Blue Ice (Vinegar Syndrome) Review

Distributor: Vinegar Syndrome Edition Details: Standard Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Movie Specs: Genres: Classic, Feature Film, Action Run Time: 86 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1985 Director: Phillip Marshak (as Phil Marshak) Written by: Mark Weiss (written by), Joe Repasso (additional scenes and dialog) Cast: Herschel Savage, Jacqueline Lorians, Paul Thomas, Shanna McCullough, Ron Jeremy, Richard Bulik (as Long Chainey), Reggie Nalder (as Detlas Van Burg), Jamie Gillis, William Margold (as Bill Margold), Helga Sven (as Helga), Danielle (as Danielle Martin), Francois Papillon (as Francois), Adrienne Bellaire (as Adriane Bellare), Iarkin McCallister Release Specs: Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono (Blu-ray), English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono (DVD) Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic) Video Format: NTSC Format: Blu-ray/DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1 Blu-ray, 1 DVD

Director Phillip Marshak has created an interesting film with Blue Ice. In some aspects he succeeds on a level not often seen in adult productions; in other aspects he falls short of where he could have. The story for the film is sometimes a mess. This is an issue that his earlier film Dracula Sucks also has issues with that had a different writer. However, Blue Ice and Dracula Sucks share the fact there are additional scenes and dialog credits indicating that the films were altered, probably on the fly.

The plot for Blue Ice is, Ted Singer (Herschel Savage) is hired by the Big Man (Jamie Gillis) for $100,000 to find the Bolgen Gelda, an ancient book of prophecies that if you can open it, you can rule the world. Singer soon finds that a group of Nazi scientists, who have been hiding out in South America since the end of WWII lead by General Anton Stuttgart (Reggie Nalder) are also after the book and are willing to kill to obtain it.

There are holes in the plot, and some portions of it that don't entirely make sense. This is too bad because it is obvious that Marshak put a lot of work into creating Blue Ice. Marshak has created a fun and visually appealing film with Blue Ice. While portions of the story may be lacking and the story may not always make complete sense, Marshak makes up for it with the production values present in Blue Ice.

Blue Ice is beautifully shot and Marshak makes great use of color throughout Blue Ice. The film has great make up effects that are used throughout the film. Richard Bulik is unrecognizable as Mr. Wilkins. Post fight wounds are very well done too. The sets and set design for the film are also outstanding.

The cast does a great job with their roles, both with the sexual and non-sexual performances in the film. Savage does a great job carrying the film as the lead Singer. Savage shows that he can act in a lead role here. Jacqueline Lorians is equally as good as the female lead Messina. The rest of the cast is in supporting roles and come and go as necessary. The sex scenes are well done and for the most part fit in well with the plot.

Vinegar Syndrome has done a very nice job with this release. They have released Blue Ice as a Blu-ray and DVD combo pack, a packaging format I favor since it gives purchasers the ability to play on high definition and low definition systems. Both the Blu-ray and the DVD have the film presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1, with the Blu-ray in 1080p (the DVD is obviously in 480p). The picture on the Blu-ray is stunning. As can be expected, there is grain, print damage, and artifacts. The colors look absolutely amazing. There is a slight haloing for a brief period at one point in the film. The DVD appears to have been mastered off of the same print as the Blu-ray.

On the Blu-ray, Blue Ice is presented with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 monaural track. The audio track has a few pops. The dialog is clear and easy to hear at all times. There are a few places where the audio doesn't sound natural, the sound comes across as too high pitched and tinny. The DVD has an English Dolby Digital 1.0 monaural track, which is clear and easy to hear at all times. There are a few pops but it sounds good. Despite the packaging stating otherwise, neither the Blu-ray or the DVD contain English SDH (subtitles for the deaf or hard-of-hearing).

Vinegar Syndrome has included one extra on this release and both the Blu-ray and the DVD contain the same extra. There is a feature length commentary featuring Joe Rubin, Herschel Savage, and William Margold. Margold remembers far more about Blue Ice than Savage does but the track is very fun nonetheless.

Blue Ice is an incredibly fun adult film from the mid-80s. The film has a definite 80s vibe to it and while the story doesn't always make sense, the film never fails to entertain as the story unfolds. The cast does a great job with this one and the sex is enjoyable. Vinegar Syndrome has done a great job with this Blu-ray/DVD combo package.

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