Plan 9 from Outer Space Blu-ray Review

Legend Films' Blu-ray presentation of "Plan 9 From Outer Space" utilizes an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in an open matte 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Known for its myriad low-quality public domain releases, this edition undergoes significant restoration, achieving a well-above-average sharpness. Despite being a notable improvement, there remain occasional minor scratches and flecks visible in certain scenes. The application of noise reduction is commendable as it avoids over-processing, maintaining the natural appearance of mist-shrouded scenes without making them look static or overly scrubbed.

The Blu-ray offers both the original black-and-white version and a restrained colorized version. The colorization is subtly and minimally applied, sparing viewers from overly vivid hues that could distract from the film’s ambience. Only the bright purple shirts of the aliens stand out noticeably, but they do not overwhelm the visual experience. However, the 1.33:1 presentation leads to exaggerated headroom, occasionally revealing boom mics in the frame, an issue not typically observed in more tightly cropped versions of the film. Overall, Legend Films has executed a commendable restoration, balancing technical improvements and visual authenticity.

The audio presentation of "Plan 9 from Outer Space" on Blu-Ray is surprisingly robust, anchored by a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo mix. This new mix, while not particularly spacious or immersive, showcases the film's limited sonic ambitions with exceptional clarity and precision. Notably, there isn't any significant damage to the audio. However, the repurposing has introduced additional reverb, compounding the film's characteristic boxy sound.

Despite these nuances, the representation across all frequency ranges is commendable, delivering an experience that supersedes previous releases. In essence, this audio mix allows "Plan 9 from Outer Space" to be heard in its finest form to date, marking a significant technical improvement for this cult classic.

The Extras section of the "Plan 9 from Outer Space" Blu-ray offers a well-rounded collection, providing a nostalgic and informative peek into Ed Wood's cinematic world. This includes the original black-and-white version, which highlights Legend's expertise in colorization by treating the monochrome version as an added feature. The Ed Wood home movies offer a charmingly peculiar view into Wood's personal life, with clips of a birthday party and an unconventional Christmas scene where he models new clothing. Ed Wood's commercials are quirky, era-specific, and universally adaptable because they were designed for use by various vendors. Trivia subtitles and Mike Nelson’s commentary further enrich the viewing experience, with Nelson’s comedic prowess shining through sporadically, offering sharp and humorous insights integrated into the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Black and White Version: Presented as an extra feature by Legend.
• Ed Wood Home Movies: Personal snippets showcasing a birthday party and Christmas.
• Ed Wood Commercials: Generic ads for various products, adaptable for multiple vendors.
• Trivia Subtitles: Additional facts presented as subtitles throughout the film.
• Mike Nelson Commentary: Humorous and sporadic commentary by the famed MST3K and RiffTrax comedian.

Plan 9 from Outer Space, often dubbed "The Worst Movie Ever Made," surprisingly offers a weirdly captivating experience on Blu-ray. The film, directed by Ed Wood Jr., has achieved an iconic status due to its legendary ineptitude and nonsensical storytelling since its 1959 release. Critics have highlighted peculiar technical moments like the slight push-in on Criswell during the opening scene and the subtle dolly out on Paula (Mona McKinnon) in bed. These instances, although minor, suggest that Wood wasn’t merely a point-and-shoot director but had some understanding of film-making techniques.

Viewers new to Plan 9 might be curious about its enduring appeal. Wood's close relationship with the iconic Bela Lugosi, who appears briefly due to pre-existing footage taken before Lugosi’s death, adds an intriguing layer. Initially titled Grave Robbers from Outer Space, the film was retitled by the distributor. The plot centers around invading aliens resorting to their “Plan 9,” which involves reanimating the dead with a life ray, leading to bizarre zombie-like activities featuring Lugosi, Vampira, and Tor Johnson.

The film’s chaotic visual and verbal inconsistencies, such as Criswell’s fluctuating tenses in his introductory speech and the continuous shift between day and night scenes, contribute to its party film status. These oddities lend themselves perfectly to drinking games and have kept the movie engaging for audiences over the years. Wood’s enthusiasm for filmmaking shines through despite the film’s incoherence. Ultimately, Plan 9 from Outer Space's charm lies in its joyful absurdity, creating a fun viewing experience despite its many flaws.

The Blu-ray release of "Plan 9 from Outer Space" by Legend Films brings a unique charm to Ed Wood's notorious cult classic. While the film has long been criticized for its crazy storyline, inept direction, and unintentionally hilarious moments, it also possesses a strangely endearing quality. The rejuvenation of this release includes a colorized version that surprisingly avoids the garish pitfalls common in such undertakings. Though the video and audio quality won't revolutionize home theatre experiences, they mark a significant improvement over previous editions, offering the sharpest visual and auditory presentation of the film to date.

Technically, the Blu-ray delivers solid, if not spectacular, results. The video quality, though not perfect, shows considerable clarity and detail, presenting "Plan 9 from Outer Space" in the best rendition seen to date. The colorization respects the original tones without succumbing to excessively vivid hues, maintaining a respectful balance. Likewise, the audio quality, while not extraordinary, is serviceable and significantly clearer than earlier versions, allowing Ed Wood's dialog and the film's campy effects to come through more distinctly.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray release is notably enhanced with a great commentary by Mike Nelson and a handful of other worthwhile supplements. Legend Films has commendably revived a classic film with affection and technical competence. While neither the video nor audio will amaze high-end enthusiasts, this is undeniably the premier way to experience one of cinema’s most infamous films. This release offers an engaging trip down memory lane and is highly recommended for fans of the bizarre and historically significant works in film history.