Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory delivers "Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann" in an impressive Blu-ray release with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The high-definition presentation distinctly showcases the film's elements in excellent condition, featuring commendable clarity and sharpness. The color saturation, notably in primary tones like the intense red of Swann's motocross suit, is bold and vibrant. Steadicam sequences, especially during bike riding scenes, are particularly striking and rendered with good detail, despite some sequences intentionally dirtied to simulate Swann’s visor view.

Despite the overall quality, the transfer is not without minor flaws. Occasional white specks and a slight inconsistency in visual focus, attributed to Larry Pizer’s cinematographic choices, can detract momentarily. Indoor scenes present slightly anemic contrast compared to the brilliantly rendered outdoor sequences. A thin veil of grain maintains the film-like quality, though it becomes more prominent in some scenes, aligning with the era's aesthetic. Detail retention is noteworthy, with fine lines, textures, and objects rendered clearly, from facial pores in close-ups to distant pebbles and rock formations.

The transfer avoids significant compression artifacts and aggressive digital tweaking, ensuring a natural visual experience. The film’s varied contrast presents nicely differentiated whites and strong blacks, maintaining excellent shadow visibility in nighttime scenes. Facial complexions appear natural and suited to the setting, adding to the authenticity. While the cinematographic style may appear erratic at times, this high-definition presentation faithfully encapsulates the film's original visual intent, delivering a thorough and high-quality viewing experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track for Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann delivers an impressive auditory experience, characterized by excellent fidelity and a commendably wide stereo separation. The dialogue is clear and well-prioritized, ensuring every word is intelligible and in sync with the film’s narrative. Michael Nesmith's synth-laden score benefits from substantial dynamic range, though some may find its prominence slightly overpowering. Notably, the soundtrack showcases effective realism in action sequences, providing a satisfactory mix of clarity in the upper frequencies and a mild punch in the low-end during high-intensity scenes.

The stereo soundtrack further impresses with its expansive soundstage and meticulous channel separation. Fluid panning across the screen contributes to an immersive viewing experience, supported by convincing off-screen effects and ambient noises that persist throughout the film. The intricate sound design brings the environment to life—crickets in the distance enhance night scenes, while villagers' reactions and bullets' echoes fortify action moments, especially during the climactic shootout. This detailed mid-range and balance foster a nuanced auditory landscape, making the lossless audio track exceptionally enjoyable and reinforcing the movie’s fish-out-of-water charm.

The Blu-ray release of "Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann" offers a robust collection of extras, particularly excellent for fans and cinephiles interested in behind-the-scenes content. The "Making of Timerider" feature includes engaging interviews with Writer/Director William Dear and Writer/Producer/Composer Michael Nesmith, providing a thorough look into the film's origin, story themes, cast, and production. The still galleries are extensive, showcasing behind-the-scenes photos and detailed storyboards in high definition. Although some may find Director William Dear's audio commentary track a bit bland, it offers honest reflections and intriguing anecdotes about the cast and production, making for an informative listen. The trailers and TV spots provide an additional nostalgic touch, rounding out a well-rounded set of extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making of Timerider: Fun and detailed interviews with William Dear and Michael Nesmith.
• Still Galleries: Extensive collection of behind-the-scenes photos and storyboards.
• Trailers/TV Spots: Original theatrical trailer and multiple TV spots.
• Commentary With Writer/Director William Dear: Honest reflections and detailed production history insights.

"Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann" dives into a delightful time travel trope with a unique twist — a modern motocross champion unexpectedly transported to the Wild West of 1875. Co-writer and producer Michael Nesmith, known for his eclectic journey through multimedia, who interestingly Executive Produced, co-wrote, scored, and even appeared in the film, brings his quirky flair to the narrative. Directed by William Dear, the movie capitalizes on 1982's dual craze for dirt bikes and sci-fi by casting Fred Ward as Lyle Swann. Ward's portrayal of Swann balances arrogance with charm, making his interactions with the past both humorous and engaging. Amidst slapstick gags and hilariously anachronistic moments — such as 19th-century folks mistaking Swann for the devil upon seeing his helmet and dirt bike — the film manages to keep a steady pace, punctuated by mild yet memorable action sequences.

The film captures its audience with its amiable tone, despite suffering from noticeable goofs and slightly juvenile special effects. The story follows Swann as he navigates his bewildering new reality, finds romance with Claire (Belinda Bauer), and confronts villain Porter Reese (Peter Coyote), who humorously chews up the scenery. While the plot is predictable for seasoned time travel fans, and some pacing issues weigh down the film, the genuine sweetness of the characters holds up. Additionally, Nesmith's score, a curious blend of western motifs and 80s synthesizers, coupled with Larry Pizer's varied cinematographic styles, adds a distinct flavor, even if not flawlessly executed. Ultimately, "Timerider" provides light-hearted entertainment ideal for a lazy afternoon, delivering enough nostalgic charm and amusing quips to keep viewers engaged.

"Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann" is a film that captures the imagination with its quirky premise, blending time travel with a Western adventure. Fred Ward stars as Lyle Swann, a likable and engaging hero whose journey through 19th-century California is rife with both humor and peril. Though the narrative may falter in places, the strong performances from the supporting cast, particularly Peter Coyote, lend the film a certain charm that can appeal to a broad audience, kids especially. However, parents should note the instances of cartoonish violence.

Technically, this Blu-ray release impresses with its high-quality video and audio presentations. The visuals are crisp and beautifully detailed, effectively capturing the film’s rustic settings and action sequences, while the audio enhances the overall viewing experience with clear dialogues and immersive sound effects. The bonus content, though not extensive, adds appreciable value to the package, providing fans with additional insights into this cult favorite.

In conclusion, "Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann" is downright silly at times, but it has an undeniable affability that helps it coast through some of its rougher terrain. This is a film that kids especially should love, since they'll get a kick out of the over-the-top bad guys (though there is some fairly gruesome albeit cartoonish violence, so parents may want to pre-screen). Ward makes an appealing hero, but it's the supporting cast that really helps to elevate this film. The final slow-motion shot of Coyote is almost worth the price of admission alone. This Blu-ray offers excellent video and audio and comes replete with some great bonus content. Recommended.