It’s not an easy task to craft a film based on the works of HP Lovecraft. Cosmic beings aside, The Color Out Of Space is literally that, a color that’s infecting, changing, and all together destroying everything it touches.
Thankfully, this film has the enigmatic Richard Stanley at the helm and as such turns out to be a gorgeously entertaining film that’s just as bizarre and batty as its source material.
Color Out Of Space
Directed by: Richard Stanley
Written by: Scarlett Amaris and Richard Stanley based on the short story by H.P. Lovecraft
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur, Elliot Knight, Brendan Meyer, Julian Hilliard, Josh C. Waller, and Tommy Chong
From the box:
After a meteorite lands in the front yard of their farm, Nathan Gardner (Nicolas Cage) and his family find themselves battling a mutant extraterrestrial organism as it infects their minds and bodies, transforming their quiet rural life into a living nightmare. Based on the classic H.P. Lovecraft short story, Color Out of Space is “gorgeous, vibrant and terrifying” (Jonathan Barkan, Dread Central).
- The Making of Color Out Of Space (HD, 20 Mins.) – Some cast and crew interviews on the set of the film, along with some behind the scenes footage can be seen here. Discussion cover adapting the story, shooting on location, the alien life form, working with Stanley, and more.
- Deleted Scenes (HD, 13 Mins.) – There are about five deleted scenes in total, none of which are integral to the overall story.
- Photo Gallery – A short series of images of the farm.
Nicolas Cage is at a very interesting point in his career. He’s done it all. Every genre you can think of and he’s done it. Lately, though he’s diving into maybe a second life as a horror icon. His recent cult hit Mandy kicking off what looks to be a series of beloved horror films like Mom and Dad and now Color Out Of Space.
In Color, Cage plays something we don’t see him do often, a boring dad. He’s just a regular guy with a wife and kids. Nothing crazy, nothing odd, nothing for him to sink his teeth into. Not in the way we’ve grown accustomed to anyway. That is until a meteor crashes into his back yard and all bright colorful hell breaks loose.
Once the meteor hits, Stanley unleashes a gorgeous swath of color that is absolutely stunning to see on screen. It’s the complete antithesis to the horrors to come. It really shines in 4K and is just beautiful shades of purple. Unfortunately, that color brings an absolute nightmare for the family, and the alpacas that Cage’s character cherishes.
The film is bizarre in the best ways. Super clever and a really great adaptation of an author’s work that is notoriously difficult to adapt. Watching this film in Ultra-HD is the way to go to fully appreciate the gorgeous shots and colors that Richard Stanley brings to the screen. He’s a gem of a director that I wish churned out more films. He’s really delivered a unique and fun flick with Color Out of Space.
The cast is great and really throws themselves into the film. Gorgeous visual effects and excellent practical work just elevate this film even further. There is some really gruesome stuff I don’t even want to go into so I don’t spoil it for anyone. Just think that there are some definite comparisons to The Thing.
Features wise, the disc is light. Just a few deleted scenes, an interesting Making Of doc, and some photos. The true star here is the film itself. It’s a batty bizarre blast that really makes me eager to see what’s next from Richard Stanley.
Color Out Of Space is in some theaters now and hits 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD February 25.
Garon Cockrell is the Founder and Editor of Pop Culture Beast and host of The Pop Culture Beast Show. He founded the site over seven years ago to have a place on the internet to write about the things he loved. Since then, Garon has become a best-selling author (Demonic and Other Tales), an award winning screenwriter (Best Screenplay 2013 Motor City Nightmares Film Festival), and a cast member on the top rated podcast, Never Not Funny.