This Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD release with a bonus Blu-ray disc is currently available from Arow Video.
For genre film enthusiasts, Larry Cohen is a legendary figure. The maverick independent moviemaker made a name for himself as a television writer, before branching out into cinema. He made a huge splash with It’s Alive (1974), following the title up with a couple of sequels, as well as made-in-NYC efforts like God Told Me To (1978), Q – The Winged Serpent (1980) and Special Effects (1984). Later, he wrote and produced the popular Maniac Cop series. Many of his features have a unique perspective and an edge that you just don’t see in Hollywood efforts.
The Stuff (1985) was a memorable entry in the moviemaker’s catalog that also made a significant impression. It was previously available as a Blu-ray release from Arrow Video, but is now arriving on 4K Ultra HD with legacy extras and a few new elements, including a major new addition on the accompanying Blu-ray. If you like the film, you’ll need to find yourself a copy of this edition.
This feature is a satirical horror film that pokes fun at consumer culture and the food industry. The story begins with the titular product, The Stuff, being discovered and becoming an overnight sensation at grocery stores. Apparently, it’s a kind of ice cream/yogurt that no one can get enough of. But no one knows exactly what it’s made of. Ex-FBI agent and corporate spy David “Mo” Rutherford (Michael Moriarty) is hired by the presidents of competing brands to find out the secret recipe for the product.
In the meantime, young Jason (Scott Bloom) sees the substance moving around on its own in the family refrigerator. When he tries to warn his parents and brother, they turn on him and begin showing signs of being under the influence of The Stuff. As Rutherford continues his investigation, he teams with a junk food mogul Charles Hobbs (Garrett Morris) and the advertising executive Nicole (Andrea Marcovicci) promoting The Stuff. They all soon realize that the food product is of alien origin, addictive, and once ingested, uses consumers as hosts while it reproduces. In fact, after it’s done, it leaves the husk of its victim behind and moves on to others.
The concept allows for a great deal of humor and horror, and much of it works very well. Bits with Jason being tormented by his own family (who counter that while The Stuff may be alive, so is the bacteria in yogurt) are amusing and tense. Moriarty is always fun to watch as the corporate spy as he tries to get a handle on what he’s dealing with. His interactions with Morris when they discover the real nature of The Stuff are hilarious to watch. The promos used in the film, as well as the obsessive nature of consumers, effectively lampoons the industry. And the action, in which the creamy substance pours out of victims and chases down people in a manner similar to The Blob, are creatively captured and a lot of fun to watch (particularly when pouring out of the orifices of the individual being controlled).
This movie has a lot going for it and it is very understandable as to how it became a cult hit. The cast is exceptional, the story unique, and the writing quirky and clever. On occasion, the film is even chilling (pardon the pun) and disturbing. It’s a great little B-movie.
The new “Limited Edition” from Arrow Video is also extraordinary. The film first arrived on Blu-ray in 2016 with some impressive new features. This time out, the original 35mm camera negative is presented in 4K with an uptick in image quality. Admittedly, this is a low-budget picture and there is always going to be a bit of natural grain here and there, but nothing distracting. The sharpness has been improved, and many sequences featuring elaborate visual effects benefit greatly from the new presentation. This is a nice upgrade from the 2016 release that will impress all viewers.
The extras include a film expert commentary track and an archival commentary from Cohen himself. Naturally, the older recording with Cohen is extremely informative as he goes through the specific details of putting the film together and the challenges of making a movie on a limited budget. He notes some of the excellent cast members and their appearances, like Eric Bogosian, Paul Sorvino, Danny Aiello, and many more who took part in the production. The historian commentary also gives plenty of interesting facts and trivia about the movie.
A great, nearly-hour long documentary from the previous edition is also included. This bonus features interviews with Cohen, as well as cast and crew, who share their experiences on-set as well as the legacy of the movie. You’ll hear some amazing stories from the participants. There is also a “newly edited” feature containing extra interview footage with Cohen and producer Paul Kurta which add a few enlightening details.
There is also a phenomenal feature-length documentary called 42nd Street Memories that goes over titles that were shot in the same area of Manhattan during the 1970s and 1980s. Cohen participates as an interviewee for this title, as well as other filmmakers working in the industry at the time. It’s pretty much impossible to watch this picture and not end up with a long list of other titles to catch up on or revisit.
Furthermore, there are a ton of trailers and other promo materials on this set that are incredibly entertaining to watch,
And then, we get the bonus Blu-ray. This disc contains the never-before-seen early cut of the film. It’s a full 30-minutes longer and features an entirely different score. Some believe that this may be a superior version of the movie. First off, the picture quality on the disc is surprisingly strong. The source is a 35mm print that was in the possession of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. You’d never guess this was just a pre-release print based on the way it looks here. While it isn’t as remarkable as the 4K disc, everything looks consistently impressive and the overall appearance of this “lost” version of the picture is much better than anticipated.
So, what’s different about this version? There is an extended TV ad for the product The Stuff that is very elaborate. It’s impressive enough that the whole thing really should have been included in the final cut. Additionally, there are plenty of scene extensions, including a longer conversation about secret formulas like that of Coca-Cola. There is a lengthy date scene between Rutherford and Nicole as the two get closer while also trying to get a read on each other’s knowledge of the product.
I was also very amused by an extended scene in a car when Rutherford helps Jason escape from his parents. In the final cut, there is a funny gag about the kid having had to eat shaving cream to fool his family into thinking he was consuming the product. In order to cheer him up, Rutherford adds a very long joke involving a bear and a rabbit. It is a completely unnecessary bit that involves the lead character simply telling an extended joke in order to get someone to smile, but it is fun to watch. Some of the action towards the close is also extended.
I had a great time viewing the longer cut. I’m not sure that it’s superior, but it is a lot of fun. Truth be told, there’s probably a version somewhere in the middle that would be my ideal cut of the film. No matter what one’s reaction might be to this particular cut, it is incredible to see and any horror enthusiast will be amazed by all the additional footage. This is a real find.
And as with other Arrow Video releases, this “Limited Edition” comes with a booklet with essays, slipcover and reversible sleeve.
If you enjoy 1980s horror with a sharp satirical streak, The Stuff is a winner. The latest edition boasts an even more impressive picture and comes loaded with incredible bonuses. And the accompanying Blu-ray with a rare early version of the film is worth the price alone. Anyone with an appreciation for the genre and the work or Larry Cohen should pick this release up as soon as possible.