Have you ever wanted to watch a leather-clad Tommy Lee Jones team up with Linda Hamilton to steal a one of a kind supercar? Well here’s your chance, as Arrow Video has released a brand new 2K restoration of Black Moon Rising, packed to the brim full of extras.
Tasked with stealing a tape which contains evidence of corporate crime, Sam Quint is a master thief who finds himself biting off more than he can chew. After being discovered during a botched robbery, things go from bad to worse when the prototype vehicle he hides the tape in is stolen by a gang of car thieves. When the FBI shows up, Quint is given three days to retrieve the tape back or suffer the consequences.
From a story by John Carpenter, the Black Moon has returned once again on Blu-ray to show everyone how cool the 80s really were. So if you’re an aficionado of 80s cinema and looking for some brainless fun, Black Moon Rising will take care of all your nostalgic needs. Directed by Harley Cokeliss who is responsible for a handful of other notable cult films from the past, there’s a real mixture of unique talent both in front of the camera and behind. Although the script may have gone through several rewrites, it still maintains that John Carpenter feel with random moments of hilarious violence and crazy set pieces scattered throughout.
One of the biggest surprises, however, has to be how well the special effects have stood the test of time. Thanks to the clever use of miniatures, one of the film’s biggest set pieces still looks just as impressive today as it did back then. While there are times when Black Moon Rising feels like a disjointed mess, it does manage to gradually find its feet towards the latter half when the heist aspect finally kicks in. There’s no denying how daft the film can be,especially when it edges closer to many of the action sequences which it manages to handle with the right level of absurdity. Still, this was the 80s after all, and it’s only natural that we’re able to witness a sex scene between two characters who play by their own rules. A sex scene which is, of course, accompanied by the good old saxophone.
A fun caper for those who love a solid heist movie, Black Moon Rising is a nuts and bolts pedal to the metal romp which has moments of real ingenuity. It may not look as polished as some of the blockbusters from its time, and it may not shine as bright as some other cult classics, but it still manages to be gloriously over the top. Loaded with extras for diehard fans, Arrow Video has done a great job at delivering an array of content to keep viewers busy.
Special Edition Contents: Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original 35mm interpositive, High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation, New audio commentary by Lee Gambin author of Show Me: The Making of Christine, Black Moon Ascending: a new interview with director Harley Cokeliss, Thief in The Night: Producing Black Moon Rising: a new interview with producer Douglas Curtis, Sound of Speed: Composing Black Moon Rising: a new interview with composer Laio Schifrin and music historian Daniel Schweiger, Carpenter’s Craft: a new video essay on co-writer John Carpenter’s screenwriting career by author and critic Troy Howarth, Making Black Moon Rising: an archival documentary feature behind the scenes footage and cast and crew interviews, Alternative Hong Kong version scenes, a presentation of selected scenes from Hong Kong theatrical version with a different score and sound effects, Theatrical trailer and radio spots, Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Haunt Love.
BLACK MOON RISING / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: HARLEY COKELISS / SCREENPLAY: JOHN CARPENTER, WILLIAM GRAY & DESMOND NAKANO / STARRING: TOMMY LEE JONES, LINDA HAMILTON, ROBERT VAUGHN, BUBBA SMITH / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
