DARK ANGEL / I COME IN PEACE (Craig R. Baxley, 1989)

[Jox]

The UK retail VHS cover

(click for high-resolution)

[Jox]

http://www.alliedvaughn.com/?p=656

Dolph Lundgren on “Dark Angel”, a new MGM Limited Classics Library MOD title



Dolph, congratulations on your recent success in “The Expendables”. How does it feel to have your performance singled out by many reviewers as a one of the best in the ensemble cast?
”Felt great to be back on the big screen working with Stallone. He created a terrific character for me – for the second time in my career. I tried my best to make Crazy Gunner come alive. The audience seem to appreciate the complexity of Gunner and the fact you didn’t really know how it was going to end.”

Of course, your relationship with Stallone is legendary, as you epitomized the Russian athlete in the role of Drago in “Rocky IV”, have you and Sly stayed close over the years?
“We’ve kept in touch, but since only recently moved back to LA from Europe we didn’t see each other that much. After you train and spar together 6 days a week for 6 months you get to know each other quite well.”

We’re reaching out to you today, as the MGM Classic Collection has released your 1990 film, “Dark Angel” out through Allied Vaughn’s On Demand DVD services to the major online DVD stores and retailers. What can you tell us about your experience on this film?
“It was a really fun script and the director Craig Baxley did a great job. It was a sort of underrated picture at the time, but a lot of my fans love it. Should be a remake!”

Your character Jack Caine is an interesting hero, what were your inspirations for the character?
“Yeah, my character had a nice arc and some good lines”

Were there plans to continue with additional films in this series? Your antagonist, Matthias Hues, is a huge actor with some incredible fight scenes with you, did you both do many of your own stunts?
“He is a great athlete, I believe he was in the Olympics and did some incredible physical feats, pre-cgi! Especially putting his life on the line jumping from car to car chased by a series of very real explosions.”

Thank you Dolph, I am sure a new audience is ready to enjoy this film and we wish you all the best of success. We look forward to “Expendibles Two” coming to the theaters August 2012.

The storyline of the 1990 film, “Dark Angel” has Dolph starring as a police detective who must stop the murderous rampage of a criminal alien who’s addicted to human endorphins.Released as part of the MGM Classic Collection, you can order the film from a host of online retailers, feel free to contact me where to buy. Also, don’t hestitate to inquire about the MGM Collection or how you can maximize the breadth of your content with on demand manufacturing and distribution using the similar approach. With many thanks to Anders Frejdh, Editor, From Sweden With Love, Scandinavia’s premier James Bond website. Richard Skillman mediatrends@alliedvaughn.com

[Jox]

They are burned on dvd-r. For the reviews I have read, they do a pretty decent job on them. I doubt the pictures going to look terrible. No features though.

It features the international trailer (widescreen).

[Stadanko]

Cool. Anyone get a look at this dvd release yet?

[Jox]

Yes what do you want to know?

Features:
Image: Widescreen 1.85 - 16/9
Sound: English Dolby Digital 2.0
+Widescreen Trailer

Aside from the front, the cover barely has any design, it's basic.

Image good, sound good, descent transfer, they say it's made from the best material available, it's likely base don the same HD master used for the previous PAL edition.

[Jox]

French clips

[Jox]

R1 MOD DVD REVIEW
http://www.themoviepool.com/reviews/ite ... eview.html

[Jox]

Another review from DVDTalk
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/53317/dark-angel/

THE DVD:

Video:
Released as part of MGM's Manufactured-on-demand program (the Limited Edition Collection), a title card states that "this film has been manufactured using the best source material available". The 1.85:1 Letterbox presentation actually looks pretty decent. Sure, there are occasional specks and scratches with some scenes displaying softness but none of it is too distracting. Much of this film takes place at night with acceptable shadow detail in darker shots.

Audio:
The audio was presented in a Dolby Digital 2.0 mix without any subtitles. The mix provided adequate support for Jan Hammer's synth-tastic score. The dialogue also came through with clarity since the mix was free of any obvious defects.

Extras:
The only extra is a Trailer (2:42) for the feature. There are also chapter stops at 10 minute intervals.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Director Craig Baxley's 1990 flick, Dark Angel, is a fun little buddy cop movie that finds Dolph Lundgren in a more relaxed (but still butt-kicking) mode. It also features evil drug dealing aliens and plenty of explosions. If that's your sort of thing (and why shouldn't it be?), then step right up. If you demand even a little more substance than that, then I probably lost you at 'strippers wearing cowboy hats'. Dolph fans will definitely find plenty to love. Recommended.

[Geoff]

My fav D film ever!

[whiteandblank]

the alien bad guy is one funky dude

[Jox]

Japanese VHS cover

[Jox]

Redband trailer

[Jox]

Hurts So Good - DARK ANGEL
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/54256

[Coligion]

Why couldn't I Come in Peace get a stateside DVD release, as opposed to these DVD-R cop-outs? I'm assuming MGM just felt there was very little demand for such a release? I'm fortunate enough to have a region free DVD player, so I imported the U.K. disc years ago. I still hope this film can get a Blu-Ray release. It's definitely one of Dolph's best.

[ShawnWatson]

Warner now own the US rights.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=8459