The Wraith (R2)

Hellbilly · 06-01-2003, 09:30 AM

Re-titled "Interceptor" in Europe, this little supernatural (or science fiction?) action vehicle had a huge cult following - especially in Germany - although the original PG-13 rated version was cut to hell there.

Story: Jake (Charlie Sheen) is the new guy in a small Arizona town, arriving on a motorbike and flirting with Keri (Sherilyn Fenn) who works at a Burger Joint (Kay's Big Burgers!) and happens to be the girlfriend of Packard (Nick Cassavetes), a jealous and psychotic speed freak who is the leader of a gang of deranged street pirates.
They get a kick out of forced car races, keeping other people's cars after they lost the race.
When a mysterious black sports car pops up and starts killing off his gang one by one not only Packard but also the local Sheriff Loomis (Randy Quaid) suspect that this might has something to do with a little hidden dark secret from their past ...

Bring On The Swiss!

The year is 1986 and we are literally DROWNING in cheese here.
Director Mike Marvin - the guy who also unleashed Hamburger ... The Motion Picture the same year - continues his fetish with the ground beef and shows us many greasy close ups of burgers frying.
You will also get to see big haired girls with no rhythm dancing on roller skates wearing weird outfits smiling while serving fries & shakes listening to the latest tunes of Robert Palmer blasting from the soundtrack! Ah, good times!
Besides all the cheese and Sherilyn Fenn's very limited acting skills (she redeems herself and shows us some boobies though) The Wraith is still a good show: many great car races/action/explosions plus you get to see Clint Howard sporting a "Eraserhead" hairdo and Nick Cassavetes repeatedly showing off his cool switchblade knife.

How's the DVD? Bitchin'!
Marketing released this on DVD last year and the 16:9 enhanced transfer is very good. Clean and sharp image and quite colorful, the 2.0 Stereo English soundtrack is a bit "muffled" but still ok.
Extras include the English & German theatrical trailer, bio's & Artwork galleries.
They also show a comparison between the old cut version and the new, first time ever in Germany, unrated (PG-13) version we all are familiar with. The cuts they did back then were ridiculous though. Don't get me wrong, The Wraith is quite frank and violent for a PG-13 movie but removing such harmless scenes as the close up of the first victims "eyeless" head and a few drops of blood running down Casavettes hands is stupid to begin with.

If your region free - this disc is recommended!

Gnaghi · 06-01-2003, 10:07 AM

one day i hope to own this disc.

Zodiac-Mindwarp · 06-01-2003, 05:29 PM

Great review HB!

I really liked this movie, and I have only seen the pan and scan version on tape years ago.

I will have to keep this one in mind when I finally have enough money saved up for a overseas order.

bigdaddyhorse · 06-02-2003, 12:58 AM

The Platinum disc (R1) also has the un-cut version despite the pg-13 on the artwork, but it's pan and scan without any extras.

06-02-2003, 02:06 AM

..........

Hellbilly · 06-19-2003, 10:15 PM

After watching this again today I must admit I kinda fell in love with the soundtrack

Cheezy but catchy tunes, there.
Apparently it was released on CD, but only in Germany. I might have to track this down though.

Katatonia · 07-13-2007, 06:02 AM

I recently purchased the R4 DVD (Force Video) from EzyDVD. It was on sale at the time, and only $7.67 shipped which was a superb deal!

The anamorphic widescreen transfer looks amazing on this disc. It looks as if it was perhaps a transfer from the original film negative.

ArrowBeach · 07-13-2007, 08:05 AM

CD was also released in Japan

ekent · 07-13-2007, 01:53 PM

Could they have used the MonstersHD transfer for this?

Katatonia · 07-13-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekent

Could they have used the MonstersHD transfer for this?

The Aussie DVD? It was released back in 2001.

Criswell · 08-07-2007, 01:19 PM

Pretty cool 80's film than naturally made no real sense at all.

06-01-2003, 09:30 AM	#1
Hellbilly 3x2=6 Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 12,932	The Wraith (R2) Re-titled "Interceptor" in Europe, this little supernatural (or science fiction?) action vehicle had a huge cult following - especially in Germany - although the original PG-13 rated version was cut to hell there. Story: Jake (Charlie Sheen) is the new guy in a small Arizona town, arriving on a motorbike and flirting with Keri (Sherilyn Fenn) who works at a Burger Joint (Kay's Big Burgers!) and happens to be the girlfriend of Packard (Nick Cassavetes), a jealous and psychotic speed freak who is the leader of a gang of deranged street pirates. They get a kick out of forced car races, keeping other people's cars after they lost the race. When a mysterious black sports car pops up and starts killing off his gang one by one not only Packard but also the local Sheriff Loomis (Randy Quaid) suspect that this might has something to do with a little hidden dark secret from their past ... Bring On The Swiss! The year is 1986 and we are literally DROWNING in cheese here. Director Mike Marvin - the guy who also unleashed Hamburger ... The Motion Picture the same year - continues his fetish with the ground beef and shows us many greasy close ups of burgers frying. You will also get to see big haired girls with no rhythm dancing on roller skates wearing weird outfits smiling while serving fries & shakes listening to the latest tunes of Robert Palmer blasting from the soundtrack! Ah, good times! Besides all the cheese and Sherilyn Fenn's very limited acting skills (she redeems herself and shows us some boobies though) The Wraith is still a good show: many great car races/action/explosions plus you get to see Clint Howard sporting a "Eraserhead" hairdo and Nick Cassavetes repeatedly showing off his cool switchblade knife. How's the DVD? Bitchin'! Marketing released this on DVD last year and the 16:9 enhanced transfer is very good. Clean and sharp image and quite colorful, the 2.0 Stereo English soundtrack is a bit "muffled" but still ok. Extras include the English & German theatrical trailer, bio's & Artwork galleries. They also show a comparison between the old cut version and the new, first time ever in Germany, unrated (PG-13) version we all are familiar with. The cuts they did back then were ridiculous though. Don't get me wrong, The Wraith is quite frank and violent for a PG-13 movie but removing such harmless scenes as the close up of the first victims "eyeless" head and a few drops of blood running down Casavettes hands is stupid to begin with. If your region free - this disc is recommended! __________________ The Mold "Do you know that maladi means sickness, illness in French? It's almost like the word melody, isn't it?" Last edited by Hellbilly; 07-13-2007 at 07:07 PM.

06-02-2003, 12:58 AM	#4
bigdaddyhorse Pterodactillion Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Up in the sky Posts: 10,145	The Platinum disc (R1) also has the un-cut version despite the pg-13 on the artwork, but it's pan and scan without any extras. __________________ "!" My Fucking DVDS

06-02-2003, 02:06 AM	#5
Accion Mutante Guest Posts: n/a	.......... Last edited by Accion Mutante; 12-28-2003 at 10:07 PM.

06-19-2003, 10:15 PM	#6
Hellbilly 3x2=6 Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 12,932	After watching this again today I must admit I kinda fell in love with the soundtrack Cheezy but catchy tunes, there. Apparently it was released on CD, but only in Germany. I might have to track this down though. __________________ The Mold "Do you know that maladi means sickness, illness in French? It's almost like the word melody, isn't it?"

07-13-2007, 06:02 AM	#7
Katatonia Hellbound Heart Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Heart of the Wolf Posts: 12,260	I recently purchased the R4 DVD (Force Video) from EzyDVD. It was on sale at the time, and only $7.67 shipped which was a superb deal! The anamorphic widescreen transfer looks amazing on this disc. It looks as if it was perhaps a transfer from the original film negative. __________________ "**The weakness of hope is the strength of decline." - Katatonia "I Break" DVD Profiler Collection Invelos Profile My Space Devil Doll**

06-01-2003, 10:07 AM	#2
Gnaghi wolfgang Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: florida Posts: 879	one day i hope to own this disc.

06-01-2003, 05:29 PM	#3
Zodiac-Mindwarp Caroline Munro Worshipper Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,939	Great review HB! I really liked this movie, and I have only seen the pan and scan version on tape years ago. I will have to keep this one in mind when I finally have enough money saved up for a overseas order.

07-13-2007, 08:05 AM	#8
ArrowBeach HackMaster Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 1,234	CD was also released in Japan

08-07-2007, 01:19 PM	#11
Criswell HackMaster Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Outside your Bedroom Window. Posts: 1,118	Pretty cool 80's film than naturally made no real sense at all. __________________ Torture...Torture...It pleasures me...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode