SHOUT FACTORY has released "FORBIDDEN PLANET," a schlocky "B" film from Roger Corman, on blu-ray.  Jesse Vint,(who?)stars as Mike Colby, a derivative of every other tough guy in sci-fi films, from Han Solo to Buck Rogers, but without the charm! Along with his side-kick, a robot named SAM-104, they head to the planet Xarbia, where a research facility is being targeted as a food source by the monster they've created while trying to develop an aid to limited food supply problems. The narrative suffers from giant holes in logic and characters do things that would make even the dumbest victims of the "FRIDAY THE 13th" series, roll their eyes about, but, it somehow seems right for this kind of film. In addition to the predictable way in which various characters are dispatched by the monster, there's plenty of "B" movie soft-core titillation, and "FORBIDDEN WORLD" works best when wearing "exploitation" on its sleeve! Far from a "good" film, "FORBIDDEN WORLD," does succeed in being a gross-out, "soft-core" sci-fi film, making the best of "B" movie limitations.

SHOUT FACTORY has provided a 1.78:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray.  Colors are consistently subdued, and artifacts are co-mingled with a plethora of age related defects. Detail is limited and the image is consistently flat. Still, however, it's impossible to imagine "FORBIDDEN WORLD" looking any better than it does right here! It certainly didn't look better on cable or laserdisc! The low budget sets and costumes are the only thing heightened by the 1080p resolution, but this only makes the film more of a novelty and, in its own way, more entertaining! Special effects, although limited by the time(prior to state-of-art CGI), is still impressive.

SHOUT FACTORY has provided a DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix. As with "GALAXY OF TERROR," the entire mix is delegated to the center channel! It's obvious, by the lack of fidelity, how limited the budget for this film was. Sound effects seem mediocre and cheap, even by '80s standards! While dialogue is generally intelligible, it veers towards distortion in various spots. The film's electronic score, as bad as it is, is only made worse, by mediocre fidelity.

SHOUT FACTORY has provided extras, which, as with "GALAXY OF TERROR," are so much better than the main feature, actually make it a worthwhile purchase! "THE MAKING OF FORBIDDEN WORLD," even with 1080p and running more than 30 minutes, offers nothing of real interest. However, various interviews with Corman and Makeup FX artist, John Carl Beuchler, are terrific! A still gallery, trailers for other films and, of couse, a 2nd disc, with a dvd offering a full-frame "alternate" version of the film, titled, "MUTANT," make this easy to recommend for any film lover's collection.