Disc Reviews
Innerspace 4k Review
Like a lot of 80s gems, Innerspace was at first a flop. Thanks to the video boom, it took off and has been fondly remembered by that crowd for decades. What is amazing is what they got away with on screen without the use of a computer. Yes, you are looking at visual effects really in the prime use of talent. And this is one of many reasons to return to the film and appreciate it.
Thankfully, the story is also fun, and the actors are engaging. The premise… Well… Scientists have figured out miniaturisation, and their cocky test pilot, Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid), is about to be shrunk and injected into a bunny! But evil is afoot, and before you know it, the scientists have been killed, but not before one of them legs it with the Pendleton loaded syringe to a public space where he then, upon being shot, injects him into a nerdy shop worker called Jack (Martin Short).
Jack, it turns out, is the nervous sort – so once Tuck has figured out what is going on, he taps into Jack’s nervous system and starts talking to him. Comedy ensues as the hypochondriac Jack starts to think he is going mad! With villains in pursuit, a tiny man inside his body, and the nerves of a frightened cat, Jack ends up on a zany adventure where he has to become the reluctant hero!
Add a very worthy music score from Jerry Goldsmith (also still in his prime), Joe Dante’s wonderfully twisted humour, and you have an 80s sci-fi adventure that is worth returning to time and time again.
Extras: There is a new commentary from American critic Drew McWeeny, who is very enthusiastic and drops a ton of information about the film. And then there is an archive commentary from around 2002 with the director, key crew and Robert Picardo – this is also a non-stop chat and gives away a ton of behind-the-scenes information. Both are definitely worth a listen!
The real meat is the hour-long making of – again featuring the director, key crew members and Picardo again. Arrow needs to work on getting time with the A-Listers for these releases. But everyone here is great, and it’s a worthy doc, but Quaid, Ryan and Short are missed. It is still part of what made them popular at the time.
There is then a plethora of archive bonus material. Dante’s behind-the-scenes video footage is fun to watch, and the FX bonus material is always illuminating. Picture and sound are on par with what Arrow typically release these days. The film is still one of Dante’s best. This is a welcome title to the land of 4K.
Steven Hurst
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• Brand new restoration from the original 35mm negative by Arrow Films, approved by director Joe Dante
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Newly restored original lossless 2.0 stereo, original 70mm 6-track mix in DTS-HD MA 4.1 surround and newly remixed Dolby Atmos audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary by film critic Drew McWeeny
• Archive audio commentary with director Joe Dante, producer Michael Finnell, visual effects supervisor Dennis Muren and actors Kevin McCarthy and Robert Picardo
• Shrinkage: The Making of Innerspace, a brand new hour-long documentary featuring newly filmed interviews with director Joe Dante, producer Michael Finnell, visual effects supervisor Dennis Muren, visual effects artists Harley Jessup and Bill George and actor Robert Picardo
• Behind the Scenes with Joe Dante, previously unseen video footage shot during the production of Innerspace
• Behind the Scenes at ILM, previously unseen footage shot by visual effects supervisor Dennis Muren during production
• Original storyboards
• Continuity and Behind the Scenes Polaroids
• Production stills gallery
• Posters and Promo stills gallery
• Theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Doug John Miller
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring two original artwork options
• Collectors’ perfect-bound booklet featuring new writing by film critics Charlie Brigden, Michael Doyle, Josh Nelson, Jessica Scott and Andrea Subissati, a short guide to Joe Dante’s stock company by Scott Saslow, plus the original exhibitors pamphlet
Innerspace is out on 4K Blu-Ray April 27th