Robot Jox (1990) - Blu-ray Review

Details: By Loron Hays; 08 July 2015

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Robot Jox - Blu-ray Review

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Arming itself with a new interpretation for the popular saying “crash and burn”, Robot Jox continues to garner new fans with each passing year. This post-apocalyptic science fiction film featuring gigantic battling robots for territorial claim is the crème de la crème when it comes to influence upon today’s science fiction. When you consider the fact that, upon its limited run release in 1990, crickets could be heard in response to its Cold War themes, one could and should marvel that anyone cares about this movie receiving a blu-ray release that restores the violence and nudity that was once trimmed in favor of a PG rating.

Well, for its growing fanbase, the day of redemption has finally come for this cult film!

With the exclamation-marked promise on the cover that reads “Two Men! Two Machines! Too Wild!”, Scream Factory tackles the blu-ray release of Robot Jox with finesse and style; everything the film deserves. This is Saturday matinee charm material that is worthy of a joyous round of applause, no matter how cynical you may be. Written by Joe Haldeman and directed by Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator and Fortress, another unappreciated gem), Robot Jox juggles appealing to adults and kids alike while celebrating the Takara Tomy's Diaclone and Microman toylines that are at the heart of its creation.

Starring Gary Graham as Achilles, the robot jock pilot for the western-influenced Market faction, and Paul Koslo as Alexander, the robot jock pilot for the Confederation fighter, Robot Jox takes place decades after a nuclear war has leveled nations. Two warring factions remain and hold giant-sized gladiator battles, complete with spectators, for territorial gains. When Alexander, acting in defiance of the referees of these global matches, goes too far and threatens countless lives, Achilles and the genetically engineered new recruit Athena (Anne-Marie Johnson) must rise to the occasion and take the giant robot battle into the far reaches of space.

In spite of its weaker moments and standard caricature acting from Michael Alldredge as Tex “the-only-jock-to-win-all-ten-of-his-contract-fights” Conway (with a character name like that one can hardly blame him for chewing scenery), Robot Jox is serious-minded science fiction with a kid-friendly heart. Go on and give it a hug. Everything works. Nothing insults. It’s yet more positive proof that the film critics at the time of its release, who relentlessly joked about the movie, had no idea what the hell they were talking about.

While dated, the practical effects – most against real outdoor skies and physical locations (which would become problematic for the shoot in Rome) – are a serious win for a film like this. This isn’t filler, though. The practical effects gel nicely against a premise that suggests mankind is struggling to find a clear path in the uber-wired, technological circuitry of the future. This point is hammered home when the final battle occurs outside of the big-ass robots and is reduced to one man verses another.

Robot Jox is a film that lives outside of time itself.\

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[tab title="Film Details"]

MPAA Rating: unrated
Runtime: 85 mins
Director: Stuart Gordon
Writer: Joe Haldeman
Cast: Gary Graham, Anne-Marie Johnson, Paul Koslo
Genre:Action | Sci-fi
Tagline: The ultimate killing machine. Part Man. Part Metal.
Memorable Movie Quote: "And you make my drink taste like blood."
Distributor: Trans World Entertainment
Official Site:
Release Date: November 21, 1990
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: July 7, 2015
Synopsis: It is post-World War III. War is outlawed. In its place, are matches between large Robots called Robot Jox. These matches take place between two large superpowers over disputed territories. The main character Achilles is a pilot in one of the large Robots. The plot revolves around him and a match for the state of Alaska.

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Robot Jox - Blu-ray Review

Blu-ray Details:

Available on Blu-ray - July 7, 2015
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc; Single disc (1 BD)
Region Encoding: A

Courtesy of Scream Factory, an imprint of Shout! Factory, the AVC encoded 1080p transfer (presented in 1.85:1) of Robot Jox means the film has a new sheen and probably will never look this fresh again. With an expert level of grain throughout, the bright transfer has minimal traces of damage in the print. The strong contrast means some of the special effects are more noticeable but there’s not much that can be done there. Black levels are fairly consistent and colors, with red and blues dominating, are strong throughout. The sound field – presented here in a crisp lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix – is perfectly suited for the robotic beatdowns.

Supplements:

Commentary:

There are two excellent newly-recorded commentaries. One with the director and one with some of the members of the effects crew who worked on the effects of the picture, namely the stop-motion and mechanical scenes. These are both worth checking out for fans!

Special Features:

SContinuing with its technical slant, the special features on Robo Jox features both new and archival interviews with Stuart Gordon and others involved with the special effects. There is also a new interview with Paul Koslo, who discusses his feelings on the movie and its cast. Unfortunately, there is no new word from Graham and his co-star Johnson. About 11-minutes of on location and artwork still galleries rounds out the collection.