My Stepmother Is an Alien Blu-ray Review

"My Stepmother Is an Alien" is presented on Blu-ray by Arrow Video with a meticulous AVC encoded 1080p transfer that maintains a refined 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The film has undergone an impressive restoration process initiated by Sony Pictures Entertainment in a 2K scan, meticulously handled by Picture Shop in Hollywood. The restoration team, spearheaded by James Owlsey, exhibits commendable precision in maintaining the film's inherent texture and nuance. Signature color grading by Mike Underwood ensures a visually striking presentation, rendering bold and vivid hues particularly evident in Basinger's iconic red attire. The palette thrives with saturation, offering well-preserved and lively visuals without digital hindrance.

The transfer artfully negotiates the complexities of the original film stock, demonstrating an admirable resolution in high-definition clarity. Arrow's encode manages grain spikes with skill, integral for a natural, organic look that enhances fine detail across various scenes. Especially in close-ups, the precision exhibited in the depiction of facial features and fabric textures remains consistent and engaging. Despite occasional brownish flesh tones in certain sequences, overall accuracy is preserved. Fleeting moments of shadow detail loss signify minor concessions, yet these are mitigated by crisp contrast and substantial visual depth.

In essence, the Blu-ray presentation effectively brings out the inherent charm of the original footage, ensuring minimal artifacts and reducing signs of age-related wear. Arrow Video's restoration discipline ensures that "My Stepmother Is an Alien" retains its vivid allure and artistic intent, capturing the audience's attention with its high fidelity and excellent detail retention throughout.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release for "My Stepmother Is an Alien" boasts a robust LPCM 2.0 track that captures the essence of its 1980s roots while maintaining a mostly pleasing auditory experience. The track excels in delivering well-defined imaging, highlighted by immersive moments such as the spaceship landing and the interaction with messengers from Celeste’s home planet. The musical score stands out, featuring lively tunes like Tom Jones' rendition of Prince's "Kiss," all presented with a full-bodied and unblemished clarity that enhances the film's nostalgic ambiance.

Despite some minor issues, such as slight strain in the dialogue and occasional treble instability, the overall sound balance remains consistently solid. Although not offering extravagant bass depth, the music integrates a modest low-end punch sufficient to provide range without overwhelming the dialogue. These technical choices ensure dialogue is delivered clearly and effectively, allowing viewers to effortlessly follow the narrative. Additionally, accessible optional English subtitles complement the listening experience, ensuring comprehensive engagement irrespective of audio preferences.

The Blu-ray extras for "My Stepmother Is an Alien" provide a well-rounded exploration into the film's production and promotional elements, showcasing a balance of informative content and visual nostalgia. Bryan Reesman's audio commentary offers valuable insights into the filmmaking process, enhancing the viewer's understanding of the movie's creative journey. Richard Benjamin's audio interview, "Cosmetic Encounters," complements this by delivering directorial perspectives while accompanied by stills and scenes. The concise trailer, despite its brevity, functions more as a nostalgic teaser than a full promotional piece. The image gallery serves as a historical visual record of the film's aesthetic. Additionally, Arrow's attention to packaging details, including a slipcover and well-crafted insert booklet, contributes significantly to the collector's experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Bryan Reesman: Provides insights into the filmmaking process.
• Cosmetic Encounters: Directing My Stepmother is an Alien: An audio interview with Richard Benjamin.
• Trailer: A brief teaser for television broadcast.
• Image Gallery: A collection of stills from the film.

"My Stepmother Is an Alien" is a quirky blend of science fiction and comedy, capturing the nostalgic atmosphere of mid-20th-century cinema while overlaying it with late 1980s sensibilities. The film features Dan Aykroyd as Steven Mills, a nerdy but brilliant scientist whose botched experiment inadvertently summons Celeste (Kim Basinger), an extraterrestrial with a childlike wonder and naivety. The storyline is rooted in the classic screwball sci-fi tropes reminiscent of '50s B-movies, yet it attempts—and sometimes struggles—to modernize these elements with mixed success. The premise is inventive, but the execution often teeters between sincere homage and light farce.

The comedic element is heavily reliant on physical comedy and situational humor, with Basinger shouldering much of the load. Her portrayal of Celeste incorporates a mix of wide-eyed innocence and comedic timing that sustains the film’s momentum, even when the humor feels juvenile or one-dimensional. Jon Lovitz offers intermittent bursts of humor as Steven’s brother, Ron, providing a needed counterbalance to the film's otherwise mediocre comedic pacing. The predictability of the plot is softened by the charm of the cast, with Allyson Hannigan as Steven's daughter adding an endearing yet underutilized viewpoint of adolescent skepticism.

From a technical perspective, the production design commendably captures the retro-futuristic feel, with John Dykstra’s special effects adding a professional touch to the otherwise campy backdrop. The inclusion of vintage lab aesthetics juxtaposed with technicolor anomalies serves to enhance the film's nostalgic allure. Despite its uneven narrative and tonal inconsistencies—oscillating between family-friendly fun and adult-aimed jokes—"My Stepmother Is an Alien" offers sporadic moments of enjoyment, managing to evoke smiles rather than guffaws, while maintaining a softly positive undertone in stark contrast to typical '80s cynicism.

"My Stepmother Is an Alien" on Blu Ray showcases Kim Basinger's magnetic charm as she adeptly navigates both comedic and physical elements. Her performance is a standout, elevating an otherwise uneven comedic script that often falls short of its potential. While the storyline lacks the sharpness needed to fully capitalize on Basinger's skillful line delivery, her presence injects an undeniable affability into the narrative, making the film enjoyable despite its imperfections.

The Blu Ray release presents solid technical merits, offering a clean and vibrant visual experience. The audio quality ensures dialogue and sound effects are crisp and immersive, enhancing the viewer's engagement with the film. Additionally, the supplementary features included in the package provide valuable insight into the film's production and creative process, adding depth for film enthusiasts and collectors.

In conclusion, while "My Stepmother Is an Alien" falls short of achieving comedy gold due to its sporadic writing, Kim Basinger’s performance is compelling enough to keep audiences entertained. The Blu Ray edition is a worthwhile acquisition for those captivated by Basinger's charismatic appeal or those nostalgic for the film’s light-hearted entertainment.