Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Complete Series Blu-ray Review

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Blu-ray Review)

• Review Appointment: Nov 06, 2020
• Format: Blu-ray Disc
• 

Release Date(south)

1979 (November 24, 2020)

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)

• Film/Program Grade: B
• Video Course: B+
• Audio Grade: B
• Extras Grade: B-

Review

In the year 1987, NASA launched the final of its deep space probes, commanded by Captain William "Buck" Rogers (Gil Gerard). During the mission, Buck of a sudden encountered strange forces that resulted in his ship being thrown off course and his trunk being perfectly frozen in suspended animation. 500 years later, Cadet's ship is rescued from deep infinite and he'due south revived in perfect health... awaking to a world that's changed more he could ever have imagined. Globe has been devastated by war and the surviving humans at present live in domed cities, protected by Colonel Wilma Deering (Erin Gray) and her World Directorate space forces. When Buck returns to the planet, the Directorate is negotiating with the Draconian Empire for badly needed supplies (as Earth can no longer sustain itself). Secretly, however, the Draconians' Princess Ardala (Pamela Hensley) and her henchmen program to attack and take over the planet. But Buck sees through their subterfuge, yet Wilma thinks he's a spy for the Draconians and is reluctant to trust him.

Based on the classic newspaper strip and motion-picture show serial character created by Philip Francis Nowland in 1928, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was developed for television set by producer Glen Larson. The original plan was to brand a serial of TV movies for NBC, but after the success of Star Wars in 1977, equally well equally the theatrical success of Larson'south Battlestar Galactica pilot in 1978, Universal opted commencement to release the Buck Rogers airplane pilot film into theaters. The resulting box office returns were stiff plenty to convince NBC to commission the holding as a weekly Television receiver series, which subsequently aired for two seasons from 1979 to 1981.

Kino Lorber Studio Classics's Blu-ray release presents that original characteristic film version of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century for the first time ever in full 1080p HD at its i.85:1 theatrical attribute ratio and with a running time of 89:03. It offers footage missing from the two-function Television set syndication version (known equally Awakening), including Kane's communication with Emperor Draco, the alternating "sexy" Bail-similar opening credits, different William Conrad opening narration, slightly more than adult language accounted suitable for theaters but not for Television set (including Cadet calling Wilma "ballsy" and Twiki maxim that he's "freezing his ball-bearings off"), and a few moments of tame violence edited from the Boob tube syndication version. It's also missing an boosted scene institute at the end of the TV version (in which Dr. Huer and Wilma offering Cadet a task at the Earth Defence force Directorate) which sets up the series.

The Blu-ray is mastered from a brand new 2K browse of archival film elements. The paradigm quality is surprisingly good—meliorate than I expected actually. Contrast is excellent with deep blacks still a surprising amount of shadow detail. Overall image detail is good and nicely refined, though a few shots are optically soft and patently VFX shots (that take been through the optical printer) are a little soft besides. Grain levels are light to medium, but organic. Colors are really nicely vibrant and accurate—the dejection and reds are definitely bolder than you may recollect them from all those years of TV viewing. This is a lovely presentation and i that you'll capeesh more the longer you lot lookout man.

Sound is offered in the original English ii.0 mono in lossless DTS-Hd Master Audio format. The soundstage is forepart and center as yous might expect, though modestly wide. The rails offers good overall clarity and picayune in the way of age-related artifacts. Dialogue is clean and the score by Stu Phillips is presented with pleasing allegiance. Optional English titles are also available.

Kino's Blu-ray release actually includes some nice extras, among them:

• Audio Commentary with Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson
• Radio Spots (audio with Hard disk images – 2 spots – 1:22 in all)
• 9-Infinitesimal Special Theatrical Preview (Hard disk – nine:23)
• Theatrical Trailer (Hd – 3:29)

The video features are all in HD, though the 9-Minute Preview is of much higher quality than the trailer. The commentary is too quite enjoyable, with film historians Mitchell and Thompson packing lots of interesting trivia, production anecdotes, and other behind-the-scenes details into the rails's 89-minute running time.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is campy to be certain only also skilful fun, and Gerard does much to keep things lively and entertaining. It's a pleasure to finally see the theatrical pilot flick in this level of quality. Kino Lorber Studio Classics offers it on Blu-ray by itself, and too in a box prepare that includes both seasons of the TV series on Blu-ray. Whichever version you lot choose, if you recall Buck Rogers fondly from your childhood, this disc is certainly recommended.

- Nib Hunt

(Y'all can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook)

Tags

1979, 2491, Academy Flat, Bill Hunt, Blu-ray, Blu-ray Disc, Buck Rogers, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Daniel Haller, Dr. Theopolis, Draconians, Erin Greyness, Felix Silla, Gil Gerard, Glen A Larson, Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Mel Blanc, NBC, Pamela Hensley, review, science fiction, Starfighter, Stu Phillips, The Digital Bits, theatrical pilot motion picture, Tim O'Connor, TV, Twiki, Universal, William Conrad, Wilma Deering

bradenyoutive.blogspot.com

Source: https://thedigitalbits.com/item/buck-rogers-25th-century-feature-film-brd

Share this post