Dark Angel Blu-ray Review

Dark Angel's visual presentation on 4K UHD Blu-ray courtesy of Shout! Factory, encoded with AVC at 1080p in a 1.78:1 ratio, showcases a commendable blend of sharpness and detail with a few minor imperfections that might not sit well with all. The overall transfer displays a judicious amount of grain that enhances the cinematic quality without overwhelming, particularly important given the film's penchant for low-light scenes. However, there's an unexpected softness in isolated shots, suggesting the use of an older master, with sporadic moments where the image temporarily loses its crispness, notably in sequences that should have been visually striking. Despite these moments, the remaster excels in color saturation and contrast depth, essential for a film that delves heavily into dark and atmospheric territories.

The detail resolution, especially in close-ups, is impressive, leading to a vivid portrayal of characters' features and textures, including the intricate designs on the alien costumes. Skin tones are rendered naturally, contributing to the overall organic feel of the image. The black levels are particularly noteworthy, deep and absorbing, which is critical given the film's frequent nocturnal settings. The consistency in maintaining fine detail amidst these darker scenes is a significant achievement, ensuring that even the most shadow-laden moments are laden with visual information.

In terms of technical performance, the Blu-ray handles the video excellently, with minimal evidence of compression artifacts or motion blur, allowing the film's visual aesthetics to shine through. The presentation manages to strike a balance between preserving the film grain integral to its mood and offering clarity and richness in its visuals. The outcome is a solid transfer that respects the original cinematic experience while elevating it with modern technical enhancements, making it the finest version of 'Dark Angel' seen to date.

"Dark Angel," presented on 4K UHD Blu Ray, boasts an engaging audio experience, encapsulating the essence of its action-packed ambience through the provision of both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 versions. The 5.1 mix captivates with effective channel separation and remarkable surround activity during intense scenes, albeit with a predilection toward the front channels that sometimes results in overpowering foley effects and occasionally suboptimal dialogue amplitude. In contrast, the 2.0 version offers a more harmonious integration, bringing forth dialogue with greater clarity and fidelity, while still accommodating Jan Hammer's dynamic jazz-rock score eloquently, despite minor midrange distortions that seldom detract from the overall enjoyment.

Listeners will appreciate the crisp and unblemished dialogue presentation, a hallmark of both audio mixes, albeit the 5.1 version occasionally allows sound effects to overshadow vocal clarity. This is mitigated in the mix centering this concern adeptly without signs of auditory flaws like cracks or hissing, ensuring a pristine listening environment. The incorporation of ambient sounds and specific audio elements, such as the distinctive "I come in peace" line, are utilized effectively across the soundscape, offering aural immersion that faithfully represents the film's original auditory vision.

The audio experience is further enhanced by the subtleties and nuances brought to life through both soundtracks. While there’s a slight inclination to increase volume to capture the full spectrum of the audio presentation adequately, both tracks deliver a compelling auditory experience. The 2.0 track shines for its unexpected depth and fullness, while the 5.1 mix provides an expansive soundfield that enriches the viewing experience, offering versatility to audiences seeking either a modern or classic auditory experience. Together, these aspects cement "Dark Angel's" audio presentation as not only a respectful nod to its era but also as a testament to quality home theater advancements.

The extra features on the 4K UHD Blu-Ray of "Dark Angel" deliver a comprehensive and engaging dive into the making of this unique blend of science fiction and cop procedural. Highlighted by "A Look Back at Dark Angel", this featurette beautifully juxtaposes interviews with director Craig R. Baxley and stars Dolph Lundgren and Brian Benben, offering a deep dive into the production challenges and creative processes behind the film. The discussions are interlaced with interesting behind-the-scenes stories, all the while emphasizing the absence of CGI, showcasing the real stunt work that defined this era of filmmaking. The trailer and poster & still gallery also add value, providing a nostalgic trip with high-quality visuals and audio, reinforced by an option for fans of the original US release title, "I Come In Peace", to enjoy a retro cover art. The technical preservation and presentation of these extras illuminate the film's legacy in stunning detail.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Look Back at Dark Angel: An in-depth featurette including interviews with key personnel like director Craig R. Baxley and stars Dolph Lundgren and Brian Benben, exploring the production from inception to completion.
• Trailer: Original trailer showcasing the film under its initial title, Dark Angel.
• Poster & Still Gallery: An extensive collection featuring 47 items, including behind-the-scenes photos, publicity stills, lobby cards, and posters from various territories.

"Dark Angel," also known in the states as "I Come in Peace," remains a quintessential piece of early '90s action cinema that encapsulates the era's unique blend of science fiction, action, and a touch of horror elements, making it stand out in a crowded field of genre films. Directed by former stunt performer Craig R. Baxley, the film stars Dolph Lundgren as Jack Caine, a renegade Houston cop with a penchant for breaking rules to bring down drug lords. Lundgren delivers a charm-filled, physical performance filled with witty one-liners, reminiscent of the era's top action heroes. The plot revolves around an extraterrestrial being that arrives on Earth with a plan to use humans as a source for a drug needed back on its planet, intertwining a drug narrative with a sci-fi twist engagingly.

The narrative effectively utilizes its unique premise by incorporating a secondary alien, introducing an "Odd Couple" dynamic between Caine and his by-the-book FBI partner, played with a neurotic sensibility by Brian Benben. The film thrives on its action sequences, evidently benefiting from Baxley's stunt background, while also delivering a visually moody atmosphere that complements its synth score. Despite some pacing issues and a descent into familiar territory as the story progresses, "Dark Angel" does not lose its allure or entertainment value, offering a blend of inventive sci-fi plot devices, commendable special effects, and well-executed action scenes that keep viewers engrossed.

Although some may dismiss "Dark Angel" as just another entry in the vast catalog of '90s action flicks, its unique plot, memorable performances, and blend of genres elevate it above its peers. It manages to be both a product of its time and surprisingly enduring, owing to its imaginative premise and execution. Lundgren's performance, coupled with an engaging supporting cast and Baxley's direction, ensures the film's cult status among fans of action, sci-fi, and horror. With a combination of martial arts, gunplay, and great stunts, alongside an entertaining if not always logical plot, "Dark Angel" remains a delightfully entertaining watch that captures the spirit of its era while still holding up to contemporary scrutiny.

"Dark Angel," also known among aficionados as "I Come In Peace," is a quintessential example of early 90s action cinema that marries the zaniness of B-movie storytelling with unexpectedly artful execution, predominantly in its first half. While the movie initially captivates with a cleverly structured plot that intriguingly parcels out information, it unfortunately succumbs to predictability and a lack of freshness in its latter stages. Despite these narrative fluctuations, Dolph Lundgren's performance is a clear standout, showcasing an enviable blend of physical agility in action sequences and a commendable ability in more emotive scenes. This 4K UHD Blu-ray release by Scream Factory is lauded for its very good video quality and audio fidelity, accompanied by a notably engaging supplement that enriches the viewing experience.

From an audio-visual perspective, this edition does justice to the film's dynamic range, from its darkly comedic moments to explosive action sequences, all of which are augmented by a very complimentary surround track. The video presentation benefits greatly from the 4k UHD treatment, offering clarity and depth to the film's cinematography. With extras like a featurette that provides a nostalgic look back at the film's production and impact, fans and newcomers alike have something special to dive into beyond the main feature. In essence, this release not only pays homage to the film's original charm but also enhances it, making it a worthy addition to any collection.

In conclusion, while "Dark Angel" may not stand as a monumental achievement in cinema, its significance within the genre and its era cannot be understated. The successful marriage of a competent technical presentation to a joyously campy yet thrilling narrative ensures this release hits the mark for both long-time fans and those discovering it for the first time. As a piece of nostalgia that's been lovingly restored for modern audiences, it comes highly recommended, courtesy of its engaging features and solid audio-visual quality. Dolph Lundgren's fans, B-movie aficionados, and collectors of action-packed 90s cinema will find much to appreciate here.