A disturbing and thought provoking sci-fi film, “IMPOSTOR,” has been released on dvd as a special edition.  It’s actually a surprise to find it was ever released, as it had been in the can for some time before finally being released.  Sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick has had several of his short-stories adapted into films, “BLADE RUNNER,” and “TOTAL RECALL,” being the most well-known. “IMPOSTOR” was made on a much smaller budget than those two, but its sense of a futuristic world wherein paranoia is rightly pervasive, is extremely successful, although not what one could call enjoyable.

Gary Sinise stars as a scientist working with others in a high-tech research center trying to find a definitive way to end to the aliens bent on the destruction of the human race.  Their aggressive and innovative attacks have led most of mankind to live within giant domed cities, fearful of what lies outside the city’s walls.  Worse, as revealed in one particularly gruesome but effective scene, these aliens have been able to implant compact nuclear bombs within the bodies of unwitting accomplices.  The only way to definitively detect and short-circuit the devise involves drilling and mutilating the unsuspecting victim while alive.  Vincent D’Onofrio is the ruthless Major determined to root out the alien menace at any cost.  His tactics are hard and seemingly cruel, but ultimately, like Nicholson’s character in “A FEW GOOD MEN,” we’d want someone like this on our side!

After an irritating opening featuring Sinise singing in his futuristic shower, things take off at a break-neck pace.  A horrifying interrogation scene, mentioned above takes place, and then the Major makes it clear he suspects the scientist may very well be an “impostor,” an alien in human form, brainwashed to even remember its origin, after first having a bomb implanted within it, thus making the perfect weapon.

Director Gary Fleder has demonstrated an excellent visual style with his earlier films, “KISS THE GIRLS” and “THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHILE YOU’RE DEAD.”  “IMPOSTOR” isn’t as consistently impressive as those films were, but it’s still worthwhile.  Originally, Fleder had shot “IMPOSTOR” as a short(35 minute) film to be included as part of a trilogy sci-fi feature.  However, producers liked it enough to increase the budget and rewrite the film as a full-length feature film to stand on its own. 

BUENA VISTA has included the original short film, and it’s worth watching.  It allows viewers to compare the two, but also to realize the benefits and flaws of expanding it.  Both feature the same shocking ending, but the full-length feature showcases a bigger production design.  On the downside, much of the film feels like pure filler. There are extended scenes which offer nothing to advance the film.

BUENA VISTA has preserved the film’s 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement.  While there’s great resolution in almost every scene, there is also an abundance of annoying halos in many scenes. Colors are typically vibrant. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and grays. 

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is extremely aggressive, offering a variety of surround effects. There is also a surprising amount of .1 LFE effects for the subwoofer.  Dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion. 

The “ORIGINAL IMPOSTOR SHORT FILM” is offered with the correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio, but without 16:9 enhancement.  The image is adequate, but noticeably inferior to the full-length film.  The image is often dull and suffers from grain in many spots.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is lacking in definition as well. 

“THE IMPOSTOR FILES” is a short featurette offering behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. 

Finally, the theatrical trailer is included, along with trailers for several other films.