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The Invisible Monster [Blu-ray]
(Fred C. Brannon, 1950)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Republic Pictures Video: Olive Films
Disc: Region: 'A' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player) Average Chapter Runtime: 0:13:24.178 X 12 (but Chapter 1 differs as it is 20-minutes long) Disc Size: 42,252,781,747 bytes Chapter Size: 3,367,569,408 bytes X 12 Video Bitrate: 30.00 Mbps Chapters: 2 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: September 22nd, 2015
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.33:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1784 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1784 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles: • None
Extras: • None
Bitrate:
Description: Having developed a formula, that when applied to clothing renders a person invisible, an evil genius calling himself “The Phantom Ruler” is bent on creating an army of “invisible” soldiers in his efforts to rule the planet. Cloaked in invisibility, “The Phantom Ruler” is able to steal money and materials to move forward with his plans of domination. In steps investigator Lane Carson (Richard Webb, Out of the Past), who’s out to foil those plans. With the assistance of detective Carol Richards (Aline Towne, Send Me No Flowers) they are soon hot on the heels of the would-be dictator and his henchman. With action and adventure at every turn, The Invisible Monster offers 12 heart-pounding chapters that include Slaves of the Phantom, High Voltage Danger and Death’s Highway.
The Film: Who is The Phantom Ruler? That's the question posed by the 12-part Republic serial The Invisible Monster. Using four illegal European aliens as his minions, the Phantom Ruler-possessed with the power of invisibility, as indicated by the title-goes on an unchecked crime spree. Insurance company investigator Richard Webb (later TV's Captain Midnight) is assigned to determine the identity of the Phantom Ruler, and to put the cuffs on him. Both Webb and his assistant Aline Towne are subjected to any number of life-threatening perils before justice is meted out in the final chapter. One of the best of the later Republic chapter plays, The Invisible Monster is also available in a 100-minute feature version, The Invisible Monster Strikes. Excerpt from MRQE located HERE
Back when I covered the feature version of this serial (SLAVES OF THE INVISIBLE MONSTER), I had a grand old time poking fun at the severe limitations of the criminal's power of invisibility; he could only turn invisible while wearing an outfit soaked in a special solution while a bright light was shining on him. Of course, these limitations exist to keep him from using invisibility all the time, which would have driven up the special effects budget for a serial that couldn't afford it. The invisibility gimmick is really the most interesting thing about it; the rest of the serial is a tired regurgitation of all the usual cliffhangers we've seen hundreds of times already (just how many times can you bail out of a car?). At least the fantastic content is much stronger than it usually is for a serial of this ilk. Excerpt from Dave Sindelar of SciFiFilm.org located HERE
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. The Invisible Monster arrives on Blu-ray from Olive Films. The 12 chapter serial is on a dual-layered disc with a high bitrate. The print used is in decent shape with only a few minor surface scratches and speckles. Density seems reasonable and the contrast is pleasing. I see some textures and the detail is better than I would have expected. There is no real depth but this is all certainly watchable in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio as there are no detrimental flaws. The Blu-ray improved the presentation over an SD rendering and it looks strong in-motion.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION Background Description of following Chapter
Visible Cue-blip
Audio :Stanley Wilson composed for many 40's and 50's westerns like Woman They Almost Lynched and as well as many later TV shows. His score here is typically up and down depending on the action - with a few violent outbursts shifts via in Olive's DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel at 1748 kbps (24-bit). There are some aggressive effects and gunplay and the audio exports some depth when called upon but it stays within the restraints of the era and original production. There are no subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.
Extras : No supplements - not even a trailer which is the bare-bones route that Olive are going with the majority of their releases.
BOTTOM LINE:
NOTE: My only complaint was seeing the start-up (credits, main title etc.) and rehashing of each chapter - every time. I wish there was a way of bypassing it to go right to the action. Gary Tooze September 17th, 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.
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