Innerspace (1987/Warner Blu-ray)

Picture: B- Sound: B- Extras: C+ Film: B

The second Joe Dante release on Blu-ray this week (the other being his latest film Burying The Ex, which I'll next review elsewhere on this site) is his 1987 Steven Spielberg-produced Science Fiction film Innerspace. Starring very young versions of Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, Martin Short, and Kevin McCarthy, the film won an Oscar for its meticulously well done special effects by ILM and continues to hold up well on Blu-ray disc, looking better than it ever has before, give or take some moments!

Lt. Tuck Pendelton, an American pilot, takes part in an experiment where he is miniaturized inside a submarine-like craft and is to be injected into a rabbit. When some bad guys break into the lab to steal the technology, one of the scientists takes a syringe which contains the miniaturized Tuck and his vessel. Now in the vessel is part of the material needed to restore him. But the other part, which is in the lab, is stolen. The scientist's shot but before dying he injects Tuck into Jack Putter (Short), a hypochondriac, who feels that something is wrong with him all the time.

When Tuck links himself to Jack's systems, he discovers that something happened, so they go back to the lab, and discover what happened. Now, they are told that unless they retrieve the material that was stolen they won't be able to restore Tuck before his oxygen is depleted. Next, the government rep decides that the only thing that matters that as long as they have the other half of the material, it is useless to the thieves. So Tuck eggs Jack to go out and find the thieves. They enlist the aid of Tuck's old girlfriend, Lydia (Meg Ryan), who is a reporter, can she help them?

Presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and an English, lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 mix - the disc doesn't disappoint. Newly re-mastered, the film looks a little dated but thanks to Blu-ray, has a crisp new look and incredible detail not seen before. Sound goes back and fourth between normal sound like talking to action and visual effects moments when it really kicks in.

Extras include a Commentary with Director Joe Dante, Producer Michael Finnell, Costars Kevin McCarthy and Robert Picardo and Visual Effects Supervisor Dennis Muren - which is pretty great - and a Theatrical Trailer.

I would have preferred a fancier box and maybe some newer extras, I know these were carted over from an earlier release of the film, but it's nice to have it on Blu-ray regardless. If you like the film, then it's definitely worth upgrading to Blu-ray as its never looked so good!

- James Harland Lockhart V

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