Robowar Blu-ray Review

In 1984 Terminator was introduced to the world.  Then in 1987 Predator was released.  But then in 1988 a movie that combined both Terminator and Predator came out that starred Reb Brown (Captain America from the original TV films, and a very nice man I had the privilege of meeting) and was directed by the infamous Bruno Mattei.  That film was Robowar. Commandos in the jungle battle not only mercenaries, but an evil robot hunting them as well. I’ve seen plenty of movies, but I have to say I really enjoyed this completely bonkers mash-up.
 
Reb Brown is Major Black he leads a team of commandos to stop a group of guerrilla forces invading a hospital camp.  They were sent by a man named Manchester, who has an evil ulterior motive.  He created the Omega 1 Robot, which has gone rouge and is killing people in the jungle.  Hunting them for sport it would seem.  Well Major Black and his team are known as BAM (Bad Ass Mother F---ers) and Manchester has recruited them because they are the most elite team out there.  The have little to no problem taking out the evil troops in the small jungle, and saving a young woman named Virginia who runs said hospital, but things go bad when red laser beams start flying out of nowhere killing not only the evil gorillas but Major Black’s men as well. They cant see this evil android because it can cloak itself.  In other bad news we learn that Manchester is really just there to see how well his creation can hold up against a real human army.  SO there is evil all around.
 
I should mention as well that the Omega 1 is actually not all robot.  See it’s a blend of human and robot.  The human part, primarily the brain belonged to Major Blacks old Lt.,  Martin Woodrie.  He remembers Black and begins to have more and more human thoughts.  That’s right, not only do we have Predator and Terminator we get Robocop as well.  This all of course leads to plenty of jungle shoot outs and battles. And yes lots and lots of one liners.  For instance when Black throws a knife in a bad guys chest killing him instantly he yells “Don’t Move!” I didn’t say they were great one liners or anything, just lots of them.
 
The Omega 1 is actually a very cool design.  Its like a combination of The Guyver, and a Power Ranger wearing an old 80’s motorcycle helmet. You throw in explosions, a cool atmosphere and some awesome techno music mixed with bad 80’s synth and you have a classic on your hands.  From yelling commandos to evil bad guys to a Predator Robot this has it all and more. 
 
Its been a cult classic for years and was one of the more heavily traded and sought after VHS tapes back in the 90’s but the print always looked bad.  Well now the great people over at Severin are taking care of that and releasing this long lost classic on Blu-ray.  I must say the transfer looks fantastic.  One of the crisper ones I’ve seen.  Severin has really done an amazing job with there transfers, but as this one is pretty much all shot outside it really shows off how well of a job they actually do.  All the colors of the jungle come to life.  The audio is clear and sounds great in surround sound. The new cover art is great.  I had told Severin many times, and I will tell them again, if your reading this please, please start offering posters of these covers.  Not only do you get the great transfer but it’s loaded with special features as well.
 
·         Robo Predator: Interview with Co-Director/Co-WriterClaudio Fragasso
·         Italian Rip Off: Interview with Co-Writer Rossella Drudi
·         Violence She Wrote: Career Interview with ScreenwriterRossella Drudi
·         Robo-Lady: Interview with Actress Catherine Hickland
·         Papa Doc’s War: Interview with Actor John P. Dulaney
·         The Robowarrior: Interview with Actor Jim Gaines Jr.
·         War in the Phillipines: Interview with Actor/StuntmanMassimo Vanni
·         Catherine Hickland’s Behind The Scenes Home Movies
·         Trailer
·         Bonus Disc: CD SOUNDTRACK
 
So to sum this up.  You get A Robocop style terminator hunting commandos in the jungle just like in Predator.  I really don’t think anymore needs to be said other than pick this up and add it to your collection now!
 
Overall 3.5 out of 5 Stars!