Warning from Space Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's Blu-ray presentation of "Warning from Space" offers a varied visual experience, anchored by an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.34:1 aspect ratio. Despite substantial restoration efforts, some inherent issues persist due to the condition of the original film material. Notably, viewers may observe occasional density fluctuations, flicker, and swings in color temperature that distract from the overall visual fidelity. Grain distribution is fairly pronounced, leading to a cross-hatched appearance that amplifies against brighter backgrounds. While some warmly-lit outdoor scenes exhibit solid detail and robust color palettes, much of the film tends to waver between brown and faded blue tones, indicative of the film’s aged source material.

The American version's reconstruction involved using both HD masters and archival SD elements, with significant restoration work on the English dubbed audio and select 35mm internegative elements. James White and James Flower supervised additional grading and audio remastering. Unfortunately, despite these commendable efforts, the quality discrepancies remain prevalent. Murky hues dominate many scenes, with a sporadic discoloration and flicker that emerge frequently after the 35-minute mark. The grain often attains a clumpy yellow appearance, especially against brighter settings.

In comparison to previous low-quality public domain prints, Arrow's restoration certainly marks an improvement, albeit not without reservations. Both versions of the film suffer from faded primaries and uneven black levels, with the US version further plagued by frames that were optically enlarged to remove Japanese subtitles. Such inconsistencies underscore the limitations posed by older mastering processes and the challenged integrity of the film elements themselves. Thus, while Arrow's initiative is praiseworthy in enhancing accessibility to this classic, there remains a level of visual inconsistency reflective of the broader challenges in restoring vintage cinematic works.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Warning from Space" is offered in LPCM Mono, preserving the original Japanese soundtrack. Expectedly, this mono track has its pros and cons. Dialogue is delivered distinctly and clearly most of the time, maintaining a solid level of intelligibility. However, certain scenes, particularly those featuring bombastic musical elements such as the brass-heavy nightclub sequences, reveal slight distortion. This can result in a somewhat raw and harsh listening experience, with piercing treble tones that occasionally become tiresome.

While the audio generally avoids significant damage artifacts such as pops and cracks, some minor defects—including brief moments of skipping and popping—are apparent, likely due to the age and lack of extensive remastering of the original source. Notably, the film includes a recurring high-frequency whirring noise, intended to emphasize elements like zooming UFOs, which may come off as somewhat brash. Overall, though there are imperfections, the audio remains mostly clean, with optional English subtitles available for clarity.

The Blu Ray of "Warning from Space" features an impressive collection of extras, offering valuable context and depth to the film. Stuart Galbraith's 65-minute commentary is particularly enriching, diving into biographical and production details, including connections to renowned screenwriter Hideo Oguni. The U.S. version of the film is included, providing an intriguing alternative structure and added English dialogues, utilizing existing elements for a coherent presentation. The image gallery showcases a diverse array of 48 behind-the-scenes stills, promotional materials, and artwork, enhancing the understanding of the film's historical and cultural context. The detailed insert booklet, complete with essays, cast and crew information, and technical data, rounds out a well-curated package that caters to both casual viewers and dedicated cinephiles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Select Scene Commentary by Stuart Galbraith: Insightful commentary covering the first 65 minutes.
• Warning from Space US Version: Restructured film with English dialogue and subtitles.
• Teaser Trailer: Promotional teaser.
• Theatrical Trailer: Full theatrical trailer.
• Image Gallery: 48 images including behind-the-scenes, promotional stills, posters, etc.
• Insert Booklet: Essays, stills, cast and crew info, technical data.

"Warning from Space," a landmark in Japanese science fiction as the country’s first color sci-fi film, offers a peculiar blend of earnest warnings and campy aesthetics. The film introduces the Pairans, starfish-like aliens with a single blue eye, who descend to Earth to alert humans of an impending planetary collision. The narrative juxtaposes these naïvely adorable aliens with catastrophic stakes, evoking comparisons to Western sci-fi films like "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Notably, the film’s Japanese and English versions diverge in structure— the latter opens with the Pairans' arrival rather than delaying it— and there are intriguing discrepancies in how nuclear themes are addressed.

Despite its straightforward premise, the movie is replete with tangential subplots, including one involving a kidnapped scientist and his super weapon. Dr. Komura (Bontarô Miake) and his assistant Toru Itsobe (Keizô Kawasaki) offer a grounded perspective amidst the chaos, although side characters like Komura’s makeup-obsessed daughter, Taeko (Mieko Nagai), inject an odd sense of normalcy. Attempts at human-alien contact veer into the bizarre when a Pairan metamorphoses into showgirl Hikari Aozora (Toyomi Karita). This fantastical element underscores the film's tonal dissonance, initially decrying nuclear armament only to later rely on it for Earth’s salvation— a perplexing stance given Japan’s post-WWII nuclear trauma.

The film’s duality extends beyond plot points to its visual presentation. The Pairans' plushy costumes oscillate between inducing laughter and inspiring curiosity, yet they fail to evoke fear or urgency when needed. Instances of hyperbolic human hysteria at mere glimpses of these creatures feel unintentionally comedic. Moreover, juxtaposing trivial divergences between the English and Japanese versions, such as minor dialogue tweaks during a train scene involving Dr. Komura, emphasizes the film's varied approach to character development and thematic exposition. While "Warning from Space" remains a culturally significant artifact, its convoluted narrative and outdated stylings may elicit more amusement than awe from contemporary viewers.

The Blu-ray release of "Warning from Space" offers viewers an intriguing dive into 1950s Japanese science fiction. The film has garnered respect as a significant piece of the genre, yet it has also faced criticism and mockery, particularly due to its depiction of alien beings as starfish-like creatures. While the aliens' design may evoke unintentional humor, the film tackles pressing themes such as mankind's potential for self-destruction via nuclear weapons. These underlying issues add weight to the seemingly bizarre narrative and provide a level of depth upon closer examination.

Technically, Arrow Video’s presentation of the film leaves an impression that parallels the mixed reviews of its content. While not perfect, this release surpasses many budget-bin alternatives by offering a more refined visual and auditory experience. The video quality encounters some hurdles, indicative of the film’s age and original production constraints. Despite these challenges, the audio transfer is commendable, ensuring that viewers can better appreciate the film’s intended atmosphere. Additionally, the supplements included are both enjoyable and informative, adding value for collectors and sci-fi enthusiasts alike.

Frankly, granting even a 3.0 for "Warning from Space" might seem generous, given the film’s illogical plot elements and occasional unintended comedy. Nevertheless, beneath its silliness lie important messages about human folly and the specter of nuclear annihilation. While this release may not remedy all of the film's shortcomings, the combination of historical significance and improved audiovisual quality underlines its worth as a unique curiosity within the genre.