Lifeforce (1985) (Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review)
Directed By: Tobe Hooper
Starring: Steve Railsback, Peter Firth, Mathilda May
Rated: R/Region: 1/2:35/Number of disc: 2
Available from Scream Factory
A mission to investigate Halley’s Comet discovers an alien spacecraft. After a deadly confrontation, the aliens travel to Earth, where their seductive leader begins a terrifying campaign to drain the life force of everyone she encounters. Her victims, in turn, continue the cycle, and soon the entire planet is in mortal danger.
Lifeforce is a fantastic story all around. While the base of the plot is about space vampires that suck the life out of you instead of blood, the story includes apocalyptic elements and even seem to touch on some zombie elements as well. Our lead vampire is played by Mathilda May and this one is about as perfect as you could get. This of course only adds to the story and her character is very memorable for reasons beyond the obvious ones you’d think of when you take into account she spends most of the movie completely naked. I’ve never been that crazy about vampires, but this movie impressed me with its story and its look.
We also have some great 80s effects here. They do seem to remind you at times of the zombie on the table in Return of the Living Dead, then again Tobe Hooper did leave that project and Dan O’Bannon who did that screenplay did do this one as well. I think that might be why the story is so well-done. Add in Tobe Hooper behind the camera and you can see why we have a classic. The movie is just slightly slow out the gate, but still packs creepy settings. The film then rolls into an epic vampire adventure that combines science fiction with horror perfectly. The transfer here is also really good we well, with just a bit of grain in some darker settings.
– Both Theatrical & International Versions of the film (Theatrical cut available on the Blu-ray only.)
– New Commentary with Director Tobe Hooper
– New Retrospective with Cast & Crew including Star Steve Railsback, Tobe Hooper and others!
– Original vintage “Making-Of Lifeforce” Featurette
– Original Theatrical Trailer
– TV Spot
– Still Gallery
