BADass SINema Unearthed - Blu-ray 4K UHD Review

Movie Review

Cyborg is a prime of example of why the action flicks of yesteryear kicked so much damn ass. With a charismatic performance from Jean-Claude Van Damme and more than a fair share of gnarly and over-the-top action sequences, it’s no wonder that this flick is a top request for HD delights.

And now a true Cannon classic comes home with a brand new coat of dystopian wax thanks to Scream Factory.

Cyborg, directed by Albert Pyun, is every bit the homoerotic martial arts classic you remember it being. Except maybe this time you will note its similarities to Sergio Leone’s own epics and, hmm, let’s say something more biblical in nature. And to think it was built from the rubble that was supposed to have been Masters of the Universe 2.

>Oh, yes, Cyborg, clocking in at a brisk 86-minutes, guarantees that there will be blood. Originally rated X for the sheer amount of carnage, this science fiction-minded title underwent a few nips and tucks before it landed in theaters. That’s when the real bloodshed began as it was kicked around by every print critic in town and that was for every single thing that makes it awesome, including that beat-down finale. Overacting? Check. Insane violence? Check. Visible spaces in-between each punch and kick? Oh, hell, yes.

Cyborg, written by Kitty Chalmers and Daniel Hubbard-Smith, is a high-flying flick where the majority of the characters are named after guitars. Gibson Rickenbacker (Jean-Claude Van Damme). Fender Tremolo (Vincent Klyn). Marshall Strat (Alex Daniels).   Need I continue? Because there’s Les, Pearl Prophet, and Nady Simmons, too. I mean, really, how kick ass is that?!   Of course, we are going to dig the hell out of it.

Anyway, the film begins with Dayle Haddon as Pearl Prophet volunteering to be made into a cyborg in order to retrieve some precious information that just might save what’s left of humanity. Thing is, out in the wastelands where the sunglass and chainmail-wearing Fender Tremolo and his roving gang of pirates kill and destroy everything in sight, she needs protection; a guide, if you will.

That’s where the ass-kicking prowess of Van Damme as Gibson Rickenbacker comes into play. He must take down the angry, muscle-bound gang of ragtag-looking pirates in order to get Pearl where she needs to go. Thankfully, brutality is his middle name – although Deborah Richter as Nady Simmons, a survivor he partners up with, thinks he’s just okay – and he’s not about to let a little debris falling on him, with a majestic thrusting of his hand he clears the rubble, or a blast from an air gun sideline him in any way.

Not even an offer of sex will keep him from wasting energy on anything but the task at hand. That’s how dedicated he becomes to the mission of saving humanity. He even pays the ultimate price for our sins by hanging on a cross overnight. Yes, we go there with this kick flick through the darkest future days in Atlanta, Georgia.

Watch a kickboxing Van Damme transform into Jesus in front of your very eyes. Cyborg is now available in HD thanks a new 4K scan of the original interpositive from the fine folk at Scream Factory.

Film Details

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 86 minsDirector: Albert Pyun
Writer: Albert Pyun
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Deborah Richter, Vincent Klyn
Genre: Action | Sci-fi
Tagline: He's the First Hero of the 21st Century...And He's Our Only Hope.
Memorable Movie Quote: "I'll take you to Atlanta, and you'll give *me* the cure. And if you don't, I'll give you the horror show."
Theatrical Distributor: The Cannon Group
Official Site:
Release Date: April 7, 1989
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: April 24, 2018
Synopsis: Deteriorating from a deadly plague, 21st-Century America is descending into a barbaric nightmare. Only Pearl Prophet (Dayle Haddon), a beautiful half human/half cyborg, has the knowledge necessary to develop a vaccine. But during her quest to gather data and bring the cure to the world, Pearl is captured by cannibalistic Flesh Pirates who plot to keep the antidote for themselves and rule the world. Now, only saber-wielding hero Gibson Rickenbacker (Van Damme) can rescue her and save civilization.

Blu-ray Review

Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - April 23, 2018
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Region A

Scream Factory’s 1080p transfer (with an aspect ration of 1.85:1) looks pretty solid for a film shot in the heyday of cinematic mac and cheese. Some shots, due to the era of the day, are fuzzier than others but the image is reasonably well defined with crisp contrasts and solid textures. Colors are solid. Blacks are, too. Surprisingly, there's enough fine detail on display to make this seem revelatory for those used to the previous DVD release. Its dystopian palette looks terrific, too. While there is not much difference between them, the disc comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo soundtrack.

Supplements:

Commentary:

Albert Pyun provides a strong commentary on the making of the movie.

Special Features:

Outside of the 4K Scan from the original film element and the cool commentary from writer/director Albert Pyun, this set is also loaded with a NEW making of featurette, a NEW look at the special effects, extended interviews from a documentary, a cool new slipcover, and a still gallery.

A Ravaged Future – The Making Of CYBORG – Featuring Interviews With Writer/Director Albert Pyun, Actors Vincent Klyn, Deborah Richter, And Terrie Batson, Director Of Photography Philip Alan Waters, And Editor Rozanne Zingale

Shoestring Fantasy – The Effects Of CYBORG – Featuring Interviews With Visual Effects Supervisor Gene Warren Jr., Go-Motion Technician Christopher Warren, And Rotoscope Artist Bret Mixon

Extended Interviews From Mark Hartley’s Documentary ELECTRIC BOOGALOO: THE WILD, UNTOLD STORY OF CANNON FILMS With Writer/Director Albert Pyun And Sheldon Lettich

Theatrical Trailer

Still Gallery