Strange Behavior

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: B-     Film: B-

 

 

Strange Behavior is a film that should have been more memorable than it was and is.  In fact, it’s probably a film worth revisiting, which is the great thing about DVD’s.  The film is another one of those ‘kids turned into murderers’ thing, but this film actually has some good writing, good plot direction, a terrific score by Tangerine Dream, a few well-known actors (a really great performance here by Louise Fletcher), and even though by today’s standards the film might seem slow and perhaps dry, it still holds up well even more than 20 years later.  It is certainly better than the films that were inspired by it, including 1998’s bomb Disturbing Behavior and other facsimiles.   

 

Most people now are more familiar with one of its writers, Bill Condon, who has become more successful as a director of such films as the recent Kinsey and 1998’s God’s and Monsters (both reviewed on this site).  You can tell that the writing for this film was trying to still have the old feel of the 1950’s type of B-picture or something Twilight Zone-ish, but with a more New Wave vibe to it, which in 1981, worked fine.  Looking back now, it might seem a bit dated, but try not to focus so much on the tiny details. 

 

Elite Entertainment is known for having a very unique catalog of titles and Strange Behavior is no exception.  They also seem committed to bringing titles to DVD with a fairly high quality given their limitations as a smaller company and also go the distance with extras when possible.  One might compare them to Disney’s little division Anchor Bay.  Strange Behavior receives here a anamorphic widescreen presentation keeping the film in it’s original 2.35 X 1 scope aspect ratio, and the print seems relatively clean after all these years.  Considering most people probably saw the film on late night TV or VHS, this might be the first time that the film can be obtained easily in its original scope presentation.  That alone makes the film worth watching again. 

 

One thing that tends to be a problem with the picture is the pale look that it has with very muted colors, which is probably part intentionally, but also the transfer seems to be a bit pasty in its overall contrast and color.  The 2.0 Dolby Stereo audio track is slightly compressed and not very lively in nature, but not a complete nightmare either.  The isolated music track is a nice plus and the commentary by Bill Condon and actors Dan Shor and Dey Young is a real treat, especially for fans.  Aside from those extras there are a few minor extras including 2 deleted scenes and trailers.

 

I’ve probably at this point made the film sound better than it is.  I was marginally impressed overall, but the film does have some minor setbacks.  The biggest is probably the poor editing and the clumsy cuts that take place that do not always match on action.  Also the use of scope is a bit much for this film as it hardly knows how to use scope to its fullest potential for a horror film, and finally the film also holds back a few punches when it comes to the payoff scenes and that will most likely detract a few viewers.  Those minor problems aside, it’s still worth a peak.

 

 

-   Nate Goss