DVD
Review | Android (Region 2)
Written by: Kage
Alan
While not many people caught this film at
theatres when it actually played (so many of the smaller Sci-Fi films
are rediscovered because of this phenomena), plenty did catch it on
cable TV. Let’s face it, without cable, most of us wouldn’t have seen
a huge number of rare, almost cult films. VHS resurrected many of
these movies, only with awful transfers and overall poor quality.
Sure, it was a sign of the times, but boy am I glad we’ve got DVD.
The quality may still be highly questionable, but the titles are
getting released and the ONLY reason I can say that is because these
titles are showing up in Widescreen. Good grief. I really AM a DVD
snob.
Roger Corman did seem to land some legendary actors
for his low-budget fare and “Android” is no exception. We have a space
station out in the middle of nowhere with only two inhabitants, the
brilliant Dr. Daniel (legendary Klaus Kinski) and Max 404
(not-so-legendary, yet decent, Don Keith Opper). What are they doing
out there? Making an android, duh! Well, making an improved android.
Max is the first and Cassandra (Kendra Kirchner) will be the upgraded
model. Aside from seeing to all the menial tasks, Max has taken a great
interest in studying human behavior, specifically sexuality. Alas, what
can come of it, though? Klaus Kinski isn’t exactly the most attractive
guy to grace outer space and he doesn’t appear particularly hormonal.
What’s an android to do? Or…who for that matter?
Fortunately, a group of escaped prisoners is about
to land on the station in search of parts for their ship to make
repairs. They’re Keller (Norbert Weisser), Mendes (Crofton Hardester)
and Maggie (the lovely Brie Howard). Not only do they soon discover
that the station is a momentary safe refuge, but Max is interested in
going with them. The only drawback is that Dr. Daniel seems to have
suddenly developed a thing for Maggie, indicating that he really does
have hormones and that Max probably just wasn’t doing it for him.
Mystery solved. Will the doctor let them all go? Will Cassandra ever
be turned on…literally? Will the authorities catch up with our three
convicts? Yeah…like I’m going to tell you.
Despite its low budget roots, “Android” is actually
an effective little picture with quite a bit going for it. Kinski plays
just the right amount of menace and kinkiness, Opper understands the
innocent nature of his character and Howard adds just the right amount
of feminine vulnerability. The story keeps moving and first time
director Aaron Lipstadt ended up with a far better film than Corman had
any right to expect.
Anchor Bay overseas has released “Android” in its
original Widescreen ratio. After years of catching this on cable at
friends’ houses, it’s a pleasant surprise to see it in a better ratio.
While that’s the good news, the bad news is that there is a ton of print
damage, flecks and specs. Video quality is simply crap, but,
fortunately, the audio fares much better. As for extras, I’m pleasantly
surprised that we do indeed have some. There’s a trailer, some
Production photos, Film Notes, a Klaus Kinski bio, the film script
(accessible on a DVD-ROM drive) and a film gallery (also accessible on a
DVD-ROM drive).
My thought is that if Anchor Bay in England can
manage to get the rights to this film, hopefully Anchor Bay in North
America can get it, too. If they clear up the rights, I know they’ll do
a stellar job remastering the video. Why they would release it in
England looking like it does is beyond me. Well, until a better version
does indeed come along, we have this. And I’m betting that you’d like
to know where you can get a copy for your collection? I picked mine up
while in London, but
www.XploitedCinema.com, a company I’ve been dealing with for many
months now, happens to have copies on hand. Be sure to check them out!
Film Rating:
C (Lower grade for poor disc quality)
DVD Special Features: C+
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