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Cherry 2000 [Blu-ray]
(Steve De Jarnatt, 1987)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Orion Pictures Video: Kino Lorber / Signal One Entertainment
Disc: Region: 'A' / Region 'B' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)Runtime: 1:38:32.072 / 1:38:31.655Disc Size: 23,335,109,590 bytes / 23,218,844,030 bytesFeature Size: 18,720,632,832 bytes / 21,330,214,272 bytes Video Bitrate: 21.94 Mbps / 24.94 Mbps Chapters: 8 / 10Case: Standard Blu-ray case (thicker UK case)Release date: July 28th, 2015 / November 30th, 2015
Video (both): Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1669 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1669 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps
LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48
kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles (both): English (SDH), None
Extras: • Audio Commentary by Director Steve De Jarnatt • Interview with Tim Thomerson (13:03) • Making of Cherry 2000 Doc (6:21) • Trailers for Cherry 2000 (2:25) and Miracle Mile (2:15)
•
Audio commentary with director Steve De Jarnatt
•
Lobby
cards/ Stills Gallery
Bitrate:
Description: Need a bounty hunter? She's your man! In the future, a man travels to the ends of the earth to find the perfect woman. In this fun, futuristic sci-fi adventure, Melanie Griffith (Something Wild) is delightful and unflappable as a futuristic bounty hunter on a mission to find a robot replicant of a rich man's short-circuited wife. When successful businessman Sam Treadwell (David Andrews, Fight Club) finds that his android wife, Cherry model 2000 (Pamela Gidley, Highway to Hell), has blown a fuse, he hires sexy renegade tracker E. Johnson (Griffith) to find her exact duplicate. But as their journey to replace his perfect mate leads them into the treacherous and lawless region of The Zone. Steve De Jarnatt (Miracle Mile) made his feature-film debut in this badass futuristic thriller featuring a wonderful cast that includes Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Brion James, and Michael C. Gwynne.***
This stylish, unclassifiable film depicts a future world in
which sex is no longer an act that occurs naturally between
two consenting adults, but rather an emotionless,
business-like arrangement in which the man chooses his ideal
mate... from a selection of perfectly-formed replicants.
The Film:
Set in 2017, this film tells the story of Andrews who leads an idyllic existence thanks to the companionship of his "Cherry 2000" (Gidley), a sexy, submissive robot who caters to all his needs. When the robot short circuits and can't be repaired, Andrews is heartsick because his was a vintage robot, the kind they don't make anymore, and he's unwilling to settle for one of the less attractive models Detroit now produces. However, there are Cherry 2000 models gathering dust in the lawless zone, just waiting for the right computer chip (which Andrews has) to revitalize them. He hires tough female "tracker" Griffith to accompany him into the zone and retrieve one of the coveted models. The evil Lester (Thomerson), a blond surfer-type who is into health food, working out, and sadism, is the overlord of the lawless zone, and romance blossoms between Griffith and Andrews as they battle Lester and his henchmen. The first part of this film offers some fairly clever, funny bits, particularly a singles bar in which patrons show audition tapes to one another and then meet with lawyers to negotiate exactly what will transpire on a "date." However, once Griffith and Andrews enter the lawless zone attempts at quirky humor fall flat and the film settles into a fairly conventional action yarn. Griffith is as appealing as ever and veteran Ben Johnson does a nice turn as an aging tracker, but the rest of the cast is just adequate. Though shot in 1985, the film languished on the shelf for three years until the producing company, Orion, unceremoniously dumped it on the video market in 1988. First-time director DeJarnatt would go on to do the 1989 release Miracle Mile, a very entertaining apocalyptic thriller that also suffered from weak distribution. Excerpt from TV Guide located HERE
After a minimal release in the US this tilt at cultish sci-fi went straight to video in the UK. Its a post-apocalyptic adventure, from the director of Miracle Mile, that plays like a jauntier version of Mad Max. Griffith sports bright red hair as the eponymous heroine, a female mercenary charged with breaking into the villains' robot-packed warehouse; and much of the action takes place in striking desert landscapes. Plus marks for the presence of the old-timers, but overall it's a walk on the mild side. Excerpt from TimeOut located HERE
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. The single-layered Kino Lorber Blu-ray of Cherry 2000 isn't overwhelming in terms of video appearance but it is 1080P and provides a consistent presentation. I wasn't expecting it to look quite a strong as it is since we frequently see middling digitally-transferred visuals in 80's films (because of the film stock used in that decade.) Medium shots have a bit of softness but close-ups are surprisingly crisp. Colors are overly bold but appear accurate. The source is clean, with only some errant speckles. This Blu-ray gave me a watchable viewing in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The screen captures should give you a fair idea of the appearance.
As you can see the Signal One is a bit darker - and I, presume, a shade closer to the film's original appearance. It is 1080P,23.976 fps and AVC. Purists might lean to the UK Blu-ray but its a small advantage.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :Kino Lorber use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track at 1669 kbps in the original English language. There are plenty of effects in the film - and they are exported with some audible depth. The score is by Basil Poledouris (RoboCop, The Hunt for Red October, Conan the Barbarian.) It all sounds fine with clear consistent dialogue. There are optional English subtitles offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.
A linear PCM 2.0 channel and it sounds very good. It's a shade more robust and produces a pleasing high-end. I don't know that my ears could distinguish any significant difference but I, again, lean ever-so-slightly to the Signal One. It's region 'B' and offers English (SDH) subtitles.
Extras : Kino Lorber add an audio commentary by director Steve De Jarnatt discussing all facets of the production with a few interesting tidbits. We get a new, 13-minute, interview with actor Tim Thomerson informing us how he got the role etc. Included is a vintage 4:3 Making of Cherry 2000 documentary that runs over 6-minutes and has behind the scenes footage. Lastly there are trailers for Cherry 2000 (2:25) and Miracle Mile (2:15).
Pretty much all the same extras - including the Steve De Jarnatt commentary and new Thomerson interview and vintage 'making of' - but also add in a Lobby card/Stills gallery.
Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
BOTTOM LINE:
Region 'B'-locked audiences now get their opportunity for Cherry 2000. I wouldn't say my appreciation has grown much - but I still like Melanie and the social commentary. It's a decent film effort and good Blu-ray package with the extras. Recommended! Gary Tooze July 7th, 2015 November 24th, 2015
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 5000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
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find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. 60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD
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