Species Blu-ray Review

Species has undergone a significant visual enhancement with its latest 1080p 2.35:1 transfer, thanks to a new 4K scan by Shout! Factory. This fresh scan offers a substantial upgrade over previous Blu-ray releases encoded with MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 codecs. The new AVC-encoded BD-50 boasts a mean video bitrate of 35000 kbps, far surpassing prior editions. The transfer exhibits excellent clarity and sharpness, highlighting fine details such as hair, facial textures, and practical effects, albeit with slight edge enhancement that introduces a "crunchy" quality. The image retains a thin layer of grain without excessive noise, providing a more film-like presentation.

Color reproduction is notably improved, with bolder primaries that avoid the overly stylized teal/orange look. Reds are particularly vibrant, transforming previously muddy blood hues into a vivid crimson. Black levels have been significantly deepened, achieving inky shadows that enhance image depth and separation. However, the pristine transfer also emphasizes the limitations of the film’s pre-CGI effects, making them stand out more against the otherwise refined visuals. While there is some evidence of de-noising techniques, the overall picture quality is impressively clean, with minimal print artifacts and no major aliasing or banding issues.

The depth and dimensionality of the image are markedly enhanced in this transfer. Characters appear more three-dimensional, with backgrounds looking distinctly set back. This increased depth combines with stable black levels to create an image that is both dark and detailed. Skin tones remain natural and consistent, showcasing intricate details such as scars and wrinkles. Overall, this new transfer of Species is a definitive upgrade that maintains the integrity of the original film while addressing many of its previous home video shortcomings.

The audio presentation of "Species" on Scream Factory’s Collector’s Edition Blu-ray is commendable, featuring both English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround and DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo tracks. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix stands out for its robust and well-balanced audio, offering a more immersive experience compared to the previous releases. Dialogues are well-defined and dynamic range is solid, though the movie’s soundtrack doesn’t have particularly explosive elements. The famous club scene, for instance, remains just adequately immersive without overwhelming effect. Surround sound enhances the atmosphere with crisp sound effects distributed nicely across all channels, even if primarily front-focused.

Notably, Scream Factory’s 5.1 mix displays significant improvements over earlier versions, providing greater separation for sound effects and music compared to MGM's uncompressed LPCM audio. While some users might still prefer the dynamic amplitude of MGM's lossless 5.1 track, Scream Factory’s version offers a more refined and cleaner output, showcasing near-constant surround activity and strong ambient sounds. Dialogues remain clear with no major distortions or audio dropouts noted. The audio tracks are in excellent shape without any noticeable age-related issues, ensuring a satisfying listening experience for both the stereo and the surround sound options. Optional English SDH subtitles are also included, adding further accessibility.

The Species Collector's Edition Blu-ray offers an extensive array of new and classic extras, enabling fans to delve deeper into the film's creation and legacy. This set preserves the commentary tracks from the 2004 Special Edition DVD, enriching viewers' understanding through detailed discussions on effects, casting, and production elements. The star-studded featurettes, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content present comprehensive insights into the film’s makeup, visual effects, and storied production process. Highlights include in-depth commentary from key cast and crew members, intricate explorations of H.R. Giger's contribution, and reflective interviews with actress Natasha Henstridge. This carefully curated collection of extras ensures an engaging and informative experience for both long-time fans and newcomers.

Extras included in this disc:

• New 4K scan of the interpositive: Enhanced visual quality of the film.
• Audio Commentary with Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen, and director Roger Donaldson: Engaging discussions on the filmmaking process.
• Audio Commentary with director Roger Donaldson, make-up effects creator Steve Johnson, visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund, and producer Frank Mancuso Jr.: Screen-specific discussion on the film's effects.
• Afterbirth: The Evolution of SPECIES: Retrospective interviews with filmmakers.
• From Sil To Eve: Interview with actress Natasha Henstridge about her role and career.
• Engineering Life: Featurette on genetics and cloning.
• HR Giger At Work: Behind-the-scenes look at Giger's studio.
• The Making Of Species: Compilation of featurettes on the film's production.
• Designing A Hybrid: Insights into the creation of Sil.
• Theatrical Trailer: MGM's trailer for Species.
• Alternate Ending: One of three considered endings.
• Photo Galleries: Production design, creature designs, film stills, behind-the-scenes photos, posters, and lobby cards.

"Species," directed by Roger Donaldson and released in 1995, explores humanity’s age-old fascination with extraterrestrial life and the ominous "what if" scenarios of alien encounters. The film follows Sil, an alien-human hybrid created from DNA sent by an alien species in response to a SETI transmission. This experimental creation soon goes awry, resulting in a creature that escapes from a government facility. As Sil evolves from a young girl (Michelle Williams) to a full-grown woman (Natasha Henstridge), she begins a visceral and deadly quest to mate, while a team led by Dr. Xavier Fitch (Ben Kingsley) races against time to stop her. The cast, including Michael Madsen, Forest Whitaker, and Alfred Molina, forms an implausible ensemble that tries to navigate the thin line between authentic terror and B-movie schlock.

Despite its tendency towards campy sci-fi horror, "Species" holds its ground with impressive practical effects, particularly the work inspired by H.R. Giger. However, the early CGI elements show their age, notably in Sil's transformation scenes where digital extensions fall short of the physical practical effects' impact. These moments reveal the technical limitations of mid-90s digital effects but also provide a glimpse into the evolving landscape of visual effects during that era. Henstridge's performance, although more memorable for its “sex sells” approach than for dramatic depth, became iconic in its own right, establishing her as an overnight sensation in Hollywood.

Ultimately, while "Species" may not be considered high art or even sophisticated science fiction, it remains an undeniably entertaining film. Its mélange of blood, guts, vivid body horror, and underlying primal instincts ensures a guilty pleasure viewing experience. The dynamic between the elaborate practical effects and rudimentary CGI offers a nostalgic snapshot of 90s filmmaking. Though not a critical darling, "Species" serves as a quintessential "pizza and beer" flick, one perfectly suited for a night of casual, sensational horror-sci-fi entertainment with friends.

"Species," while not the most intellectually stimulating film, has found lasting appeal as a 90s horror/sci-fi classic. The new Blu-ray release by Scream Factory provides a substantial improvement over the initial MGM release, particularly in terms of visual and audio quality. The restoration showcases the film's practical effects and gory details while preserving its nostalgic charm. The video quality is significantly enhanced with a 4K remaster, delivering a cleaner and more vivid presentation. This release includes DTS-HD MA 5.1 and DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio tracks, ensuring the soundscape is immersive. With Forest Whitaker's standout performance and Natasha Henstridge's iconic portrayal, "Species" continues to captivate genre fans.

Critically, "Species" may have its shortcomings, primarily due to the screenplay. Some characters, like Ben Kingsley's Xavier Fitch, come off as too stiff or illogically motivated, detracting from the story’s believability. Nonetheless, the supporting cast, particularly Forest Whitaker as an empath, shine through. The film's innovative use of motion capture and practical effects remains impressive. Additionally, Scream Factory's release not only consolidates all previous extra features from MGM and Fox discs but also adds new content such as a comprehensive making-of documentary and extensive image galleries.

In conclusion, "Species" is not devoid of flaws but remains an enjoyable piece of 90s sci-fi/horror nostalgia. The Scream Factory Blu-ray is undeniably the most definitive edition yet, making it a worthwhile upgrade for long-time fans and an enticing offer for new viewers. With improved video and audio quality and an array of special features, this release stands out as a solid buy for collectors and enthusiasts of the genre.