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"Dark Angel 'aka I Come In Peace' (1990/Blu-ray/Scream Factory)" Review

Review: Back in the 80's and early 90's Dolph Lungren was all over the place doing one film after another it seemed and surprisingly this is the film of his work during that time period that I had yet to see until now. Dark angel also has another alternative title which was "I Come In Peace" which is just taking one of the main villains lines and making it the film title which is kinda lame. Now I first watched the trailer to see what I was in for and about half way through I stopped it and had to just watch the film. I got something I didn't quite expect and that was a really entertaining film!



Now if you have not seen Dark Angel before please don't go into it expecting everything to be completely original and mind blowing, instead go into it with a clear mind that's ready to be entertained. The plot of this film follows detective Jack Caine who is one of those cops who doesn't always follow things by the rules and after his partner gets killed he is determined to take down who ever killed him but things go crazy after a string of odd murders start happening and Jack is paired up with an FBI agent to solve who and what is doing these killings.

As you would possibly suspect Dark Angel does use the classic "straight laced & rogue cop" premise and mixes it up with a sci-fi horror plot to make a great mix-up. Now what makes the story unique and not too cliche is that the evil alien in this film is actually an intergalactic drug dealer who came to earth to get the endorphins from humans to take back to where he came from and sell them, but he does have a cop from his planet out to hunt him down as well. Yes that does seem so over the top but trust me it makes this otherwise run of the mill film into something a bit more special and fun. You do still get all the elements of a film like this from that era, pleanty of explosions, violence, gore, and T&A.
 The violence and gore can be at times pretty graphic but it's not overly graphic. The methods that the evil alien does to get the endorphins is a little graphic but they don't even show him stab a victim in the head from a front shot until about the 3rd or 4th person, most the other violence is gun shots or neck slices from a flying disc the alien uses. I wouldn't say that this film completely relies on fast action because you do get a little character development that will have you hoping Jack comes out on top. There is a little bit of a love interest that does get touched on but it doesn't take forefront much at all but is there to add a little to the story.

When it comes to the video quality of this Scream Factory release it simply looks awesome! The detail is fantastic and the film is very well cleaned up. The audio is very clear and quite robust. Now the only thing this release lacks is just that it only has one special feature that is interviews with director Craig Baxley and actors Dolph Lundgren & Brian Benben. Now that is not to say that it's not a good featurette because actually it's quite awesome to hear what went on while making the film from the view of those involved. In the end this is a damn good release and is worth the upgrade!

Overall this was a really entertaining film and it's definitely one of Dolph Lundgren's best films and should be seen by alot more than what it probably has! Go pick this one up if your into Action Sci-fi flicks!

-Daniel "Damnation" Lee

Director: Craig R. Baxley
Lead Actor/Actress: Dolph Lundgren
Genre: Action/Sci-fi
Blu-ray Release Year: 2013
Theatrical Release Year: 1990
Time Length:  91 mins.
Rating: R
Region Code: A
Release Company: Scream Factory/Shout Factory
Website:  www.shoutfactory.com

ADDITIONAL SCREENSHOTS: