STARMAN [1984 / 2017] [Blu-ray + Digital Download] [UK Release] A Tender, Moving, Science-Fiction Love Story! ‘STARMAN’ Resonates Even More Today!
Director John Carpenter presents a romantic science fiction odyssey starring Jeff Bridges in his Oscar® nominated role as an innocent alien from a distant planet who learns what it means to be a man in love. When his spacecraft is shot down over Wisconsin, Starman [Jeff Bridges] arrives at the remote cabin of a distraught young widow, Jenny Hayden [Karen Allen], and clones the form of her dead husband. The alien convinces Jenny Hayden to drive him to Arizona, explaining that if he isn't picked up by his mothership in three days, he’ll die.
Hot on their trail are government agents, intent on capturing the alien, dead or alive. En route, the Starman demonstrates the power of universal love, while Jenny Hayden rediscovers her human feelings for passion.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1985 Academy Awards®: Nominated: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Jeff Bridges. 1985 Golden Globes: Nominated: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture in a Drama for Jeff Bridges. Nominated: Best Original Score in a Motion Picture for Jack Nitzsche. 1985 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Win: Saturn Award for Best Actor for Jeff Bridges. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Actress for Karen Allen. 1986 Young Artist Awards: Nominated: Family Motion Picture Drama.
FILM FACT No.2: The film ‘STARMAN’ was inspired a short-lived television series of the same name in 1986. Parts of the film were shot in Monument Valley, Utah.
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel, Robert Phalen, Tony Edwards, John Walter Davis, Ted White, Dirk Blocker, M.C. Gainey, Sean Stanek, George 'Buck' Flower, Russ Benning, Ralph Cosham, David Wells, Anthony Grumbach, James Deeth, Alex Daniels, Carol Rosenthal, Mickey Jones, Lu Leonard, Charlie Hughes, Byron Walls, Betty Bunch, Victor McLemore, Steven Brennan, Pat Lee, Judith Kim, Ronald L. Colby, Robert Stein, Kenny Call, Jeff Ramsey, Jerry Gatlin, David Daniell, Randy Tutton, John Carpenter (uncredited), Steve Dressler (uncredited), Joel Edwards (uncredited), Mark Jensen (uncredited), Deborah Kerr (archive footage) (uncredited), Burt Lancaster (archive footage) (uncredited), Nick Sagan (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited), Veronica J. Valentini (uncredited) and Dian Van Patten (uncredited)
Director: John Carpenter
Producers: Barry Bernardi, Bruce A. Evans, Larry J. Franco, Michael Douglas and Raynold Gideon
Screenplay: Bruce A. Evans, Raynold Gideon and Dean Riesner (uncredited)
Composer: Jack Nitzsche
Cinematography: Donald M. Morgan, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Audio
Italian: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Audio
Spanish: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Greek, Hindi, Norwegian, Português and Swedish
Running Time: 114 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / SONY Pictures Home Entertainment
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘STARMAN’ [1984] When the 1977 Voyager shuttle launched into space, and along with a gold plated phonograph disc with an invite to Earth. Taking up the offer, Starman [Jeff Bridges] comes to Earth, but is quickly shot down by the US Government. Now needing to take on human form he stumbles across the home of Jenny Hayden [Karen Allen] who is in mourning for her husband, Scott. Coming across a lock of his hair, Starman changes his appearance to look like him. Completely dumbstruck by the events that have taken place, Jenny Hayden and the Starman begin their journey to Arizona where he is to be retrieved by his people.
Hot on their heels are the US Army, led by George Fox [Richard Jaeckel] who is intent on catching him for experimentation and to gauge the threat alien life forms have upon humanity. Working alongside him is Mark Shermin [Charles Martin Smith] who is more interested in the fact that aliens exist and is willing to risk his career to stay true to his beliefs. As the Starman and Jenny Hayden make their way across the United States, both learn about humanity and what it takes to be human. But of course with the pursuit of the nasty evil Government people and the military, and when Starman and Jenny Hayden arrive at the point where the Starman is to be rescued, and the military hardware seems to be gaining the upper hand at one point, and will the Starman be able to be rescued, especially as he is slowly dying? Well of course you will have to find out by purchasing this Blu-ray disc, as it is definitely edge of your seat moments at the end of the film.
With the film ‘STARMAN’ it has excellent acting combine with awesome special effects and fantastic directing from John Carpenter, as well as a very well-written script. This means that ‘STARMAN,’ for the most part, holds up extraordinarily well as a universal story and especially for a film over three decades' old. The story could prove a bit old fashioned for modern viewers, but for the most part, mainstream viewers in particular, this film should be well-received and deserved all of its awards.
Although the film ‘STARMAN’ has a fairly predictable plot, but of course it has the advantage of having the brilliant John Carpenter behind the camera, a director who is underappreciated when it comes to his ability to capture human emotions and actions on film. With John Carpenter’s subtle skill behind the camera makes for a vivid, encompassing viewing, which is essential as this is the kind of movie where a lot more can be said in a look or an action then in words. Karen Allen also holds her own as the widow who sees her husband come back to life, who then struggles with her decision to help him get home.
It would be fair to say that as soon as you hear the name John Carpenter the first thing that is likely to pop into your head is the film ‘Halloween’ and its babysitting psycho killer Michael Myers and with a previous film roster filled with action and horror movies, the last person you would expect to direct an intergalactic love story is John Carpenter. But that is exactly what happened in 1984 when he was approached by producer Michael Douglas to direct the film ‘STARMAN,’ which is now making its debut on this wonderful Blu-ray disc.
STARMAN MUSIC TRACK LIST
(I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION (1965) (Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards) [Performed by The Rolling Stones]
THEME FROM NEW YORK, NEW YORK (1977) (Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb) [Performed by Frank Sinatra]
ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM (1958) (Written by Boudleaux Bryant and Felice Bryant) (uncredited) [Performed by Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen] (uncredited)
WHAT WOULD YOUR MEMORIES DO (Written by Hank Cochran and Dean Dillon) [Performed by Vern Gosdin]
BEACH NUMBER (from ‘From Here to Eternity’) (1953) (Written by George Duning)
Blu-ray Image Quality – Columbia Pictures and SONY Pictures Home Entertainment presents the film ‘STARMAN’ and I was slightly concerned that this sci-fi film made such a long time ago would not really benefit from getting an upgrade onto Blu-ray but I was pleasantly surprised how fantastic the movie looked on screen. Presented in its original 2.40:1 aspect ratio its colours are vibrant and the opening star scene is especially beautiful on this format. Blacks levels are good and very deep in this presentation and sometimes a bit too consuming out in the night time sky. While in Karen Allen’s home things can be a hair grainy, but nothing distracting, but just worth noting. Colours are pretty solid and natural, especially showing off the mountains and deserts scenes, which look very bleak. Reds tend to shine when used on the car or on a flannel. The bright blue colours used in highlighting supernatural special effects do become a highlight and are represented with a nice glow. Skin tones are natural and consistent start to finish of the film. Facial features and textures like Karen Allen’s freckles, wrinkles, stubble, sweat and more come through pretty well in close ups and most medium shots. What shocked me is that critics have said there are a few dodgy special effects along the way; well this is complete and utter tosh, as I thought the special effects were brilliant, especially as the CGI effects in the 1984 are of course they are not as sophisticated as what CGI special effects can be produced today.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Columbia Pictures and SONY Pictures Home Entertainment brings you the film ‘STARMAN.’ It is fine, and just an average audio track that will leave you wanting just a little more power to it. The audio mix and playfulness of the speakers interplay is surprisingly there for this 1984 film. One of my biggest things with this is that it needed to feel and play louder than what we are given here. With the Low Frequency Extension: This doesn’t quite hit the deep levels you’d expect some of the more fantastic moments to, but it does enough to compliment what’s going on onscreen. As to the Surround Sound Presentation: There are some nice delights to be found in this mix as spacecraft moving from rear to front and side to side is a treat. There are also little nuances captured in the mix as well. Finally, with the Dialogue Reproduction: Vocals are clear and crisp.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras: Sadly, SONY Pictures Home Entertainment felt there was no need for any Special Features or Extras, but surely here must be in the vaults of Columbia Pictures with interviews with the cast and crew, as well as behind-the-scene documentaries and of course the usual deleted scenes.
BONUS: We have included a wonderful original mini poster for the film ‘STARMAN.’
Finally, ‘STARMAN’ is the title character and the heart of this sci-fi film and Jeff Bridges literally shines as the alien Starman and after watching his performance in this sci-fi film and having a quick catch up on his body of work since, it does slightly beggar belief he is not used more often as the leading man. With the Starman’s childlike innocence in this role is very captivating to watch and his jerky alien movements are consistent throughout. There is such a fine line between innocent and simple and I do have to say that sometimes that line is crossed, but that can be forgiven. This release comes with a highly five star rating by me, particularly if you are a John Carpenter fan and collector of his films like I am and if you have never owned this film before, well you cannot go wrong. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
