Reptilicus 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Slipcover in Original Pressing
Score: 79
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Reptilicus' 4K UHD release by Vinegar Syndrome is a mixed yet entertaining experience, with excellent transfer quality and B-movie charm offset by slow pacing and a hokey premise.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
DTS-HD MA
Video: 84
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of 'Reptilicus' by Vinegar Syndrome is a meticulous restoration from the 35mm original negative, with outstanding sharpness, vibrant HDR-enhanced colors, deep blacks, and film-like grain, though some VFX scenes retain inherent noise and speckling. Both American and Danish versions present stunning detail and color fidelity.
Audio: 83
The DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono mix offers clear dialogue, sharp scoring, and distinct sound effects, with both English and Danish versions maintaining clean and textural audio presentations. While range is limited, the track handles dubbing and special effects impressively for a low-budget production.
Extra: 78
Vinegar Syndrome’s 4K UHD release of 'Reptilicus' impresses with insightful commentary from Nicolas Barbano and Kim Newman, a 32-minute retrospective, analyses of producer Sidney Pink, plus the first-ever HD restoration of the Danish version. This package adeptly covers the film’s production, history, and cultural impact.
Movie: 53
Reptilicus, with its charmingly rough mix of puppetry and practical effects, offers monster mayhem on a small budget but falters in pacing and coherence. The new 4K UHD Blu-ray release includes both the heavily-edited American version and the longer Danish cut, providing fans with a definitive dual-format package.
Video: 84
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Reptilicus" by Vinegar Syndrome is nothing short of astonishing in terms of video quality. Restored from its original 35mm camera negative, the level of detail and sharpness is remarkably precise, potentially surpassing even its original theatrical exhibitions. Facial details, clothing textures, and the intricate model work are rendered with a clarity that was previously unseen. The skin particulars—whether the sweaty visages of male characters or the glamourous appearance of female performers—are compellingly resolved. Reptilicus itself appears more defined, laying bare its puppetry with an enhanced understanding. Town tours and interior shots are visually textured and dimensional, with natural skin tones, deeper blacks, and film-like grain giving the movie an authentic look despite its age. However, minor wear and tear from the source material are still detectable.
Color grading in this release is exceptional, with HDR10 enhancing visual splendor. Primaries such as bright blues, pinks, and Reptilicus' vivid green slime pop with vibrant, yet tasteful intensities. Copenhagen’s cooler hues and the contrasting bright slime bursts from Reptilicus are particularly eye-catching. The dense black levels and well-applied highlights add depth to the image, while brightness reaches a substantial peak without pushing colors into oversaturation. This results in healthy and normal skin tones that don’t appear overly pinked, preserving a realistic yet vibrant palette. While most visual effects shots, including the monster’s green spit, retain some inherent speckling and grit due to over-cranking and optical layering, these are intrinsic issues and not faults of the transfer.
For comparison, the Danish Version in 1080p (1.33:1 aspect ratio) highlights alternate angles of the film, featuring a natural film grain structure and vibrant colors, though not to the same elevated degree as the HDR-enhanced American version. Notably brighter by a stop or two, this version maintains impressive visual quality a notch below its HDR counterpart. In summary, despite minor flaws primarily tied to the vintage nature of its effects, "Reptilicus" on 4K UHD is an impressive restoration that vividly brings this cult classic to life.
Audio: 83
The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu Ray release of "Reptilicus" impresses with its robust DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono mix. Throughout the viewing experience, the clarity of the dubbing is notable, with crisply defined dialogue exchanges that effectively bring the dubbed voices to life. The musical score is sharp, providing clear instrumentation that underscores the film's dramatic moments. Additionally, the sound effects, while blunt, are appreciable and contribute to the overall atmosphere. Vinegar Syndrome deserves commendation for their meticulous handling of both English- and Danish-language versions, ensuring that the audio remains clean and clear across different languages.
For a low-budget production, the track's ability to deliver clear and textured audio is remarkable. Despite some limitations in range typical of a dubbed mono track, dialogue remains pronounced, and the musical score doesn't suffer from age-related degradation. Special effects, particularly during scenes involving Reptilicus's destructive rampages, are rendered with surprising depth in the low-end frequencies. The tanks firing shells produce an unexpectedly deep thump that elevates the otherwise standard audio profile.
Overall, "Reptilicus" benefits greatly from an impressive audio treatment on this release. The DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono mix ensures that dialogue is clean and clear without issue, and the sound effects are expansive, creating an engaging auditory experience during Reptilicus's battles against humans. Audio levels are well-balanced throughout, and the monstrous mayhem sounds just right, especially during scenes of monster chaos and military action. The Danis and English tracks both present nuanced soundscapes appropriate to their distinct cinematic contexts, preserving each version’s underlying intent while delivering a coherent and immersive audio experience. Vincentys' effort maintains authentic vocal pacing for humor and dramatic cues while keeping subtitles largely accurate, further enhancing the viewing experience for international audiences.
Extra: 78
Vinegar Syndrome delivers an impressive extras package in their 4K UHD Blu Ray release of "Reptilicus." The standout feature is a dynamic audio commentary by Nicolas Barbano and Kim Newman, offering an in-depth analysis of both the American and Danish versions of the film. Complementing this is the "Fifty Million Years Out of Time" documentary from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, which explores the broader cultural landscape that produced such monster movies. Other notable inclusions are interviews with film historian Jay Jennings and fan Stephen R. Bissette, providing insights into producer Sidney Pink's career and the film's production journey. Extras included in this disc:
Audio Commentary featuring Nicolas Barbano and Kim Newman: In-depth analysis and historical context.
Fifty Million Years Out of Time: Revisiting Reptilicus: Explores the making and impact of "Reptilicus" and similar monster films.
Pink Goes West: Life After Reptilicus: Interview with Jay Jennings focusing on Sidney Pink's post-"Reptilicus" career.
Invincible…Indestructible: Stephen R. Bissette's appreciation piece, exploring the film's release and production history.
Danish Version: The original cut restored in HD.
Movie: 53
"Reptilicus," a 1961 kaiju film directed by Sidney Pink and Poul Bang, represents a fascinating, albeit flawed, foray into monster cinema. The plot unravels around copper miners in Lapland discovering a prehistoric creature's tail, which upon thawing, grows back into the titular Reptilicus, a menacing dinosaur that threatens Copenhagen. The film's restrained budget is evident in its puppetry and animation effects, which, while often rudimentary, contribute to the movie’s unique charm. The narrative spends substantial time on scientific investigation and character development, delaying the monster's full appearance until nearly halfway through. The ensemble cast, including Asbjorn Andersen as Professor Martens and Povl Woldike as Peter, complement Reptilicus, though some character arcs and subplots feel superfluous.
The duality of "Reptilicus" is evident in its two different versions: the original Danish and the edited American renditions. The Danish version offers a longer, more narrative-driven experience at 95 minutes, retaining musical numbers and a more subtle exposition. Conversely, the American cut, shortened to 82 minutes by AIP, is punchier, with added violence and green acid spit effects to heighten its appeal to a different audience segment. While the special effects and creature design may come across as antiquated by today's standards, these aspects imbue the film with a nostalgic charm. Particularly noteworthy is the juxtaposition of genuine Copenhagen travelogue sequences against the less convincing monster rampages.
Fans and critics alike appreciate "Reptilicus" for its earnest attempt to join the kaiju genre. Despite noticeable limitations in budget and technical prowess, the film endears itself through whimsical, often laughable scenes, such as stock footage-infused military engagements and the creature's green ooze spraying antics. This release from Vinegar Syndrome includes both film versions in impressive 4K and Blu-ray formats, making it a definitive edition for enthusiasts and collectors. This amalgamation of cultural curiosity and old-school monster mayhem ensures that "Reptilicus," while not a paragon of its genre, remains an intriguing relic worthy of nostalgic enjoyment.
Total: 79
The 4K UHD Blu Ray release of 'Reptilicus' by Vinegar Syndrome offers an engaging yet divisive viewing experience. The film's pacing struggles, with much of the runtime dedicated to lackluster character interactions and a drawn-out scientific debate, which detracts from the main attraction—the kaiju. Despite its sluggish start, 'Reptilicus' rewards viewers with a satisfyingly chaotic climax as the titular creature wreaks havoc in Copenhagen. The film's B-movie charm becomes evident during these moments, capturing the quintessential monster horror appeal.
Vinegar Syndrome upholds its reputation for high-quality releases with this 4K transfer, which meticulously restores both the American and rarely seen Danish cuts. The inclusion of supplemental features adds value, providing historical context and enhancing appreciation for this Danish-American oddity. 'Reptilicus' benefits from a crisp, clean image and improved audio that elevate its otherwise hokey execution. It’s a must-see for those who savor the charm of vintage monster films or have a nostalgic connection to the genre.
In conclusion, while 'Reptilicus' may falter with its narrative drive and comes across as absurdly ludicrous, it remains a clever and highly entertaining piece of monster cinema. The 4K UHD release delivers on its promise of quality, making this a recommended purchase for giant monster aficionados and collectors of classic B-movies alike. Whether you are revisiting an old favorite or discovering it for the first time, 'Reptilicus' offers enough B-movie appeal and historical novelty to warrant a place in any film collection.
Blu-ray.com review by Brian OrndorfRead review here
Video: 90
Skin particulars are compelling, along with the rubbery ways of Reptilicus, also offering a more defined understanding of its puppetry....
Audio: 90
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers clarity throughout the listening event, with dubbed dialogue exchanges crisply defined....
Extras: 80
Analysis of "Reptilicus" is provided, with the interviewees inching through the shoot, which was completed in two languages and contained technical challenges due to lackluster special effects....
Movie: 60
When Peter allows the tail to thaw, the regenerative actions of the discovery, known as Reptilicus, are explored, with the creature able to grow once again, developing into a massive threat....
Total: 90
"Reptilicus" is a tough one to process, as so much of the feature is devoted to bland characters debating scientific and attack plans, and supporting personalities don't add much to the dramatic endeavor....
The Digital Bits review by Sam CohenRead review here
Video: 95
As you can probably tell from above, the production history behind Reptilicus is often more engaging and interesting than the film itself, but even creature feature bombs have a place in the canon....
Audio: 90
Kudos to the Vinegar Syndrome team for treating both English- and Danish-language versions with clean and clear audio presentations....
Extras: 80
This doc sets the stage wonderfully for Reptilicus to do their thing, studying specifically the American drive-in circuit and how deeply they were affected by these big monster and kaiju films....
Movie: 60
The kaiju craze that Godzilla brought to the global filmmaking industry was clearly felt throughout the 1960s, especially as it concerned the smaller distributors in the United States, like American International...
Total: 81
But for those who don’t, this brand-new release will bring you up to speed and teach you a thing or two about the history surrounding this film oddity....
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 80
Unarguably the best Reptilicus has ever looked – potentially even besting original theatrical exhibitions – the level of sharpness in the image is ridiculously precise....
Audio: 80
Surprisingly, tanks fire off shells with a deep thump in the low-end, bass and range absent from anything else....
Extras: 80
The first Blu-ray contains a 32-minute retrospective with producer Robert Parigi and historian C. Courney Joyner....
Movie: 40
An utterly stock script produces a monster movie seemingly written as a direct clone of countless others, with the baffled scientists, screen-chewing military leader, comic sidekick, and the ever present...
Total: 70
Repitlicus is ludicrous, absurd, and hokey, yet somehow played completely straight as a string puppet attacks Copenhagen....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
The over-cranked slow-mo shots of the monster are notably noisier and feature a lot of speckling and grit, but for every version I’ve seen that’s aways been there....
Audio: 80
The English subtleties read well, I only have a very limited understanding of the language, worse than my handle of German, but the subtitles look accurate enough while not being 100% to the letter....
Extras: 80
It’s a wonderful look at not only the making of the film and its impact, but the culture that bred a film like this along with other big monster mayhem drive-in fodder films....
Movie: 60
Still fleshy and bloody - they do the only sensible thing and take the partially frozen mass back to a team of scientists for study....
Total: 80
Might not be everyone’s brand of entertainment, but if paired with another flick, it makes for one-half of a great double feature of giant monster mayhem....
Director: Poul Bang, Sidney W. Pink
Actors: Bent Mejding, Asbjørn Andersen, Povl Wøldike
PlotIn the dense, snowy expanses of Lapland, a group of Danish miners stumbles upon an extraordinary discovery while drilling deep underground—an ancient, frozen tail of a large reptilian creature. The geological team, led by Professor Martens and his assistant Svend, transport the specimen to Copenhagen for research. As the ice thaws, the tail begins to regenerate into a full-grown amphibious monster, endangering the city with its destructive nature. Scientists work frantically to figure out how to stop the relentless regeneration, while military forces prepare for an all-out confrontation with the giant beast.
With the creature now free, it unleashes havoc across Copenhagen, leaving destruction in its wake. Buildings collapse, fires rage, and citizens flee in terror as the monstrous terror continues its rampage. As the authorities grapple with the chaos and scientists race against time to find a solution, a sense of doom pervades the city. The final battle looms as the only hope lies in overcoming scientific limitations and finding the creature's essential vulnerability to subdue it before it lays waste to all of Denmark.
Writers: Sidney W. Pink, Ib Melchior
Release Date: 20 Feb 1961
Runtime: 82 min
Rating: Approved
Country: Denmark
Language: Danish, English