Another trait I really enjoy when it comes to the Full Moon Universe is that they’re not afraid to build a franchise. They’re also not afraid to milk their IPs for every last drop. If, for some reason, it doesn’t work out, they drop it and try again. Obviously, the Puppet Master franchise has been the most successful for them, and the Trancers series and Demonic Toys continue to grow as well.
Some films that were planned as a series never went beyond a single film, much like Doctor Mordrid (1992) or Dollman (1991). Sorry, I don’t really count Dollman vs. Demonic Toys (1993), which was a letdown. Mandroid (1993) spawned one sequel/spin-off in the form of Invisible: The Chronicles of Benjamin Knight that same year. Recently, Full Moon Features released the HD version of Mandroid to Blu-ray, and it’s fine.
Deep within a hidden Russian laboratory, Dr. Karl Zimmer (Robert Symonds) creates the Mandroid, a hulking humanoid machine controlled by a man in a specialized suit. Intended as a technological breakthrough, the invention becomes a battleground when Zimmer’s partner Drago (Curt Lowens), seeks to weaponize it for military profit. As loyalties fracture and Cold War tensions flare, the Mandroid is unleashed; an unstoppable force of steel and fury built to crush anything in its path.
The idea for Mandroid dates way back to the mid-’80s and was once considered as part of the Empire Pictures slate. It was shelved for nearly a decade before being re-tooled to its current form and included in the early Full Moon Features library. Directed by Jack Ersgard, Mandroid moves along at an entertaining enough pace, but when you compare it to other classics, it pales in comparison.
Related: ‘The Ugly’ (1997) Blu-Ray Review: A Forgotten Horror Film Gets New Life
The acting is fine, and the effects work for what they are, but while most of those early ’90s horror and sci-fi films from the company were highly memorable, this one isn’t. The most standout thing for me was the cover art. You have mad scientists and a big robot, so you will enjoy yourself, but when it’s over, it’s over. I also can’t forget to mention there’s a character named Ivan Drago in it. The sequel/spin-off, Invisible, plays out in a similar fashion: fun, yet forgettable.
The re-mastered Blu-ray looks vibrant and clear. There’s a limited amount of bonus features with the original VideoZone and a collection of trailers included. For me, Mandroid is enjoyable enough, but it’s missing the magic that made me fall in love with Full Moon.
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