Starring Sid Haig, Robert Englund, Edward Albert, Ray Walston, Robert Englund, Erin Moran, Grace Zabriskie, Taaffe O’Connell
Directed by Bruce D. Clark
Distributed by Shout! Factory
For many, many years Galaxy of Terror has only been available to serious collectors who bust their asses to make sure that whatever movie they’re seeking is lovingly burned onto a DVDr and placed into their collection. Why is it so hard to find? It may have something to do with the whole chick being violated by a giant maggot scene for starters. Folks tend to shy away from such subject matter as that. Thankfully, Shout! Factory has stepped in and not only given this flick an official release as part of its Roger Corman Collection, but a pretty friggin’ stellar one at that!
The story is simple, if not at times a bit convoluted. The future is here and its ruler, the glowy redhead known only as The Master, has sent a rescue ship to the planet Morganthus in search of the remains of some other explorers who encountered some pretty pissed off aliens when their ship crashed there.
Upon arrival our motley crew of space explorers, including Sid Haig, Robert Englund, Grace Zabriskie, and even Shortcake herself, Erin Moran, find the ship’s wreckage along with a giant pyramid-like structure that looks to be home to all manner of interstellar horrors. That’s right, kids, it’s hell on … well … not Earth for our wild bunch as whatever is existing on this planet has the power to manifest itself into whoever happens upon its greatest fear. And from there the body count piles up pretty damned high.
The DVD and the Blu-ray are home to prints of this flick that are literally to die for, and while of course the Blu edges out its standard definition cousin in terms of picture quality and sound, you really can’t miss either way. Especially since each package is home to the same set of stunning new special features put together by supplemental badass Michael Felsher and his crew at Red Shirt Pictures, some of whom are proud Dread Central alumni. We’re proud of ya, boys!
Things kick off with a lively commentary featuring star Taaffe O’Connell, creature effects guys Allan Apone and Alec Gillis, and moderator David DeCoteau. These folks have some tales to tell, and DeCoteau knows how to keep the conversation moving at a brisk pace.
Add on the screenplay, a kickass twelve-page essay by Rue Morgue’s former editor Jovanka Vuckovic, some massive photo galleries, and of course a trailer gallery; and we have one of the most extras stacked releases of the year.
The love and affection Shout! Factory puts into its products makes me wish the company was handling every DVD and Blu-ray release to come out. Still, they have a full enough slate ahead of them that’s littered with tons more horror movies waiting to creep into our collections. One thing’s for certain … it’s a great time to be a Roger Corman fan.
Special Features
3 1/2 out of 5
Special Features
5 out of 5