Alien Outlaw (VCI)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C- Film: D
The Western and Science Fiction genres have fit well
together before. Think Mad Max, Outland,
Aliens, Starship Troopers and Buckaroo Banzai, with the
latter purposely making fun of Western motifs.
Phil Smoot’s Alien Outlaw (1988) wants to do something similar,
but the result is so idiotic and lame, that the few references to films past
are flat and the film itself is pointless.
Travelling cowboy performers come to town, ready to have
an entertainment hoedown with the public, but after the initial (and very
tired) set up, aliens are on their way.
The performers are barely set up before the fake-looking creature comes
out of the water, but you will wish for a typhoon when you se the alien. The film starts out badly and gets worse,
making it a real dud. Turkey is too
high a complement for this mess, but VCI is trying to release as many of these
awful films as possible as they believe there is an audience. Maybe, but for this one?
The anamorphically enhanced 1.66 X 1 image is barely above
average, shot with little good form to go with its useless content. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is good enough to
hear the stupid dialogue and music, both of which are quickly forgotten. Despite extras like interviews, featurettes
and an audio commentary, this is one of the most basic DVDs we have ever
encountered and it was the first time I tried to think of ways to recycle the
materials that make the format possible.
- Nicholas Sheffo
