As movie nerd-dom is certainly a disease that is passed down from
generation to generation, there is one basic law of the land that will
always prove true: what we think is cool the next generation will
think is stupid. I've had plenty of conversations with my dad about
such old-school potboilers as Them! (don't forget that exclamation
point, pop), a movie ,u dad described to me as a terrifying science-
fiction masterpiece about radioactively-mutated eight-legged freaks
who grow in size and take hungry vengeance against those who have
wronged them. Dad was scared of that thing when he was a kid, and the
image of elephantine tarantulas prowling the desert in search of human
sustenance was just too much for him to bear. But then I watched the
movie and was bored to tears. This is what dad lost sleep over? These
ridiculous creatures made out of clay and whiskers that looked so
silly, so inane? I just sat on our family couch, rolling my
eyes...
Of course, what goes around comes around. I bet my dad
can't wait to see what my kids think of Poltergeist, a movie that to
this day scares me to the very essence of my soul. I can't imagine
that kids - no matter what generation they're from - could not be
afraid of Heather O'Rourke being sucked into a big, purple, mucous-
laden television set, but dad reassured me I am wrong. "Just you
wait and see..." My kids will probably sleep through it.
Taking this age-old rule into consideration, I watched 20 Million
Miles to Earth, one of the more notorious Ray Harryhausen-designed
sci-fi epics of the 1950s. Like Them!, it was so silly-looking and
goofy that I couldn't really get into it. Not that I didn't like the
picture - the campy glam of a creature from Venus growing in size and
terrorizing heavily-made-up women is obviously a kick in the pants -
but it just never really grabbed me. But the real treasure of this DVD
edition is probably in the nostalgia, and even better is the included
hour-long documentary "The Harryhausen Chronicles," written
and directed by Time Magazine film critic Richard Schickel. Through
interviews with ILM master genius Dennis Muren and a Mr. George Lucas
(among others), the filmmakers get across the idea that these
Harryhausen films were the Jurassic Parks of their age.
For
me, the actual film isn't really all that exciting (even the way-cool
trailers included on this DVD are exponentially more fun than the
movies themselves), but to give credit where credit is due, these
midnight movies of the 50s and 60s are key to film history. Then I
watched 20 Million Miles to Earth again after watching the doc, and it
made all the difference in the world. Just because these films may not
carry the same effects grandeur modern audiences now expect doesn't
mean they are not vastly important (or good) films. Those readers out
there who have a pure appreciation for the Harryhausen magic will find
this DVD an imperative addition to their collection. For all others,
at the very least it will help prepare you to explain to your kids why
Jurassic Park was so cool when it first came out.
Video: How
Does The Disc Look?
Presented in its original 1.37:1 aspect
ratio and glorious black and white, 20 Million Miles to earth has
never looked as good as it does here on this DVD. With a sparkling new
print, detail is surprisingly good. Black and contrast are right on,
and despite some blurry optical-effects shots, this is sharp and
three-dimensional. Yes, it does look a bit aged, but it is over 40
years old. The print is blemish-free, there are no visible signs of
compression artifacting and edge enhancement is all but absent. A
great transfer.
Audio: How Does The Disc Sound?
The new English 2.0 stereo mix presented here has a few problems,
but given the limited source material, still better than you'd expect.
Dynamic range is certainly lacking by today's standards with shrill
high end and little kick to the low end. Dialogue is relatively clear,
but the effects and score can be muddy, but given that this comes from
mono elements, at least we get a pretty good imitation of true stereo
separation. Not bad for a film of this vintage.
Also included
are English and French subtitles and English Closed Captions.
Supplements: What Goodies Are There?
Definitely the
crown jewel of this collection is The Harryhausen Chronicles,
an excellent hour-long documentary that is more than enough reason to
buy this DVD. George Lucas, Leonard Nimoy, Dennis Muren - these and
more notable science-fiction freaks make this a must-see, and the
archive interviews with Harryhausen himself are revelatory and
fascinating. It's amazing to witness the scope of his career, from the
garage-films of his youth to his massive epic Clash of the Titans.
Essential viewing!
The This is Dynamation featurette is
a fascinating little 6-minute promotional film made at the time of
Harryhausen's then-new filmmaking techniques. It shows some great
footage from one of Harryhausen's popular Sinbad movies as well as a
few cool new creatures Ray was coming up with at the time. Short but
sweet.
Also included are some cool old-school theatrical
trailers for 20 Million Miles to Earth and Harryhausen's
Gulliver's Travels, both in full frame.
DVD-ROM Exclusives:
What do you get when you pop the disc in your PC?
No ROM
extras have been included.
Parting Thoughts
This
DVD is a fan's dream. A wonderfully-restored print, a capable sound
mix, and extras that prove without a doubt the wonder and cinematic
achievement of Ray Harryhausen. Like I said, watching the extras on
this disc then watching the film again makes a world of difference.
The film itself isn't perhaps Harryhausen's best, but for $24.95
you're not going to find a better showcase for his inimitable talents
than this. Highly recommended.
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