Blu-ray Review: The Last Starfighter

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

In 1984 the world was treated to an experience like no other, when movie fans were taken on the adventure with The Last Starfighter. Recently we got word that writer Jonathan R. Betuel is on board to write a sequel. So this is the perfect time to introduce a new generation to this retro classic.

There have been very few releases I have been more excited about this year than this one from Arrow Video! When I first heard that they were doing a 4K restoration of this classic 80s sc-fi film the kid in me was in seventh heaven.

Alex (Lance Guest), is a trailer park teen who dreams of escaping his prison to a better place. When the video game console Starfighter appears, Alex seems to be a natural to destroys the high score. Soon after, a mysterious car appears, driven by Centauri (Robert Preston), who offers Alex the chance to help save the universe. This is the opportunity he had been dreaming of a chance to leave the trailer park behind, in favor of the vast reaches of space. Alex takes up the offer and is soon aligned with being from all planets and backgrounds, Alex races into space to make a difference, but does he really have what it takes? You will have to watch the film to find out.

In the 80's sci-fi was just cheesy fun and The Last Starfighter was that kind of fun. Lance Guest is such a great lead Catherine Mary Stewart is so sweet as Lance's girl Maggie. And Robert Preston is amazing as Centauri. The writing was great and the special effect were really good for the 80s and they still don't look to bad in this generation.

Now Arrow Video has restored this film in 4K from an original 35mm camera negative, There is also audio options of the uncompressed 2.0 stereo, 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 4.1 audio. I have to say that this restoration looks and sounds absolutely stunning on the HD TV. It has never looked better on Blu-ray.

As usual Arrow Video goes above and beyond with their Blu-ray releases and The Last Starfighter release is no different. take a look at the bonus features included in this release.

Special Features

Brand new restoration from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative

High Definition Blu- ray (1080p) presentation

Uncompressed 2.0 stereo, 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 4.1 audio

Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

Brand new audio commentary with star Lance Guest and his son Jackson Guest

Brand new audio commentary with Mike White of The Projection Booth podcast

Archival audio commentary with director Nick Castle and production designer Ron Cobb

Maggie s Memories: Revisiting The Last Starfighter a new interview with actress Catherine Mary Stewart

Into the Starscape: Composing The Last Starfighter a new interview with composer Craig Safan

Incredible Odds: Writing The Last Starfighter a new interview with screenwriter Jonathan Betuel

Interstellar Hit-Beast: Creating the Special Effects a new interview with special effects supervisor Kevin Pike

Excalibur Test: Inside Digital Productions a new interview with sci-fi author Greg Bear on Digital Productions, the company responsible for the CGI in The Last Starfighter

Greetings Starfighter! Inside the Arcade Game an interview with arcade game collector Estil Vance on reconstructing the Starfighter game

Heroes of the Screen archival featurette

Crossing the Frontier: Making The Last Starfighter archival 4-part documentary

Image Galleries

Theatrical and Teaser Trailers

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Ferguson

First Pressing Only

Limited Edition O-Card

Limited Edition Reversible Poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork

Collector s booklet featuring new writing by Amanda Reyes and sci-fi author Greg Bear s never-before-published Omni magazine article on Digital Productions, the company responsible for the CGI in The Last Starfighter

So as you can see Arrow Video has done it yet again. They have given movie fans and blu-ray collectors another must have release. The Last Starfighter is loaded with amazing bonus content. That fans will be enjoying for hours.

If you love those 80s sci-fi films as much as I do this Arrow Video Blu-ray is an absolute must add to your collection Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today.