Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to a sci-fi/horror picture is to be taken too seriously. Such was the fate of 'Species', a 90's version of a 50's creature feature.
A radio signal from outer space is picked up by a SETI listening post in 1974. The signal is instructions on how to form a particular DNA sequence. When a team of "Mr. Wizard" gene splicers, headed by Ben Kingsley, successfully replicate the DNA sequence and inplant it in a human cell, they succeed in creating more than they bargained for. The scientists decide the risk of their creation is too great so they decide to terminate the experiment but the experiment doesn't want to be terminated. The female they created, named Sil (played by the strikingly attractive newcomer, Natacha Henstridge), escapes from the research facility and continues with her rapid growth and developement. Sil reaches sexual maturity and is driven to any extreme by the desire to mate and produce offspring (this sounds like a babe I met once in a bar, but that's another story). A team of "experts" is assembled to track down Sil before she can mate and produce offspring that could pose a threat to the survival of mankind.
Sounds like your basic "alien threat from outer space" picture, huh. Well, it is. Its also well written and well acted with some top notch special effects (by Richard Edlund, no less). It should also be noted that the "Sil" creature was designed by H.R. Giger of 'Alien' fame and is perfectly realized in this film. Of course, great art this ain't. If you look at 'Species' and look for art then you're missing the point. But give me a dark room and a large buttered popcorn and maybe someone special to grab on to and 'Species' can be a pretty good time.
MGM/UA's new laser disc release of 'Species' is certainly good enough to attract a few new fans that may have missed it in the theatres last summer. The THX certified transfer is absolutely first rate. In some ways even superior to the theatrical print I saw. Colors are solid and accurate with barely a trace of chroma noise. The image is sharp and clear with excellent detail. Brightness and contrast are just about perfect. Filmed in Panavision, the transferred ratio is spot on 2.35:1.
The soundtrack is quite good with very wide dynamics and range, punctuated with a solid low end. Dialog is clear and well balanced, audible even amidst numerous effects sounds. The surround channel is used effectively and aggressively. This mix adds quite a bit to the pleasures of this disc. Also included is AC-3 audio.
'Species' runs 108 minutes. MGM's disc is generously chapter encoded with 38 markers for the feature. Following the movie is a fairly slick theatrical trailer ('boxed at 1.85:1) and a short (3-4 minute) featurette containing some behind-the-scenes stuff, including H.R. Giger at work, and interview excerpts from Director Roger Donaldson, Producer Frank Mancuso Jr. and Richard Edlund. All this for $34.95. Hmmm, let's see...THX, AC-3, theatrical trailer and a featurette for $35 bucks. Its nice to see somebody in this business still knows the meaning of the word "value". "B" movie fans rejoice. 'Species' is one for the collection.
This review is copyright, and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the author.
