Kino Lorber have been giving many of these style cult films a chance to thrive on Home Video in HD through their KL Studio Classics Blu-rays. And many of these more than thrive they look better than ever thanks to new 2k and 4k scans. Now Programmed to Kill AKA Retaliator gets it's chance to shine.
A female terrorist (Sanddahl Bergman, Conan the Barbarian) from the middle east is captured by ex-CIA agent Eric Matthews (Robert Ginty, The Exterminator, Exterminator 2) in Greece, after an attack on a marketplace. Now she is transported back to the USA and undergoes an operation where she is transformed into a cybernetic killing machine. Now the CIA have a weapon to send back, but how long can they control her?
Okay! So needless to say no matter what name you put it under whether it's Retaliator or Programmed to Kill the truth remains the same. The Terminator or RoboCop this is not! But that doesn't mean this film is void of redeeming qualities. The acting is believable. The first 10 minutes really draws you in with the action, but than it kind of drops off as the story goes into building the perfect weapon. But it slowly ramps up. So if you can stick with the story through the down time you will enjoy the last part of the film.
Director Alan Holzman (Forbidden World, Grunt! The Wrestling Movie) brings you a futuristic ride that in this day and age does seem so far fetched. The film is rated R so just realize there is some good amount of violence and profanity. Something to look out for in this film as well is a young Paul Walker.
Kino Lorber has transferred Programmed to Kill in HD 1080p in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There is also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. Now one of the cool things about this release is this from a brand new 2K Master.
I have to say I am so extremely impressed by this new 2K scan. For a low budget sci-fi film of the 80s to look this great is a miracle. There is no signs of damage to the picture and the audio is clear as a bell. But a gorgeous new 2K scan of this film is not all that is included on this Blu-ray! Take a look at the bonus features
* Audio Commentary by Director Allan Holzman, Moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale
* Interview with Screenwriter Robert Short
* Alternate Opening Credit
* Theatrical Trailer
If you can get past the lull in the action and just delve into the story, you will find yourself intrigued by the story. Just don't expect a non stop action fest and you should be just fine. After all The original Terminator film wasn't a non-stop action fest.
So if you love 80s sci-fi cyborg films this is going to be one film you are going to want for your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy of this new Blu-ray release of Programmed to Kill.
Out of Four Film Reels Sets (Four Being the Best) KL Studio Classics Blu-ray release Programmed To Kill receives...
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