Zone Troopers Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) of "Zone Troopers" delivers a satisfactory visual experience, providing sufficient clarity and detail for the textures on war machinery, uniforms, and especially the Alien's make-up work. The 1080p transfer, bearing a fine and filmic grain, maintains acceptable color palettes with a muted military tone that transitions to a slightly more pastel palette upon the arrival of space invaders. Despite some mild speckling at the start, the source remains in commendable condition without significant damage.

While not exceptional in the realm of high-definition remasters, the presentation holds its own for a low-budget film from 1985. Colors, albeit drab in keeping with the World War II theme, are accurate with a modest vibrancy in primary colors and flesh tones. Detail levels are consistently high, showcasing facial features, costume intricacies, and background elements with clear precision. The delineation is passable without any notable challenges, maintaining coherent distances and dark corners in spaceship interiors. Overall, the transfer provides an engaging and respectable visual treat for fans of this cult classic.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound mix on the Blu-ray of "Zone Troopers" provides a dynamic auditory experience, particularly during combat sequences and intense interactions, which reach a few sharp highs but remain minimal. Dialogue exchanges are crisp and maintain clarity, even capturing the nuances of German intimidation without subtitles. The music score, while not dense, is effectively integrated and enhanced by occasional big band numbers. Atmosphere is conveyed robustly, isolating specifics of alien ship interiors and firefights, delivering crisp and defined larger sound effects, such as alien lasers.

Despite its overall strengths, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track does have its drawbacks. The balance between sound effects and dialogue is generally well-managed, allowing for clear and clean dialogue delivery. However, the track occasionally lacks power and can sound somewhat hollow. This issue is exacerbated by canned war sound effects that appear unnatural, as if they were modified to sound more robust, resulting in discrepancies where smaller firearms produce sounds more akin to cannons. While these effects are not detrimental, they can be somewhat distracting.

The audio presentation of "Zone Troopers" achieves a passable level of immersion through careful sound effect placement and atmospheric fidelity, ensuring an engaging listening experience despite its minor shortcomings.

The Blu-Ray of "Zone Troopers" boasts a selection of engaging extras, crafted with historical context and production insight that would be appreciated by any fan. The audio commentary, hosted by director Danny Bilson and co-writer Paul De Meo, captures a nostalgic atmosphere as they reminisce about the film's production processes, showcasing an impressive ability to create convincing special effects on a modest budget. Tim Thomerson’s interview offers a vivid recount of the on-set experience in Rome, detailing the camaraderie among the cast and crew, alongside his creative influences, particularly Vic Morrow. The theatrical trailer is a succinct, well-produced promotional piece targeting its niche audience effectively.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Danny Bilson and co-writer Paul De Meo provide retrospective insights.
• Interview With Tim Thomerson: Discusses the production experience in Rome and character inspiration.
• Theatrical Trailer: A concise marketing piece appealing to the target audience.

"Zone Troopers" presents an intriguing merger of World War II action and sci-fi elements but is hamstrung by a glaringly limited budget. Directed and co-written by Danny Bilson, this 1985 B-movie stands out more for its imaginative premise than its execution. The storyline follows a small squad led by The Sarge (Tim Thomerson) who, after numerous battles with the Nazis, encounters a downed alien spacecraft. While the setup promises high-concept thrills, the film remains largely confined to modest forest settings and limited cast interactions. Bilson does showcase some creativity, leveraging the war film template and injecting moments of humor and quirky character exchanges, but the constrained budget often translates to static scenes and limited action sequences.

Despite budget constraints, "Zone Troopers" succeeds in generating a nostalgic charm reminiscent of 1940s war epics blended with sci-fi adventures. Bilson and co-writer Paul De Meo utilize atmospheric elements to depict isolation and confusion as the team faces strange occurrences like jamming alien signals disrupting navigation. Performances by the cast, including Tim Van Patten and Art LaFleur, breathe life into their roles, balancing light-hearted banter with genre-appropriate bravado. The tone often echoes that of a classic cartoon with playful yet earnest character dynamics, further buoyed by a sense of humor that smooths over less engaging segments.

Though lacking in significant narrative depth and sophisticated effects, "Zone Troopers" compensates with its endearing qualities. The film’s alien, despite being an E.T. look-alike with limited communication, adds a layer of innocence and curiosity. Highlighting creativity within budget constraints, the scenes involving the crashed spaceship and its alien technology stand out for their design achievements. While not a cinematic masterpiece, "Zone Troopers" holds value as a light-hearted, family-friendly sci-fi adventure that finds its strength in straightforward fun and nostalgic tropes.

"Zone Troopers" on Blu-ray offers a unique blend of war action and sci-fi elements, encapsulated in a context that denotes mid-1980s B-movie charm. The film, directed by Danny Bilson, presents itself with modest budgetary confines, translating to a narrative heavily reliant on character interactions and a tangible sense of threat from unseen forces rather than grand-scale extraterrestrial spectacles. While the cover art might misleadingly suggest a high-octane alien invasion thriller, the actual content leans more towards a suspenseful, albeit quaint, wartime adventure. The film's strength lies in its nostalgic appeal and the endearingly earnest effort to blend genres.

The video quality on this Blu-ray release is commendable, capturing the film’s visuals with greater clarity and vibrant color palettes than previously available formats. Audio presentation is similarly solid, providing clear dialogue and effective sound effects that enhance the viewing experience. The included extras, though not extensive, offer valuable insights into the production and creative processes behind this cult favorite. Even with its limited budgetary resources, "Zone Troopers" manages to create an immersive atmosphere that will resonate with fans of classic sci-fi and war films alike.

In conclusion, "Zone Troopers" is not a cinematic masterpiece but stands out as an entertaining and nostalgic piece of 80s sci-fi cinema. The Blu-ray release, with its improved A/V quality and decent array of extras, is a welcome addition for both longtime fans and newcomers seeking a light-hearted adventure. While it is essential to temper expectations regarding its ambition and scope, those willing to embrace its low-budget charm will find "Zone Troopers" an enjoyable watch. Recommended for viewers looking for a fun, nostalgia-infused escapade.