Beyond Atlantis Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Beyond Atlantis" by MVD Visual and VCI features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.87:1 aspect ratio, leveraging a 2K scan from the original camera negative. While this suggests a commitment to high-quality restoration, the execution leaves much to be desired. The color timing is erratic, leading to inconsistent reproductions of the palette across scenes, ranging from a bright and well-detailed look to a problematic brown or peach hue. Clarity is also uneven, with grain fluctuating noticeably, particularly in outdoor footage where it occasionally appears yellowish.

Despite VCI's claims, persistent issues like a scratch down the right side of the frame significantly detract from the overall viewing experience. The absence of grain hints at aggressive digital smoothing and compression, further compromised by recurrent blocks of digital artifacts. The image softness extends beyond the limitations one might expect from low-budget film stock, pointing to potential over-filtering. The film's inherent vibrancy and depth are largely diminished by poor black levels and yellowing of the source, resulting in a flat and lifeless presentation. In summary, while there are glimpses of decent detail and color, the transfer fails to do justice to the island cinematography originally intended.

The Blu Ray presentation of "Beyond Atlantis" features an LPCM 2.0 mono audio track with mixed results. Dialogue, although prevalent, often contends with background noise due to live recordings on open sets, leading to a somewhat cluttered audio experience. This results in some lines being unintelligible without the aid of subtitles. The audio track has a limited dynamic range, manifesting as a narrow soundscape with restricted low-end power. Despite these limitations, there are no significant damages or distortions in the track.

The musical score, predominantly composed by Ed Norton, often pushes the upper limits of the audio spectrum, leading to a gritty and muddy listening experience. This is particularly noticeable during the extensive underwater ballet scenes, where high treble notes can become quite harsh and uncomfortable. Overall, while the LPCM 2.0 mono track adequately serves the film's basic needs, it lacks the depth and clarity that modern sound formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS could deliver.

The extras included in the Blu-ray edition of "Beyond Atlantis" offer a well-rounded and insightful look into the film. The audio commentary by Howard S. Berger and Andrew Leavold provides an in-depth analysis, though Leavold’s remote participation results in varied audio quality. "John Ashley Remembered" is a heartfelt featurette that captures touching memories of the actor, given in a snippet from the 2010 documentary "Machete Maidens Unleashed." Additional features include a collection of television spots and the original theatrical trailer, providing an authentic taste of the film's promotional era. The Photo and Pressbook Gallery is particularly engaging with its motion-controlled shots of press material, although viewers may need to use their pause button to fully appreciate the details. Berger’s essay included inside the cover art adds a sophisticated touch.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Theatrical Trailer: Authentic promotional content.
• Television Spots: Historically relevant TV promotions.
• John Ashley Remembered: Touching remembrances of the actor.
• Photo and Pressbook Gallery: Engaging collection of stills.
• Commentary: Insightful analysis by Howard S. Berger and Andrew Leavold.
• Liner Notes: Informative essay by Howard S. Berger included in cover art.

"Beyond Atlantis," directed by Eddie Romero and featuring John Ashley and Patrick Wayne, presents an intriguing yet ultimately lackluster narrative centering on a group of adventurers targeting a native island for its legendary treasure. The storyline evolves in a stereotypical adventure film manner with added peculiar elements including the islanders' alleged descent from Atlantis, complete with comic fish-eye makeup that undermines the film’s serious moments. The plot complexity briefly touches on themes reminiscent of "South of Pago-Pago,” revolving around hidden pearls, but diverges into darker, more bizarre territories.

Amidst the picturesque Philippine locale of 1973, the movie oscillates between intriguing and unsettling, incorporating thematically dark material despite its PG rating. Scenes depicting spearing, cockfighting, and piranha attacks starkly contrast with sequences focusing on Leigh Christian’s character Syrene, who is controversially pushed by her tribe to mate with a human. The film's thematic inconsistencies extend to its visual execution; prolonged underwater shots add little value, save for their leering at Christian’s fur bikini-clad figure. These choices drain engagement, making the film feel simultaneously exploitative and ponderous.

The film's exploration of greed appears to target younger audiences, influenced by Patrick Wayne’s contractual demand for family-oriented content. Nevertheless, the final product remains an odd amalgamation, highlighted by Sid Haig’s memorable yet typecast performance as the cigar-chomping East Eddie. The movie delivers quaint moralistic undertones portraying the destructive nature of avarice as the island's ecosystem collapses, symbolizing lost paradise. "Beyond Atlantis," while containing some curiosity elements typical of Romero-Ashley collaborations, fails to maintain consistent engagement or deliver a compelling cinematic experience.

VCI’s Blu-ray release of "Beyond Atlantis" presents a mixed bag for potential viewers. Howard S. Berger’s essay on the inside cover draws an ambitious, albeit questionable, parallel to "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," while drawing more reasonable comparisons to "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef." Despite the intriguing setup and the unrestrained enthusiasm from certain reviewers, the film’s charm is marred by its lethargic pacing and narrative unevenness. The screenplay exhibits a tonally confused attempt at simplistic morality, making it more perplexing than engaging.

Technically, VCI continues to show progress in their Blu-ray outputs, though this particular release might still invite scrutiny from discerning viewers. The improved visual clarity is noteworthy but doesn't fully compensate for the film’s inherent flaws. Prospective buyers are advised to analyze accompanying screenshots to form a more informed opinion on the visual presentation. The overall package may appeal to die-hard fans and collectors of niche cinema, but casual viewers may find it lacking in excitement and coherence.

In conclusion, while "Beyond Atlantis" possesses a hint of cult appeal and undeniably peculiar elements, it struggles with slow pacing and a muddled tone. Enthusiasts of the genre may appreciate VCI’s effort in bringing this film to Blu-ray, but the general audience might find it a forgettable experience.