Empire of the Dark Blu Ray Review (VCI)

Empire of the Dark (aKa Evil Night) is a 1991 science fiction action film written, edited, produced, and directed by Steve Barkett (The Aftermath). It was produced by Fred Olen Ray (Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, The Alien Dead, Biohazard, Armed Response, The Phantom Empire, Teenage Exorcist, Scream Queen Hot Tub Party, Jack-O, Evil Toons, and Haunting Fear). Twenty years ago, police officer Richard Flynn (played by: Steve Barkett from Dark Universe, Dinosaur Island, and Bikini Drive-in) stepped through a swirling vortex into another dimension to try to save the people he cared about before being sacrificed in a satanic ritual. The woman Angela (played by: Terry Hendrickson from Gunshy, Deadly Ransom, and Havana) was presumed dead and the infant is now a young man Terry Nash (played by: Christopher Barkett from The Aftermath) being pursued again by the same sinister figures from that evil night. These “immortals” Arkham (played by: Richard Harrison from Ninja Terminator, Vengeance, Highway to Hell, Terminal Force, and Evil Spawn) and Brian (played by: Dan Speaker from Wizards of the Demon Sword) must finish the sacrifice they began 20 years ago, a ritual that will release upon the earth a legion of ancient demons. They fight together to destroy all of the the cult before it can unleash an ancient unstoppable evil that will destroy the entire world!!!! Empire of the Dark is very very very ambitious for it’s extremely low budget but I still appreciate that Steve Barkett still pushed all his creative buttons despite barely having any money into this one. He wore so many different hats for this independent production, he kept busy with all of those departments. He put it all out there for Empire of the Dark. Honestly, he’s one of those directors that should stay behind the camera rather than making himself the lead in everything. He’s not horrible or anything but I think this would have been much better with a different actor. The supporting cast has a few familiar faces which includes Richard Harrison, Joe Pilato (Day of the Dead), Dawn Wildsmith (Surf Nazis Must Die), Jay Richardson (Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers), and Terry Hendrickson. Empire of the Dark definitely falls into the it’s so bad it’s good territory because it’s so ridiculous and over the top at times. The special and visual fx are awful but it adds to it’s campy charm. The plot just gets crazier and crazier especially it’s wild finale. Empire of the Dark always keeps itself so much fun and it’s never dull during it’s chaotic entertainment. It’s currently streaming on Tubi, you can thank me later. Just make sure you get a couple drinks in and turn off your brain!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from VCI!!!! This 1080p (1.85:1) transfer is from a brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative. This is a massive improvement over any previous version and it’s the best this low budget science fiction action feature will ever look anywhere. It has a few different audio options which includes English: LPCM 2.0 and English: LPCM 5.0 tracks on the disc. Empire of the Dark actually sounds so much better than expected especially during the action scenarios. All of the dialogue is very clean, the weirdness is elevated, and the music has a nice boost to it. It has English subtitles. It has an “Audio Commentary” with director Steve Barkett and actor Christopher Barkett. They chat about the origins and beginning of the ambitious project. They go over the independent production. They have a blast revisiting this and they share some interesting information during it. It has the 48 minute “Chattanooga Film Festival Interview”. It’s a zoom chat with both director Steve Barkett and actor Christopher Barkett hosted by Dustin Kramer. They repeat some of the same stuff as the commentary. It’s an entertaining conversation and there’s some cool stories here. It has the 8 minute short film “Black Tea” directed by Laura McQuay, the daughter of the original director. It has the 22 minute short film “Night Caller” directed by Dan Gilbert. It features Steve Barkett in it. It has the 79 minute “Splat from the Past Retro Podcast Interview”. It’s a very detailed and lengthy interview with Steve Barkett. You will know every possible thing about this feature after this, the commentary, and the Chattanooga Film Festival convo. It has “Trailers” for The Aftermath and Empire of the Dark. It has the 11 minute “Steve Barkett Interview with Buster Crabbe’. This one is a little different from all of the others. This 3 disc set comes with reversible artwork and 2 additional DVDs with the original Blu Ray. VCI loaded this home video release with plenty of extras. Empire of the Dark got the royal treatment here and this is it’s definitive release. It’s available everywhere right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!