Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Full Moon Entertainment

Video: 88 Films

 

Disc:

Region: FREE (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:21:45.275

Disc Size: 23,061,193,956 bytes

Feature Size: 20,212,334,592 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.99 Mbps

Chapters: 12

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: November 25th, 2013

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3938 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3938 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 2095 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2095 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

 

Subtitles:

None

 

Extras:

• Original VideoZone (7:43)
• Original Trailer (1:20)
• Charles Band and Tim Thomerson 2013 VidCast (5:46)

• Demonic Toys Trailer (1:17)
• Liner notes booklet - Calum Waddell
• Reversible Sleeve Notes with original art

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: Intergalactic super-cop Brick Bardo (Tim Thomerson) crash-lands in the Bronx while on a cosmic head hunt, only to find himself just over a foot tall in our world. Bardo spends time bringing street gangs to justice while pursuing his original quarry.

 

 

The Film:

Brick Bardo (Tim Thomerson - TRANCERS) is a traveller from outer space who is forced to land on Earth. Though regular sized on his home planet, he is doll-sized here on Earth, as are the enemy forces who have landed as well. While Brick enlists the help of an impoverished girl and her son, the bad guys enlist the help of a local gang. When word leaks out as to his location all hell breaks loose. Brick is besieged by an onslaught of curious kids, angry gang members, and his own doll-sized enemies. Now he must protect the family who has helped him and get off the planet alive.

Excerpt from Amazon.UK located HERE

Tim Thomerson exudes the required machismo cool to keep his outlandish Clint-Eastwood mimicking alien cop Brick Bardo entertaining throughout the film’s minimal duration, and a surprisingly creative script and hilariously imaginative special effects (read low budget but inventive under the circumstances) manage to complement the cheesiness that ensues (so much so that a crossover sequel was spawned two years later). While you’ll find no Academy-Award worthy performances amongst the B-movie regulars, the one standout presence belongs to none other than Jackie Earle Haley as vicious gang leader Braxton, who clearly takes his role in this campy sci-fi adventure far more seriously than anyone else.

Excerpt from Gone With the Twins located HERE

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Dollman gets a decent 1080P transfer to Blu-ray from 88 Films.  I doubt the original video production looked significantly better than this. Detail seems adequate in the 1.78:1 frame - notable in close-ups.  It's clean showcasing some pleasing grain. This Blu-ray has a bit of noise but contrast has some layers and there are sequences exhibiting depth. It's no demo or anything but you probably can't ask much more than a reasonable replication of the original and this doesn't excel in any one area - but is also, more or less, flawless aside from some less-noticeable artifacts.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

Two options a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at a healthy 3938 kbps or a similar encode at 2.0 channel stereo (I suspect is original). Sound is probably accurate to the limited production with some scattering but generally acceptable with some potent depth in the minor effects. Tony Riparetti, who also did titles like 'Dollman vs. Demonic Toys', did the score and its electronic, bright and bouncy - suitable to the film for sure. Nothing extravagant but solid nonetheless. There are no subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE.

 

Extras :

88 Films include some extras 'Original VideoZone' is almost 8-minutes long and is a behind the scenes look at Dollman with interview snippets with a young Tim Thomerson. There is also an original trailer and 2013 VidCast with Charles Band and Thomerson last shy of 6-minutes with some hints at Demonic Toys - including its trailer. There are some liner notes by Calum Waddell and the package has a reversible sleeve with original art.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I'm quite surprised that I enjoyed Dollman as much as I did. It was fun and didn't take itself too seriously. Certainly not a great film - but, in the right mood, would certainly entertain for the evening. The Blu-ray provides a decent presentation - as good as we are ever likely to get. Yes, I endorse this to the right crowd - and a keg of beer - I wish I could see it again for the first time. Thumbs up! 

Gary Tooze

November 27th, 2013