Review: This week’s releases are up against insurmountable odds

Event Horizon [25^th anniversary edition] steelbook (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)

Seven years ago, pioneering research spacecraft “Event Horizon” mysteriously vanished without a trace on its maiden voyage. But then, in the darkness of deep space, a persistent signal prompts a crew to make their way through the galaxy on a bold rescue mission. What they uncover is an unimaginable interstellar horror that will test the entire team’s sanity and souls.

This is an unconventional sci-fi movie as it’s both trippy and horrifying, often simultaneously. The premise is fairly straightforward — a ship on a mission in the far reaches of space disappeared with highly-sensitive equipment on-board. Now, they need to figure out what happened and try to salvage whatever remains. However, the crew’s final video diaries are incredibly jarring, rightfully spooking the rescue team, which includes Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne. The discussions in the bonus features shed a lot of light on the filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson’s intentions, the amount of work that went into the special effects and what content actually didn’t make it into the film. Nonetheless, even 25 years on, this remains a very disturbing and striking picture.

Special features include: commentary by director Paul W.S. Anderson and producer Jeremy Bolt; deleted and extended scenes; making-of featurette; “The Point of No Return”; “The Unseen Event Horizon”; and trailers. (Paramount Home Entertainment)

Firestarter (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)

Protected by her parents (Zac Efron and Sydney Lemmon), Charlie (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) has lived her childhood on the run and has kept her extraordinary pyrokinetic powers in check. But now that she’s turning 11, the flames are harder to control and sinister forces are seeking to capture her. Charlie must learn to embrace the fire from within and fight to control it in order to protect her family and freedom.

This is a remake of the 1984 film starring a very young Drew Barrymore, which was an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name. Like many of Blumhouse’s reimaginings of older properties, this movie ramps up the horror elements of the narrative, creating scary superhumans on both sides of the fight — which also plays to director Keith Thomas’ strengths. From bleeding eyes to self-inflicted wounds to balls of fire, there’s no shortage of chilling acts performed strictly by characters’ minds. The narrative also seems to borrow from modern tales of mutants, hunted and persecuted by governments and other black op agencies so they can be destroyed, studied and/or weaponized.

Special features include: commentary with director Keith Thomas; alternate ending; deleted and extended scenes; “A Kinetic Energy”; “Spark a Fire”; “Igniting Firestarter”; and “Power Struggle.” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

Flying Guillotine Part II (Blu-ray)

To fight against the evil emperor’s reign of terror, outlaw rebel Ma Teng joins a group of female freedom fighters. However, she soon finds herself embroiled not just in a battle with enemy forces, but also with the group leader’s torn family loyalties.

This is the sequel to Master of the Flying Guillotine, another Shaw Brothers weapons extravaganza. To avoid replicating the original picture, this film takes it up a notch by introducing a newly designed flying guillotine that more effectively removes their opponents’ heads. Consequently, the weapon’s initial demonstration is quite shocking. The battle scenes are typically captivating from the studio, involving many fighters, uneven numbers and heavy weaponry, and this movie is no different — though the secret weapon does not come into play as often as one might expect. The story is more interesting than some others as loyalties play a major role in this narrative.

Special features include: commentary with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema Frank Djeng and actor/martial artist Michael Worth; and trailer. (88 Films)

The Old Man: The Movie (Blu-ray)

In a remote Estonian village, three children from the city are forced to spend the summer on their grandfather’s farm. When the trio accidentally set loose the old man’s prized but thoroughly abused cow, they learn that they have only 24 hours to milk the rogue bovine before its exponentially expanding udders explode and unleash a milk-pocalypse. To complicate this crisis, a decrepit and disgraced farmer with a body literally infused with milk and a prejudice for cattle is also determined to catch the animal, but with murderous intent.

This is one of the most bizarre road movies, though it’s perfectly depicted in Claymation. The grandfather is horrible to everyone, but especially his cow. It’s difficult to blame his grandsons for trying to give it some relief, particularly when they were completely unaware of the explosive consequences. Yet, the udders that are a ticking time-bomb are probably one of the least strange aspects of the film. In competition, there’s also the eccentric (and dying) concert goers; the man comprised of milk; the inappropriate tree; the musical reverie inside a bear; and the very disturbing milk machine. It’s nearly impossible to guess what will happen next, but that’s part of what makes this picture so bizarrely entertaining.

Special features include: four shorts; and trailers. (Unearthed Films)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (4K Ultra HD & Digital copy)

After settling in Green Hills, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles (Idris Elba), in search of an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

If there’s one thing Carrey knows how to do, it’s have fun — particularly in a manner that’s contagious. His larger-than-life depiction of Robotnik is appropriately cartoonish and generally the most appealing element of the franchise. The introduction of other power-imbued animals on both sides of the fight allow for more creative battles that showcase Sonic’s speed, Knuckles’ strength and Tails’ flying. This picture also incorporates some new throwbacks to the videogames, including a race through the catacombs, raining coins and Robitnik’s Egg Mobile. While the CG characters are engaging in a life-or-death struggle, the human actors have the sense not to take things too seriously (except for the heartstring moments between Sonic and his adoptive family), which gives the film the lighter tone it requires.

Special features include: deleted scenes; “Robotnik Reimagined with Jim Carrey”; “The Powerful Puncher, Knuckles”; and bloopers. (Paramount Home Entertainment)