The Lawnmower Man Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory’s Blu-ray release of "The Lawnmower Man" presents an impressive handling of the source material with a new 4K scan, resulting in a generally pleasing 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode. This dual-disc set features both the 108-minute theatrical cut and the 141-minute Director's Cut, each on their own AVC-encoded BD-50 disc. Most notably, the director’s cut integrates additional footage from the original camera negative, which can occasionally result in brief jump cuts and slight variations in color temperature. Both versions maintain an average video bitrate of 35000 kbps, ensuring a good level of detail across the board.

Visually, Shout! Factory has achieved a solid filmic presentation. Daytime outdoor scenes and holographic sequences show impressive detail and vibrant colors, especially when Jobe is mowing the lawn. However, select indoor scenes, particularly within Dr. Angelo’s lab and basement, suffer from black crush, notable blocking, and increased grain leading to a mildly muddy image. The VR sequences and science lab sets are well-depicted with fine detailing, although they occasionally show more pronounced grain. Overall, despite these issues, the remaster generally holds up well with enhanced contrast, natural flesh tones, and improved sharpness compared to previous editions.

The transfer provides ample detail, with sharp lines visible in hair, clothing, and background elements within the Angelo household. The differentiation between character and backdrop is well-handled, lending a cinematic depth to scenes such as Brosnan and Fahey's car ride. Colors are consistently bold with deep black levels avoiding significant artifacts or crushing. Vibrant hues used in the VR graphics and neon elements in the film stand out particularly well. Despite occasional defects inherent to the cinematography and historical limitations of CG work, this release marks a significant improvement. Fans will find the overall presentation largely satisfying and a definitive upgrade from prior home video versions.

Shout! Factory's Blu-ray release of "The Lawnmower Man" brings the once-groundbreaking visual effects extravaganza to new auditory heights with two DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks: a 5.1 up-mix and a 2.0 stereo option. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, particularly on the Director's Cut, boasts a significantly higher bitrate (3832 kbps/24-bit) compared to the Theatrical Cut (1991 kbps/24-bit). This results in a more immersive experience with front-heavy channel activity but notable surround effects during the VR sequences. Car noises, music, and footsteps sound crisp while dialogue remains clean and understandable. However, the audio mix is somewhat low, often necessitating an increase in volume for an optimal experience.

Despite its aged source material originally recorded in Dolby SR, the movie's mid-range remains dynamic with clear highs and instrumentals, maintaining a well-balanced soundstage. However, background low-frequency activities do not impress significantly, with only sporadic deep bass moments, mostly attributed to music cues and VR sequences. The subwoofer adds life to these effects, offering a decent rumble during pivotal VR scenes and crashes. Dialogue reproduction is generally clear, though occasional muffled moments do occur. Unfortunately, the 2.0 stereo option suffers from mild but noticeable echoing and restrained mid-range, making the 5.1 mix the superior choice.

The overall surround sound presentation is competent, with ambient effects lightly bleeding into other speakers, enhancing the film’s presence during certain scenes. The lossless stereo mix does not hold up as effectively and has a tendency to distract slightly due to its echoing artifacts. Still, the 5.1 track provides an engaging auditory experience that pairs well with the upgraded visuals, ensuring "The Lawnmower Man" makes a sound return to contemporary viewing standards. Optional English SDH subtitles are included to accommodate diverse viewing needs.

The Blu-ray release of "The Lawnmower Man" offers a robust selection of extras, providing deep insights and rich historical context for film enthusiasts. The commentary tracks by Writer/Director Brett Leonard and Writer/Producer Gimel Everett are comprehensive, covering both the theatrical and director's cuts with detailed production anecdotes. The standout piece is the new documentary "Cybergod: Creating The Lawnmower Man," featuring interviews with key cast and crew members, exploring the film's inception, innovative effects, and production challenges. Additionally, the package includes a range of visual supplements such as conceptual art, design sketches, and storyboard comparisons, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the film's creative process. The inclusion of vintage materials like the original Electronic Press Kit and deleted scenes add further depth to this collector’s edition.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Brett Leonard and Producer Gimel Everett discuss production details.
• Cybergod: Creating The Lawnmower Man: Documentary with cast & crew interviews.
• Deleted Scenes: Twelve scenes not included in the final cut.
• Original Electronic Press Kit: Cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Edited Animated Sequences: Compilation of animated sequences from the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• TV Spot: Vintage TV commercial.
• Conceptual Art and Design Sketches: Slideshow of art and sketches.
• Behind-the-Scenes and Production Stills: Slideshow of on-set photographs and stills.
• Storyboard Comparison: Comparisons of storyboards with film sequences.

Brett Leonard's "The Lawnmower Man" represents a pivotal moment in early '90s cinema, where the burgeoning field of Virtual Reality and CGI were taking their first significant steps into filmmaking. Deriving loosely from Stephen King's short story, the film blends elements of cautionary sci-fi with a narrative not unlike Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” It follows Dr. Lawrence Angelo (Pierce Brosnan), a scientist whose VR experiments on primates fail, prompting him to use Jobe Smith (Jeff Fahey), a "slow" gardener, as his new subject. The outcome is a rapid evolution of intellect and psychic abilities, moving Jobe from a dim-witted laborer to a dangerous megalomaniac.

Despite its small budget and indie credentials, "The Lawnmower Man" was considered a moderate success upon release, grossing over $32 million. Much of its charm lies in its ambitious use of CGI and early digital effects, crafted by Xaos and Angel Studios. These effects, while rudimentary by today's standards, were groundbreaking for that era. The film spends around 30 minutes immersed in these computer-generated landscapes, reflecting the '90s vision of VR with metallic figures and neon colors. Doubling down on this technological bravado, it even includes one of the earliest uses of motion-capture technology.

However, the movie's impact runs deeper than its digital effects. The plot is a prescient commentary on the perils of technological advancement and the ethical boundaries of scientific experimentation. Over the years, it has gained a cult following, partly due to its intriguing premise and ahead-of-its-time visuals. Notable performances by Brosnan and Fahey anchor the narrative, making it more than just an eye-candy CGI spectacle. The recently released Blu-ray Collector’s Edition enhances this experience further with its director's cut, adding 33 minutes that offer a deeper character study and emotional depth, albeit at the cost of pacing. Overall, "The Lawnmower Man" remains a fascinating watch for those interested in the intersection of early '90s tech culture and cinematic ambition.

Brett Leonard’s The Lawnmower Man stands as an often overlooked yet pivotal piece of science fiction cinema. While its narrative may not climb the heights of storytelling, the film's impact lies in its pioneering use of CGI. The cautionary tale of technological overreach manages to weave together virtual reality and internet themes that remain relevant. The Blu-ray release by Scream Factory meticulously presents both the Theatrical Cut and the Director's Cut, offering an exemplary video and audio experience. This special edition includes a vast array of new and classic bonus features, enhancing the viewer’s immersion into this cult classic.

The Blu-ray treatment revitalizes The Lawnmower Man, delivering a stark contrast from previous home video editions. The 4K remaster preserves the movie’s intriguing blend of practical effects and early CGI. Both casual viewers and dedicated fans will appreciate the depth added by the new making-of documentary and other supplementary content, which add context and texture to the film. Despite its perceived shortcomings in plot complexity, the movie offers a unique time capsule to an era that embraced digital experimentation in filmmaking.

The inclusion of alternate cuts allows for a comprehensive experience, with the Director's Cut serving as a particular highlight for enthusiasts. Technical specifications such as the AVC 1.85:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD MA 5.1/2.0 audio tracks ensure a high-quality viewing and listening experience. Jeff Fahey’s and Pierce Brosnan’s performances, alongside Brett Leonard's direction, solidify the film's standing in sci-fi lore. Overall, this Blu-ray edition is an essential acquisition for collectors and a nostalgic treat for those revisiting this genre-bending film.

Conclusion: The Lawnmower Man is a strange, yet important part of science fiction history. While it may not be universally celebrated, it significantly influenced CGI-laden films that followed. Scream Factory’s special edition Blu-ray presents this film’s best iteration, making it highly recommended for fans and collectors alike. Whether you cherish it or critique it, its place in the evolution of digital storytelling is undeniable.