is the way it goes for a slightly older film such as this one. The compression job is solid with no complaints or issues. The image is clear beyond the slight grain with natural coloring and good blacks.
Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio tracks are included. Being an older film, the 5.1 goodness is not all that good. Surround activity is limited. Quality is good in a very stereoesque way. Some good bass was present. Dialogue was clear throughout.
Extras begin with a commentary from director Roger Donaldson along with actors Natasha Henstridge and Michael Madsen. A second commentary from director Roger Donaldson, make-up effects creator Steve Johnson, producer Frank Mancuso and visual effects supervisor Richard Endlund provides you with the technical details as the actor one is a more look back sort of job. Species promos and stuff on Species III is present as are a few other MGM trailers.
While not a super special edition, getting a better transfer and improved audio is nice so I don’t mind the title. Specie is fun enough and Henstridge is super hot and naked quite often. Can’t go wrong with that. Dumb but fun, best way to sum this film up. Easily a step up from the prior DVD so if a fan then time to upgrade. |
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Copyright (c) 2007 Rock Star Media Works, Inc. All rights reserved.
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