ARCADE (1993)

3 stars

88 Films. Blu Ray. Out Now

ARCADE, from the Charlie Band stable, is a low budget teen sci fi that probably looked dated when it came out – so over 30 years later it is likely to only appeal to fans of the early use of CGI.

Alex (a cute Megan Ward) is the usual troubled teen, probably because her mum committed suicide. She meets up with her buddies (including a young Seth Green as Stilts) at a local video arcade, to see a new virtual reality game called Arcade. Showing off this new tech is Difford (John de Lancie, possibly best known as Q from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION). Alongside the large booth like installation, they are also giving away the home version for the youngsters to take home and test out.

Of course, all is not as it seems, and when Alex’s boyfriend Greg (Bryan Dattilo) tries out the game, he disappears. She is convinced he has been somehow swallowed up by the software and is now trapped inside it. When others in her circle of friends are also sucked in, her nerdy friend Nick (Peter Billingsley) is convinced Alex will have to enter the environs of the game to rescue them.

Taken from a story by Charles Band, this was an early outing for David S. Goyer, who went on to pen such blockbusters as 2008’s THE DARK KNIGHT and 2013’s MAN OF STEEL among many others. The CGI isn’t what you would call state of the art – and apparently much of it had to be redone, after the film was initially completed, as Disney got wind of the fact that is was similar to their much more expensive TRON and threatened to sue. The movie looks okay on the Blu Ray in the 4×3 ratio, if not exactly outstanding, due to the source that had to be used.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

Three audio commentaries: with Director Charles Band & Actress Megan Ward; with Associate Producer Daniel Schweiger; by Film Journalists Dave Wain and Matty Budrewicz

Interviews with: Actor John de Lancie; Actor Jonathan Fuller; Associate Producer Daniel Schweiger; Cinematographer George Mooradian; with Composer Alan Howarth

Original Videozone

Remastered Original Trailer and Proof of Concept Trailer with Commentary by Daniel Schweiger

Plus rigid slipcase with new artwork by Joel Robinson and double sided poster