The Shape of Things to Come Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, George McCowan's "The Shape of Things to Come" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground. The 1080p transfer, however, reveals significant limitations. The transfer is noticeably soft, with a lack of detail and depth that undermines the viewing experience. Many portions of the film suffer from poor shadow definition and almost total loss of detail, especially evident in certain screenshots. Despite the stable image and absence of aliasing, banding, or over-sharpening issues, the overall softness renders the image close to low-quality DVD performance at best.

While colors remain stable throughout and the black levels are solid with minor grey tints, the filtering process seems to have stripped away any nuanced color ranges. Flesh tones maintain consistency but fail to provide the vibrancy one might expect. Close-ups, which are crucial for conveying emotion and detail, appear flat and anemic. Despite the cleaned-up print being free from dirt, debris, and excessive grain, the inherent lack of sharpness and detail from the source material makes this Blu-ray release hard to recommend for those seeking high-quality video performance.

The Blu-ray release of "The Shape of Things to Come" offers two main audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. Both tracks are accessible with optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track attempts to separate the soundtrack across multiple channels but ultimately falls short, coming off as lifeless and flat. Despite being a lossless track, the surround sound presentation is underwhelming, mainly keeping to the front channels with limited ambient sound support from the rear speakers. However, the track provides a decent blend of vocals, effects, and music, with some noticeable low-frequency extension from explosions and score hits.

On the other hand, the DTS-HD MA Mono track delivers a better overall listening experience. It boasts excellent depth and clarity, providing a natural balance across the film. While it's not entirely free from analog hiss, the dialogue remains stable, clean, and easy to follow. The special audio effects are modest but identifiable and appreciable throughout the film. Although the mono track lacks dynamic range and directionality, it compensates by being free of pops, hisses, or dropouts, offering a solid performance for those who prefer a more faithful replication of the original audio experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Shape of Things to Come" offer a compelling and diverse set of features, notably enhancing the viewer’s understanding and appreciation of the film. The standout extras include interviews with key figures such as Nicholas Campbell and composer Paul Hoffert. These interviews are candid and revealing, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the production with personal anecdotes and professional insights. The galleries are meticulously curated, presenting an extensive collection of original promotional materials. Both the French trailer and the TV spot deliver nostalgic glimpses into the film's initial marketing strategies.

Extras included in this disc:

• French Trailer: Original French trailer for "The Shape of Things to Come" with English subtitles.
• TV Spot: Original U.S. TV spot for the film.
• Jason's Journey: Interview with star Nicholas Campbell discussing various aspects of production.
• Symphonies in Space: Interview with composer Paul Hoffert detailing his work on the film.
• Poster & Still Gallery: Collection of posters, stills, and promotional material.
• Pressbook Gallery: Original pressbook content focusing on promotional strategies.

George McCowan's 1979 film, The Shape of Things to Come, presented on Blu-ray by Blue Underground, aimed to capitalize on the late 1970s sci-fi craze but unfortunately falls flat on multiple fronts. The plot—involving a post-apocalyptic Earth, a moon colony, and a tyrannical figure threatening humanity's survival—fails to captivate due to its underdeveloped ideas and lackluster execution. Despite Dr. John Caball (Barry Morse) and his cohort's earnest attempts to thwart Emperor Omus (Jack Palance), the narrative is plagued by repetitive scenes and predictability. Notably, the film diverges significantly from H.G. Wells' original work, bearing little more than a thematic resemblance.

Technically, the film exhibits budget constraints glaringly through subpar special effects and costumes that fail to evoke the futuristic vision intended. The spaceship interiors, barely more advanced than office cubicles, starkly contrast against contemporaries like Battlestar Galactica, underscoring the production's financial inefficiencies. These limitations extend to the visually disappointing robotic designs and space sequences, which seem derivative and cheap compared to other works of the era.

Despite these shortcomings, Paul Hoffert's symphonic score stands out as a surprisingly high-quality element, lending an unearned gravitas to the overall production. With cinematography by Reginald Morris, known for higher-quality works like Phobia and Murder by Decree, one might have expected more visual flair; however, even Morris' experience could not salvage the aesthetic failures. Ultimately, The Shape of Things to Come struggles to find its footing amidst its aspirations and dated execution, leaving it an awkward relic rather than a timeless addition to the sci-fi genre.

"The Shape of Things to Come" on Blu-ray is a mixed bag that evokes a range of reactions from disappointment to mild curiosity. The film itself, directed by George McCowan and produced by Harry Alan Towers, is unfortunately afflicted with subpar production values, awkward acting, and uninspired special effects. The narrative seems like a hasty attempt to ride the coattails of more successful sci-fi releases of the late 1970s, and it fails to deliver even the unintentional humor that might endear it to "so-bad-it's-good" aficionados.

Despite the film's shortcomings, Blue Underground’s Blu-ray release does offer some redeeming qualities for collectors and die-hard fans. The video quality is notably impressive for a film of this caliber, demonstrating a commendable restoration effort. Audio is equally solid, providing an immersive experience that belies the source material's inherent mediocrity. Noteworthy are the supplementary features, including insightful interviews with star Nicholas Campbell and composer Paul Hoffert, which add value and context to an otherwise forgettable movie.

In conclusion, while "The Shape of Things to Come" is largely an exercise in sci-fi futility, the Blu-ray release could still be worth a rental for genre completists and fans of 1970s nostalgia. The additional interviews and press materials enhance the experience slightly but do little to elevate an inherently flawed film. For anyone else, especially at boutique label prices, it may be wise to pass on this one.