Krull (1983) - Review in 4K Ultra HD

      Krull, 1983.

      Directed by Peter Yates.

      Starring Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, Francesca Annis, Liam Neeson, and Robbie Coltrane.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Are you a fan of the entertaining, yet somewhat cheesy (in my view) film Krull from 1983? If that's the case, you'll definitely want to grab the new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release from Sony. The film has been remastered and comes with a variety of bonus features, as well as a code for a digital copy.

      The reality is that a movie either resonates with you or it doesn’t. If you find enjoyment in it despite its mixed reception, feel free to embrace it as a guilty pleasure—or whatever term suits you.

      Personally, I have a fondness for The Black Hole. I realize it's not a great film, but I adore the special effects and the nostalgia it brings me from my childhood. While Star Wars also holds that nostalgic place for me, I’ve been a fan of that franchise since 1977, whereas The Black Hole is tied to a specific time in my life.

      So, if you share a similar sentiment for Krull, now is your opportunity to own this movie in stunning 4K Ultra HD, complete with an attractive Steelbook and a code for a digital version. I have to admit I don't regard this movie as highly, but I won't dismiss your enjoyment of it, as the younger generation would say.

      Released in 1983, Krull was among many films riding the box office wave initiated by Star Wars. Its debut in the same summer as Return of the Jedi posed challenges, but it's uncertain if a different release date would have improved its performance.

      The narrative unfolds on the planet Krull, which is under siege by the Beast and his minions known as Slayers. Two kingdoms attempt to unite against the invasion by arranging a marriage between their heirs, Prince Colwyn and Princess Lyssa, but the Slayers disrupt the ceremony. Colwyn is injured, and Lyssa is taken captive.

      Colwyn is healed by Ynyr, the Old One, who informs him that he can defeat the Beast with a weapon called the Glaive, resembling a large throwing star with retractable blades. (Why Ynyr didn’t suggest this approach from the start is unclear.) Colwyn and Ynyr embark on a quest to locate the Glaive, take it to the Black Fortress, and confront the Beast.

      During their journey, they gather several companions, including early screen roles by Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrane. The plot is fairly standard, but the special effects are decent, and James Horner delivers his usual excellent score, although it evokes some similarities to his iconic Star Trek music.

      The 4K Ultra HD version offered here presents a restored copy of the film, which looks impressive and should satisfy Krull fans eager for the ultimate home video edition. This transfer was approved by cinematographer Peter Suschitzky.

      The same restoration appears on the included Blu-ray, which also features some bonus content carried over from the 2001 DVD release. I'm fairly certain these extras weren’t in the Blu-rays released earlier, at least not in the U.S., but this is my first experience with this film on home video.

      The bonus features begin with two commentary tracks. The first includes director Peter Yates, editor Ray Lovejoy, and actors Ken Marshall and Lysette Anthony. Recorded separately, this format sidesteps the common issues found in group commentaries, such as distractions from in-jokes.

      The other track is unique; it features someone reading a full article from the November 1982 issue of Cinefantastique magazine. This preview of Krull sometimes leans more promotional than journalistic, but it's an entertaining way to connect with the print culture of that time. However, it only covers the first 73 minutes of the film.

      Additionally, an old-school featurette titled "Journey to Krull," which runs about 22 minutes, is included. It is heavily promotional and doesn't delve into the challenges faced during production. Perhaps a proper making-of documentary will be released someday, but I’m unsure if this film has a significant enough fan base for that.

      The theatrical trailer completes the collection.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook