Review by John Delia
A different kind of sci-fi thriller, the movie Color Out of Space is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K UHD/BD and Digital HD. The film has some very good acting, direction and cinematography. The storyline is a bit unimaginative, but does entertain with a narrative that should provide some scares, thrills and a feeling of terror if it’s a dark rainy night and you are at home alone. Especially if you live in a secluded dark forest that has a long ominous road leading to your estate.
To give you some idea of the depth of the film it starts out with a statement by one of the main protagonists, Ward Phillips (Elliot Knight) a Hydrologist looking for a new water source to create a reservoir for the town of Arkham. “West of Arkham the hills rise wild and there are valleys with deep woods that no ax has ever cut. There are dark, narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught a glimpse of sunlight. When I went into the hills and vales to survey for the new reservoir, they told me the place was evil. They told me this in Arkham, and because it’s a very old town full of witch legends, I thought the evil must be something which granddames had whispered to children through centuries. Then I saw the dark westward tangle of glens and slopes for myself…and ceased to wonder at anything besides its own elder mysteryâ€.
Fast forward to the Gardner Family living in that same woods far from the nearest town and hustle bustle. It’s what Nathan (Nicolas Cage) and Theresa (Joely Richardson) like the most about their estate home with sprawling acres of natural landscapes. Their children Lavinia Gardner (Madeleine Arthur), Benny (Brendan Meyer) and Jack (Julian Hilliard) don’t mind the seclusion and are content. During his survey of the woods, Ward meets teenager Lavinia by a river. Concerned somewhat by her incantations, he approaches her cautiously. After a quick explanation that she is warding off the evil of cancer in her mother, Ward thinks it’s just an act.
That night however, Benny notices some weird activity on his computer screen and then a burst of colors that give the teen some concern. The colors get brighter and young Jack gives out a disturbing scream from a hallway. During the ferocious storm that follows with a multicolored sky Benny spots a meteor touching down in their yard. It begins a mystery that will involve the Arkham local authorities, the Gardner Family and Ward.
Director Richard Stanley takes writer Scarlett Amaris’s sci-fi terror story and gives it a lot of mystery, excitement and then a strong wave of doom. He works his characters into a frazzle ignoring signs of alien influence and shadowy glows that are affecting the family as the film progresses. He works well with Nicholas Cage letting him do his thing as the dad who wants to be in control of the situation that is developing on his property. He feeds the other characters around Nathan and each actor gives it their best with convincing performances.
Color Out of Space has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains drug use, sci-fi violence, profuse lascivious language, and gore. The film is being released on several formats including 4K. Not for the immature, please consider watching the film first before letting young children see the movie.
FINAL ANALYSIS: One of Nicholas Cage’s better outings. (3 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast:  Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur,
Directed by: Richard Stanley
Written by: Scarlett Amaris
Genre: Horror, Sci-fi
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, drug use, sci-fi violence, profuse lascivious language
Running Time: 1 hr. 50 min.
Video Release Date: February 25, 2020
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: RLJE Films
Released on: DVD, Blu-ray, 4K UHD/BD and Digital HD