Disc Reviews
The Stuff 4K Review
We had all sorts of weird glory in low-budget horror in the mid-80s, but The Stuff, as cheesy as it is, had a message to sell about consumption and consumerism without having to resort to zombie-antics. Yes, it seems the heart of America has become addicted to a white goop os sorts, patented, packaged, and rolled out the doors to the masses for them to consume. But what’s up with this mysterious white goop? It seems it’s bringing out the worst in us, or maybe it’s just taking over.
Larry Cohen did a lot of very underappreciated low-budget horror, which at the time seemed just that. Q: The Winged Serpent being another highlight, and yet, video viewers of the age helped raise these types of films to cult status. The Stuff also manages to create some relevant satire and even a few eye-popping set pieces along the way (or should that be head exploding?).
Essentially, it’s also a take on the Blob when it comes to the effects. Except this is less Jelly-like and more whipped cream. But it’s interesting to see how they created the FX sequences.
As for the extras, there is a new commentary from two writer/critics, an archival commentary from director Larry Cohen. There are two fairly decent documentaries on the making of the film which, both again featuring the director.
The main stand-out for the extras, however, is a feature-length documentary on 42nd Street New York (a strip known for it’s theatres that played a lot of grindhouse, horror and low budget schlock films). There is a lot of industry workers interviewed for this and it paints a picture of what it was like back in the era when it all thrived. A truly exceptional extra feature to have.
Arrow also has an interesting exclusive extra on disc 2 where you can find an Arrow remaster of the pre-release version of the film with 30 minutes of extra footage and an alternate music score. This release really does have all the stuff!
Steven Hurst
2-DISC 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Chris Barnes
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Joel Harley and a new essay by Daniel Burnett
DISC 1 – FEATURE & EXTRAS (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
• Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films from the original camera negative
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless English 1.0 mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary by writers and critics David Flint and Adrian Smith
• Archival audio commentary by writer/director Larry Cohen
• 42nd Street Memories: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Notorious Street – feature-length documentary exploring the history of New York City’s infamous 42nd Street, with first-hand accounts from an array of filmmakers, including Larry Cohen
• Can’t Get Enough of The Stuff: Making Larry Cohen’s Classic Creature Feature – documentary featuring Larry Cohen, producer Paul Kurta, actress Andrea Marcovicci, mechanical makeup effects artist Steve Neill and critic Kim Newman
• Enough is Never Enough – newly edited featurette featuring previously unseen interviews with director Larry Cohen and producer Paul Kurta, originally shot for the 2017 documentary King Cohen
• Original trailer
• Alternate trailer
• TV spot
• Arrow trailer
• King Cohen trailer
• Image gallery
DISC 2 – PRE-RELEASE VERSION (BLU-RAY) [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]
• An early, pre-release cut of the film featuring over 30 minutes of additional footage and a different music score, exclusively remastered by Arrow Films
• High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentation
• Original lossless English 1.0 mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
The Stuff is out on 4K Blu-Ray on July 21st