Why So Blu?

Seedpeople (Blu-ray Review)

WHAT’S GOING ON IN COMET VALLEY? Something’s brewing in this quiet rural community: things are falling from the skies, people are acting strangely and there’s something very nasty waiting in the orchard… It’s up to visiting geologist Tom Baines (Sam Hennings – Drop Zone) to figure out the mystery: if he can’t, then the whole world is in trouble. From executive producer Charles Band (Trancers), Seedpeople is a smart update on Invasion of the Body Snatchers (and other old-skool sci-fi movies), complete with fearsome aliens and rubbery special effects. 88 Films are proud to present this enthralling extraterrestrial extravaganza on Blu-ray in the UK for the very first time!

Film

Seedpeople is one of those early ‘90s sci-fi horror flicks that somehow slipped under my radar until now. It’s a 1992 Full Moon Pictures release, and it’s just gotten a pretty slick Blu-ray release in the UK courtesy of 88 Films. As someone who’s mostly familiar with Full Moon’s Subspecies series, this was a fun detour — and a surprisingly enjoyable one at that.

The film takes place in the quiet little town of Comet Valley. Things start going south after a meteor crash unleashes some alien seeds that begin infecting the locals. Once infected, people turn into weird alien creatures but can still shapeshift back into their original forms. That part actually makes them even creepier—they blend in and work together like a hive to try and spread spores across the rest of the planet. It’s got strong Invasion of the Body Snatchers vibes, and I mean that in the best way possible.

I didn’t really expect much going in, but Seedpeople had a solid story that pulled me in. The acting and the drama are surprisingly strong for a low-budget horror movie. You can tell the cast is really trying to make it work, especially when it comes to the action scenes. That’s probably the one weak spot — some of those moments feel a bit stiff, like the actors are kind of fighting against the limitations of the effects or the choreography. But hey, it’s a B-movie. That’s part of the charm.

It was also cool spotting Andrea Roth in an early leading role, long before she ended up starring in Rescue Me with Denis Leary. She’s genuinely good here, and it’s wild to think how early this was in her career.

The creature effects are a real highlight too — practical, weird, and kind of gross in a fun way. There’s one alien that just kind of rolls around like a spiked beach ball with legs, and it rules. The designs are goofy but memorable, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for in a flick like this.

Video

NOTE: Stills are provided for promotional use only and are not from the Blu-ray

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Region: B (you will need a region-free Blu-ray player for proper playback)

HDR: N/A

Layers: BD-50

Clarity and Detail: The transfer looks surprisingly clean for a low-budget film from 1992. Fine detail like facial textures, clothing fibers, and set decor come through better than expected. It’s not razor-sharp, but it’s leaps and bounds better than any old DVD or VHS copy.

Depth: There’s some decent depth in wider shots, especially during scenes in the forest or town square. Nothing overly dynamic, but it gives the image a natural sense of space.

Black Levels: Black levels are stable, though not super inky. In darker scenes, you still get a bit of murkiness, but shadow detail holds up well enough that you don’t lose what’s happening.

Color: Colors pop in a way they never did before. The greenish hue of the spores and the brown/orange tints of the town’s dusty palette feel warm and a bit exaggerated, but it works for the tone of the film.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones stay mostly natural, though occasionally veer warm in interior lighting. Nothing distracting — just a little vintage warmth.

Noise and Artifacts: There’s a light layer of grain that keeps the image filmic. No major compression issues or digital noise. A few soft shots here and there, but that’s more a result of the original cinematography than the transfer.

Audio

Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English LPCM 2.0

Subtitles: English

Dynamics: The 5.1 soundtrack track is serviceable but nothing flashy. Everything is well-balanced without any sudden spikes or dips. It has a flat mix overall, but it gets the job done.

Height: N/A

Low Frequency Extension: There’s not a ton of bass activity here. A few creature growls and music cues dip into the low end, but don’t expect your subwoofer to do much heavy lifting.

Surround Sound: The 5.1 mix is mostly front-loaded. Rears are used sparingly — some environmental effects and ambient cues show up now and then, but it’s a fairly narrow soundstage. The LPCM 2.0 track is a bit tighter and cleaner, with more authentic vintage flavor.

Dialogue: Dialogue is clear and steady throughout. There’s no distortion or hiss, and vocals sit well above the effects and music. A few lines get slightly buried in noisier scenes, but it’s minor.

Extras

Nothing too stacked here, but what’s included is fun. You get an audio commentary by Dave Wain and Matty Budrewicz, who bring the right mix of info and fan energy. The original Videozone segment is a nostalgic bonus straight from the VHS era, and the trailer rounds it out. Light, but fitting for a cult Full Moon title like this.

• Audio Commentary By Dave Wain And Matty Budrewicz
• Original Videozone
• Trailer

Summary

All in all, Seedpeople is a fun, campy creature feature with a solid story and just enough weirdness to keep things interesting. The Blu-ray has above average video and average audio. The extras are quite slim but it is what it is. If you’re into ‘90s sci-fi horror or digging through Full Moon’s catalog, this one’s worth your time.

 

Seedpeople is released in the UK on Blu-ray May 12, 2025!

PRE-ORDER NOW!

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