Plan 9 From Outer Space … on Blu-ray … ?!?

If ever there was a film suited for Blu-ray, it’s Plan 9 From Outer Space.

Think about it:

Blu-ray is the optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the standard DVD format. Conversely, Plan 9 From Outer Space has been hailed by fans and critics alike as the worst film of all time. Has there ever been a better match made for each other than these two? It’s destiny, I tell you. Magical. Right from the get-go, Blu-ray will accentuate every aspect of this flick:

• “Imagine the fine detail in the shower curtains of the plane’s cockpit. Imagine the richness of the cemetery landscape when Tor Johnson resurrects!” — JoAnna Wioskowski
• “I bet you’ll even be able to see the crumbs on the pie plate flying saucers!” — Chuck Duncan

Seriously, people: If you don’t have the wherewithal to stop whatever it is you’re doing this Tuesday (March 6th) and run down to your local Best Buy or pop on-line (preferably at Amazon.com, see link below), you will be missing out on …

The! … Best! … Utilization! … Of! … Blu-ray! … Techonology! … Ever!

• “Michael, that’s the biggest exaggeration of hyperbole ever!” — Michael Scharf

I beg to differ, Mr. Scharf. This was foretold … fated … forecast! The contrast between the worst film and the best technology to showcase it rocks. Schlocky as P9FOS is, the plot does move along at a nice little clip. It boasts pretty chipper dialogue, too. And! Oh! Those special effects! Blu-ray is certain to … enhance … the film. *chortle*

Some of my favorite scenes in this “classic” are with Bela Lugosi‘s stand-in. (Lugosi died during filming and needed to be replaced with a “double.”) The replacement is not only taller than Lugosi, but never shows his face, comically avoiding “detection” by keeping his mug cloaked and the viewer “in the dark.” *snort* And there’s so much more! So how can you suggest this is “the biggest exaggeration of hyperbole ever” … ?!?

• “This is one great movie, but I’ve often wondered what the 8 other plans were.  I’ll bet plans 1-8 were just plain silly, but each plan thereafter must have gotten increasingly better and better, until they just couldn’t wait any longer when they got to their 9th plan. They were probably like, ‘EUREKA! THIS is the plan!'” — Stephen Richter

I’m glad you mentioned this, Stephen! Because among the extras on the Blu-ray edition (with include a restored B&W print, a commentary track by Mystery Science Theater 3000‘s Mike Nelson, home movies of director Ed Wood, commercials produced by Wood and faux comedic deleted scenes) is a Mike Nelson “Lost Alien Plans 1 Through 8″ short. Just what the doctor ordered!

But wait! There’s more! How about colorized versions of the film and trailer, too? The hits just keep on comin’ … !!!

• “But ‘colorizing’ it is really just putting lipstick on a pig … it’s not necessary.” — Dane Pereslete

Au contraire, mon frère! On any other Z-grade piece of schlock I would agree with you. But this … THIS … is “the worst film of all time” … !!! That gives it special privilege in my book to get the pampered treatment.

So folks? Don’t let this “classic” slip by you! It deserves a home in your fine, fine film collection … regardless of its reputation.

(Important Note: There are two Blu-ray versions of Plan 9 From Outer Space available. A Passport Video edition and an Image Entertainment edition. The Image product is far superior to the Passport version. Both are offered on Amazon, so be certain you make the right choice! See some of the insightful reviews by folks in the know when you access the Amazon link below.)

Quotes:

“Visits? That would indicate visitors.” — Air Force Captain

“I’ve never seen you in this mood before.” — Paula Trent
“I guess that’s because I’ve never been in this mood before.” — Jeff Trent

“This is the most fantastic story I’ve ever heard.” — Colonel Tom Edwards
“And every word of it’s true, too.” — Jeff Trent
“That’s the fantastic part of it.” — Colonel Tom Edwards

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Mar 03, 2012 @ 08:00 EST5EDT