4k Movie, Streaming, Blu-Ray Disc, and Home Theater Product Reviews & News | High Def Digest
Film & TV All News Blu-Ray Reviews Release Dates News Pre-orders 4K Ultra HD Reviews Release Dates News Pre-orders Gear Reviews News Home Theater 101 Best Gear Film & TV
Ultra HD : Highly Recommended
Ranking:
Sale Price: $29.67 Last Price: $39.98 Buy now! 3rd Party 19.99 In Stock
Release Date: February 22nd, 2022 Movie Release Year: 1980

Alligator - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Overview -

Alligator is a fantastic 1980's film that takes its cues from JAWS, but instead of a shark, it's a giant man-eating alligator in the sewers. The film has a quick pace, wastes no time in getting to the carnage and action, and has some amazing performances from some A-list actors. Scream Factory has given the film a brand new, glorious 4K transfer that looks exceptional and a mono DTS-HD audio track. It's also loaded with over two hours of bonus content that are some of the best extras on a disc. Highly Recommended. 

 

IT LIVES 50 FEET BENEATH THE CITY. IT'S 36 FEET LONG. IT WEIGHS 2,000 POUNDS ... AND IT'S ABOUT TO BREAK OUT!

From director Lewis Teague (Cujo) and screenwriter John Sayles (The Howling) comes an unstoppable thriller with bite. A family returning from Florida decides their pet baby alligator is too much to handle and flushes him down the toilet. Meanwhile, Slade Laboratories is conducting secret experiments with animals and disposing of them in the sewer. The alligator, fending for itself, begins to feed on the dead animals, and grows. Now, twelve years later, after several mysterious murders, David Madison (Robert Forster, Jackie Brown) is on the case to find out who ... or what ... is killing people.

Bonus Features

DISC ONE (4K UHD – Theatrical Version):

  • NEW 4K Scan From The Original Camera Negative
  • Audio Commentary With Director Lewis Teague And Actor Robert Forster

DISC TWO (BLU-RAY – Theatrical Version):

  • NEW 4K Scan From The Original Camera Negative
  • NEW Everybody In The Pool – An Interview With Actress Robin Riker
  • NEW Wild In The Streets – An Interview With Director Lewis Teague
  • NEW It Walks Among Us – An Interview With Screenwriter John Sayles
  • NEW Luck Of The Gator – An Interview With Special Makeup Effects Artist Robert Short
  • NEW Gator Guts, The Great River, And Bob – An Interview With Production Assistant, Now Famous Actor/Director/Producer, Bryan Cranston
  • Audio Commentary With Director Lewis Teague And Actor Robert Forster
  • Alligator Author – An Interview With Screenwriter John Sayles
  • Additional Scenes From The TV Version
  • Teaser Trailer (NEW 2K Scan)
  • Theatrical Trailer (NEW 2K Scan)
  • Trailers From Hell – Filmmaker Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body) On ALLIGATOR
  • TV Spots (NEW 2K Scan)
  • ALLIGATOR Game Television Commercial
  • NEW Newspaper Ad Still Gallery By Drive-In Asylum
  • Still Gallery (Movie Stills, Movie Posters, Lobby Cards, And Behind-The-Scenes Photos)

DISC THREE (BLU-RAY – Television Version)

  • The Extended TV Version In HD For The First Time (NEW 4K Scan From The Original Camera Negative With Additional Footage Scanned From An Internegative)

OVERALL:
Highly Recommended
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray + Blu-ray
Video Resolution/Codec:
2160p HEVC/H.265
Length:
91
Aspect Ratio(s):
1.85:1
Audio Formats:
English: DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles/Captions:
English SDH
Release Date:
February 22nd, 2022

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

After Steven Spielberg changed the cinema landscape with his underwater horror film JAWS, every other Hollywood studio wanted to cash in on the big animal vs human element. Many tried and many failed to see success, but in 1980, director Lewis Teague and writer John Sayles made their own rip-off called Alligator. Instead of a shark, it was a giant reptile wreaking havoc not only in the water but also on land and in the sewers. The result of its great pacing and brilliant performances left this small film at the top of everyone's list who were looking for something similar to Spielberg's blockbuster shark movie.

From Alligator, Teague became popular in Hollywood, going on to make such iconic films as Cujo, The Jewel of the Nile, The Cat's Eye, and even Navy SEALs. It was the same thing with Sayles who went on to write The Howling, a version of E.T., and Apollo 13. Both filmmakers started with Alligator as their big break, which is saying something, given the premise and its B-movie aesthetic. But it didn't matter if Alligator was schlock or an Oscar contender, the filmmaking that mixed well with the script and amazing visual effects had audiences clamoring for more gator gore.

What works so perfectly with Alligator is how the film never wastes any time from cutting to the action and meat of the story. There was no room for filler or dilly-dallying in the script, which ultimately kept this screenplay and pace on its toes. Plus there are just enough kooky characters to keep audiences guessing from start to finish, along with a small satire on government interference with nature. But when a movie is led by the late, great Robert Forster (Jackie Brown), there's a sense of quality and charisma that comes in tow. In fact, Tarantino based Forster's character in Jackie Brown off his character in Alligator.

Alligator's story is simple enough at its core where a family is on vacation and buys a small pet alligator for their kids at a tourist shop. Once back at their home, the father flushes the alligator down the toilet so he doesn't have to take care of it. Twelve years later, there's strangeness brewing in the sewers as that small pet alligator has been feeding off of discarded rodents from the local science lab that have been injected with all sorts of weird meds and formulas, that has caused the critter to grow into a monster reptile the size of a few cars. It's not long before the alligator begins to feed on humans, which sets the town in panic mode.

But what sets Alligator apart from the rest of these spin-offs besides its amazing pacing is how Sayles and Teague utilized their characters, specifically with Forster's police officer Madison. This character is a straight shooter, much like how Max Cherry is in Jackie Brown, but Officer Madison is not liked by his fellow officers as he's known as a curse since his past partners all end up dead. When the alligator starts chomping up sewer workers, maintenance people, and then police, the blame is initially targeted at Madison. This brilliant element allows Madison to not be a one-note hero, but to show struggle within his own family of officers while tracking down a giant monster in the streets, and it works perfectly.

The film also satirizes the media's take on such an event, revealing what local news would do in a situation of rumored giant reptile sightings. Needless to say, the media hasn't come a long way since 1980 in this regard. With The Godfather actor Michael V. Gazzo, Sue Lyon, and a young Kane Hodder playing the Alligator, this film was always destined for success. Not to mention, Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston serves as a production assistant and creature effects helper on the film as well. This movie was ripe with young talent and kept its quick pace and wonderful creature effects at an all-time high. Still to this day, Alligator is a fun watch and never crosses into dull territory, which is a big part of its appeal.

Alligator has the perfect equation of talent in front and behind the camera and end result is a tight flick made up of a stunning cast of character actors who all give amazing performances. The winks and nods to JAWS are done modestly and well while standing on its own four scaly legs. And the practical gore and alligator effects look exquisite every time they are front and center on the screen. Alligator is still haunting and a ton of fun some forty-two years later.

 

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Alligator chomps its way to 4K via Scream Factory in a new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Collector’s Edition from Scream Factory. There are three discs, one being the 4K, another being the Blu-ray, and the other being the 1080p Television cut of the film. The discs are housed in a hard, black plastic case with a cardboard sleeve with new artwork featuring an angry alligator. There is reverse artwork of the original poster of the film. Unfortunately, there is no booklet, insert, or digital code. 

 

Video Review

Ranking:

More often than not, the good folks at Scream Factory deliver an older, forgotten movie in a brand new 4K presentation that makes said film look brand new and breathes new life into a movie that might have been lost on shelves forever. This rings true with Alligator, which has been given a new 2160p UHD 4K transfer with Dolby Vision (and HDR10) and looks phenomenal.

The colors all look more natural than on its previous release and have all been boosted with its Dolby Vision. Outdoor locations reveal some great greens in trees and primary colors in clothes and on vehicles. Inside the police station and inside homes, that color palette becomes warmer with more browns, oranges, and wooden-like colors. The color of the alligator ranges with darker, cooler colors that give off a wonderful reflection in the different light settings. The amazing massacre scene at the wedding reveals some great white tuxedos that look great with flashy blood-red stains as well. Darker sequences have inky blacks that never bleed or show murkiness. These nighttime scenes look so much better with this Dolby Vision-enabled image in that the creature and the trash surrounding the sewers can now be seen easily.

This also gives way to some fantastic-looking detail. Closeups reveal facial pores, individual hairs, wrinkles, and makeup effects on the actor's faces. Textures and threads in the clothing also look great here as well. the scales and textures on the alligator's skin look amazingly good. Every different scale and color can now be witnessed in all lighting conditions. Wider shots of the city and of the alligator look sharp as well. Skin tones are all-natural and there are zero issues with any dirt, debris, or any banding and noise. The film still retains its natural filmic quality with a steady layer of grain as well. This is a grande transfer at its finest.

Audio Review

Ranking:

This release only comes with a DTS-HD in Mono. Unfortunately, there is not a new 5.1 track. That being said, this mono track sounds wonderful and full. Sound effects are mostly robust but lack that true low end of bass with bigger effects or the score. There is still some decent directionality with levels, but this is rather a straightforward audio mix. The treble does well in the bigger action moments and with the alligator's roars.

Ambient noises of people screaming or cars passing by also sound good and mix well with the dialogue. The score keeps things lively and the dialogue might sound a tiny bit bland without the low end to really lift things up. This is still a great audio track.

Special Features

Ranking:

In addition to the great audio commentary, there are over 140 minutes of bonus material included here, most of which are new interviews with the cast and crew. The Bryan Cranston extra is simply magnificent.

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray DIsc One

  • Audio Commentary - Director Lewis Teague and Actor Robert Forster deliver a fantastic commentary track. This was recorded before Forster passed away and has the two friends and colleague talk about making the film and remember some of the stories and aftermath of the movie, including people getting their own pet alligators after the film. This was a joy to listen to.

Blu-ray Disc Two

  • Audio Commentary - with Director Lewis Teague and Actor Robert Forster
  • Gator Guts, The Great River, and Bob With Bryan Cranston (HD, 23 Mins.) - One of the BEST bonus features ever is here with Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston talking about working on the movie. He discusses in great detail how he was tired of being an extra and decided to get a job on this movie doing anything he could. He also talks about working with Forster which eventually lead to many years later, reteaming for Breaking Bad. This featurette alone is worth the price of admission.
  • Everybody In The Pool (HD, 8 Mins.) - Actress Robin Riker talks about making the film, working, and kissing Forster and her character's similarities to the JAWS movie. This is an excellent interview.
  • Wild In The Streets (HD, 25 Mins.) - Director Lewis Teague discusses working on the movie, his previous work with Corman, the visual effects, and some great stories from the set.
  • Luck Of The Gator (HD, 13 Mins) - Visuall Effects artist Robert Short talks about most of the big visual effects of the movie, how they were done, all the guts that went into it, and more.
  • It Walks Among Us (HD, 10 Mins.) - Writer John Sayles talks about the inspirations and other stories he heard that helped him create this movie. He talks about the actors and how long it took him to write the script. This is a fantastic featurette and pretty funny as well.
  • Alligator Author (HD, 18 Mins.) - This is an older interview with Sayles who talks about the film some more from a previous release.
  • TV Cut Addition Scenes (HD, 8 Mins.) - The TV cut is included here, but also the deleted scenes can be viewed here.
  • Trailers (HD, 6 Mins.) - A collection of trailers from the film.
  • Alligator Game Promo (SD, 1 Min.) - A promo for the movie game.
  • Trailers From Hell (HD, 2 Mins.) - Director Karyn Kusama briefly discusses her love of Alligator.
  • Still Gallery (HD, 26 Mins.) - A collection of photos, promos, ads, and articles that can be viewed in a slideshow.
  • News Pring Ad Gallery

Blu-ray Disc Three

  • Alligator Television Cut (HD 1:38:05)

Alligator was thought to be lost and forgotten long ago, but the magic makers at Scream Factory have given new life to the film with a brand new, luxurious 4K transfer with Dolby Vision that looks amazing. The Mono DTS-HD audio track sounds wonderful as well. Additionally, there is a treasure trove of bonus features, all of which are a must-watch. The film itself still stands up tall and makes a welcome return to home video after being so long out of print on an inferior DVD release. Highly Recommended.