Amazon Women on the Moon Blu-ray Review

"Amazon Women on the Moon" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino, featuring an impressive 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded transfer that maintains the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio presentation of 1.85:1 and 1.37:1. The visual quality here is remarkable, delivering bright colors and precise fine details across every short in this anthology. Despite the varying styles of filmmaking involved – from retro sci-fi to television productions, and even black-and-white film noir – the presentation remains consistent and engaging. Cinematographer Daniel Pearl adeptly matches the visual tone to each narrative, ensuring a coherent viewing experience throughout.

The image is consistently sharp, with stable contrast levels and even skin tones. The film does a fantastic job in showcasing its vibrant color palette, particularly in sequences involving Sybil Danning and her colorful ensemble of guards. Each element, from Arsenio Hall’s detailed beer bubbles to the textured blue suits on the moon astronauts, is rendered with a clarity that exceeds expectations. Even segments designed with a softer lens, such as “Pethouse,” display added grain and noise, enhancing rather than detracting from the intended retro aesthetic. The genuine filmic quality of the release, backed by a high 37.50 mbps bit-rate encode, offers fans an exceptional visual treat.

Given the various filmmakers and the intentional baked-in defects to mimic late-night 1980s TV viewing, Kino’s transfer is surprisingly pristine. While abnormalities like dirt, splices, and scratches are present, they are purposefully included to maintain the spoof nature of the source material. The transfer is an impressive feat, accomplishing exactly what it sets out to achieve by faithfully replicating the authentic textures of vintage television while simultaneously delivering modern high-definition clarity.

The audio presentation of Amazon Women on the Moon on this Blu-Ray release is encoded in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, mimicking its original mono optical soundtrack. As expected, the soundtrack features intentional audio imperfections, such as pops and hiss, to maintain its vintage aesthetic. Despite these deliberate effects, the dialogue remains consistently clear and intelligible, ensuring all vocal elements are easily understood.

The Ira Newborn score stands out with superb clarity and high-fidelity, significantly enriching the comedic experience. The sound mix handles the quirky proceedings adeptly, balancing slapstick sound effects and witty exchanges without distortion or strain. Additionally, optional English subtitles are available, providing a comprehensive and accessible experience for all viewers.

This DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track maintains a high standard throughout the movie. While some sequences are recorded at a lower volume requiring occasional adjustment, overall the mix delivers a flawless auditory experience synonymous with Kino’s commitment to quality. Each component, from the crisp dialogue to the impactful score, contributes to an engaging and immersive presentation that perfectly complements the film’s high-quality video presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "Amazon Women on the Moon" are a treasure trove for fans and film historians alike, providing an extensive behind-the-scenes look that adds depth to this cult classic. The standout feature is the engaging audio commentary by Kat Ellinger and Mike McPadden, who offer insightful yet humorous discussions on the film's segments and their places in various directors’ oeuvres. Equally compelling is the "Bullshit or Not: The True Story" documentary, where filmmakers John Landis and Joe Dante, along with other key crew, share fascinating production anecdotes. Additional materials include revelatory deleted scenes and dailies from Joe Dante’s archive, as well as a variety of humorous outtakes. The inclusion of multiple deleted scenes further enriches the viewing experience. Rounding out the package, the disk includes trailers for related Kino Lorber titles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Film Historians Kat Ellinger and Mike McPadden: Engaging and insightful discussions on film segments.
• Bullshit or Not: The True Story of Amazon Women on the Moon: Documentary featuring interviews with directors and key crew.
• Reckless Youth Dailies: Behind-the-scenes footage from Joe Dante’s collection.
• Reckless Youth Deleted Scene: Brief but notable scene cut from the film.
• Roast Your Loved One: Rip Taylor Deleted Act: Humorous deleted act.
• Roast Your Loved One: Jackie Vernon Deleted Act: Deleted act featuring additional material from Jackie Vernon.
• Roast Your Loved One: Henny Youngman Deleted Act: Deleted act from Henny Youngman’s routine.
• More Outtakes: Blooper reel showcasing additional footage.
• Deleted Scenes: Various scenes cut from the theatrical version but included in the TV version.
• Amazon Women on the Moon Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.
• Trailers for Other Releases: Promos for "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka," "Mafia!," and "Oscar".

"Amazon Women on the Moon" is an uproarious and satirical late-night television comedy spoof that remains a must-see for fans of classic 80's comedies. Directed by a cadre of notable filmmakers, including Joe Dante and John Landis, this anthology film brilliantly stitches together a series of short comedic pieces, each laden with memorable and absurd moments. The ensemble cast is rich with celebrities such as Arsenio Hall, Michelle Pfeiffer, David Alan Grier, and Carrie Fisher, delivering performances that oscillate between slapstick humor and biting satire. Highlights include the unforgettable “Blacks Without Soul” featuring a side-splitting David Alan Grier and the hilarious “Two I.D.'s” with Steve Guttenberg and Rosanna Arquette.

Technically, the movie excels with its quick-cut editing, led by Malcolm Campbell, Marshall Harvey, and Bert Lovitt, which ensures a seamless flow from one short to another. Daniel Pearl’s cinematography maintains visual consistency and effectively showcases Ivo Cristante's production design and Alex Hajdu's art direction. Ira Newborn’s original score adds an extra layer of comedic charm, matching the absurdity of the vignettes perfectly. Despite some unevenness—a trait common in anthology films—the script by Michael Barrie and Jim Mulholland is packed with classic lines and continuously entertains with its old-school sci-fi homage “Amazon Women on the Moon.”

While some sketches fall flat, the film overall provides a zany and vibrant experience that resonates well with its intended audience. It's a nostalgic treat that captures the essence of late-night channel surfing and the quirky sense of humor from the era. The varied contributions from directors like Robert K. Weiss, Carl Gottlieb, and Peter Horton further enrich the comedic tapestry, making "Amazon Women on the Moon" an eclectic yet delightful anthology film worth revisiting.

"Amazon Women on the Moon," a spoof on late-night television, is a hilarious anthology film that effectively combines various comedic shorts into an engaging cinematic experience. Directed by notable filmmakers Joe Dante and John Landis, this 80's classic presents a variety of sketches that range from brilliantly satirical to nostalgically indulgent. Comedy enthusiasts will relish appearances by iconic figures like Arsenio Hall, Steve Guttenberg, and Carrie Fisher, who deliver memorable performances filled with outlandish humor.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Amazon Women on the Moon" is exemplary in its video and audio quality. The high-definition presentation breathes new life into the film’s eclectic array of segments, allowing both long-time fans and new viewers to appreciate its comedic nuances. The Blu-ray is also packed with special features that delve into the film's creation, providing a rewarding experience for aficionados of classic 80’s comedy.

Though some of the film's sketches may seem uneven or dated, the charm and comedic value remain intact. The Blu-ray's extras make it a worthy addition to any collection, ensuring that "Amazon Women on the Moon" continues to entertain and amuse. Highly recommended for fans of vintage comedy and those looking to explore the unique humor of a bygone era.