Alien Origin Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Alien Origin" on Blu-ray is an immersive journey predominantly through a palette of greens. From the lushness of verdant vegetation to the variable shades of military camo and the eerie hues of night vision, this 1080p transfer from The Asylum sports a surprisingly stable and accurate rendition of its green-infused world. While one might jest at the absence of stereotypical "green men," the visual execution maintains a level of quality that belies its mid-tier HD video source origins. Despite not matching the lustrous finish of bigger studio productions, there's an admirable richness to the varied textures presented, such as the intricate details on leaves, robust military gear, and the well-worn surfaces of vehicles, all contributing to a visually engaging experience.

However, the transfer is not without its drawbacks. A noticeable flatness pervades the HD footage, betraying its non-premium production origins yet retaining a general crispness throughout. Exceptions to this include a few problematic scenes, notably in the eighth chapter, where there are noticeable jumps and skips. Though these could easily be mistaken for encoding issues, they seem to be ingrained in the film itself. Additionally, minor issues like light banding occasionally surface but do little to detract from an overall solid video transfer.

The commitment to quality is evident, as fine details shine through across various elements in the frame, from facial textures to environmental surfaces, rendered with care. This attention to detail and color accuracy creates a coherent visual narrative that supports the film's atmosphere and storytelling. Despite some shortcomings in dynamic range and the sporadic technical hiccup, "Alien Origin's" Blu-ray video presentation stands as a commendable effort, particularly when considering the budgetary constraints typical of The Asylum's productions.

In the audio presentation of "Alien Origin" on Blu-ray, viewers are met with a somewhat perplexing decision by The Asylum to default to a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack, a move that feels like a step backward into the late '90s, especially considering the misleading packaging that hints at a nonexistent DTS High Resolution track. This choice might be seen as aiming for authenticity in a found footage film, traditionally captured with modest equipment, yet it ultimately raises eyebrows with the absence of a potentially richer audio experience that the advertised but absent Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS HR tracks might have delivered.

Despite the limitations imposed by the 2.0 channel setup, the audio track manages to exhibit an unexpectedly lively and engaging character. The soundscape of gun battles, which dominate the second act, conveys both the intensity and chaos through convincingly replicated gunfire and battlefield atmospherics. Environmental sounds—like the jungle’s natural backdrop of bird calls and leaf rustlings—along with the spaceship’s mechanical noises, add layers to the auditory experience. These elements work together to surprisingly satisfying effect, notwithstanding moments where the realism is punctuated by noticeable production artifacts, such as muffled audio from boom mic mishaps.

Dialogue clarity occasionally suffers under the weight of the film's action sequences and ambient sounds, but for the most part maintains adequacy, allowing the storyline and character interactions to remain accessible to the audience. While far from exemplary, given the potential richness of multi-channel soundtracks that go unused, "Alien Origin's" Dolby Digital 2.0 track delivers an experience that, against expectations, supports and enhances the viewing experience in a moderately effective manner. This serves as somewhat of a silver lining for viewers navigating through the film's auditory landscape.

The extra presentation of the "Alien Origin" Blu-ray focuses primarily on marketing materials, specifically through the inclusion of trailers for various films produced by Asylum, including "Alien Origin" itself. This selection showcases the diverse portfolio of Asylum, giving viewers a taste of what the production company has to offer. However, aside from the trailers, the extras are limited to the basic functionality of a DVD menu screen, which may disappoint those expecting behind-the-scenes content, documentaries, or interviews that delve into the making of "Alien Origin". The lack of depth in supplementary materials might leave fans craving more insightful content related to the film's production, themes, or filmmaker commentary.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailers: A selection of trailers for various Asylum films, including "Alien Origin".
• DVD Menu Screen: Standard stop-and-start functionality.

Alien Origin" finds itself mired in a plethora of issues that not only make it a disservice to the found footage genre but also a glaring misstep in The Asylum's filmography. Billed as a revelation of the origins of life on Earth through the lens of a lost military expedition, the film fails spectacularly to deliver anything remotely close to its ambitious premise. Instead, viewers are treated to a confusing mix of underdeveloped plot elements and lackluster attempts at connecting the narrative to larger, more successful franchises. The promised aliens are virtually absent, save for a last-minute, clumsily executed tie-in that does nothing to salvage the viewing experience.

The film employs the found footage technique, but instead of leveraging this style to provide genuine thrills or a sense of realism, it succumbs to the clichés that have long plagued this method. The storyline attempts to follow an adventure journalist and a group of soldiers as they encounter inexplicable phenomena in a jungle; however, this setup quickly devolves into aimless wandering and incoherent encounters with supposed extraterrestrial threats. The action, heavily reliant on night vision for impact, fails to engage or innovate, leaving much to be desired in terms of visual storytelling and suspense. Furthermore, the addition of found footage within found footage only serves to complicate the narrative without adding any substantive value or intrigue.

Performance-wise, the cast struggles with a script that gives them very little to work with. Their portrayals are reminiscent of better characters in superior films but without any of the gravitas or charm required to make their derivative roles memorable. A fleeting moment of potential is glimpsed in a sequence involving an alien abduction, but it's too little too late to redeem what is otherwise an exercise in futility. "Alien Origin" not only undermines its own concept but also fails to align with even the modest expectations set by other Asylum productions, marking it as a remarkably uninspired entry in the studio's catalog.

The Blu-ray release of "Alien Origin," produced by The Asylum, leaves much to be desired in terms of cinematic quality and narrative coherence. Throughout the film, viewers are subjected to a seemingly aimless plot that wanders through jungle settings with neither purpose nor engaging character development. The narrative struggles from a lack of foundation, making it challenging for the audience to connect or find interest in the storyline. Moreover, the attempt to introduce an alien element appears as an afterthought, devoid of any meaningful integration or explanation, thereby undermining any potential intrigue regarding its 'origin'. This approach not only diminishes the viewing experience but borders on being offensive due to its apparent lack of effort and creativity.

On a technical note, the Blu-ray edition does deliver in terms of audio and video quality. This aspect might serve as a small consolation for enthusiasts or collectors who prioritize high-definition presentation regardless of the film's content quality. However, this technical proficiency cannot overshadow the fundamental issues of the movie's execution. The lack of depth, structure, and engagement makes "Alien Origin" a challenging movie to endorse, even among the most ardent fans of science fiction or The Asylum's unique filmography.

In conclusion, while "Alien Origin's" Blu-ray presentation might appeal to those intrigued by high-quality audio and video production, the movie itself is a significant letdown. Its failings in narrative direction, character development, and coherent storytelling substantially detract from any potential enjoyment. This release is, unfortunately, best left to those with an appetite for cinema that resides within the realms of "so bad it's good." For the average viewer seeking a fulfilling sci-fi experience, it's advisable to look elsewhere.