Cherry 2000 review

This oddball 1980s genre mash-up enjoys a tasty debut on UK Blu-ray

Set in a bureaucratic future where even sexual encounters require contracts to be drawn up by lawyers, business executive Sam Treadwell (David Andrews) is one of a growing number of people to opt for an android lover instead. But when his rare Cherry 2000 (Pamela Gidley) short-circuits, a distraught Sam must venture into the lawless post-apocalyptic wilderness of Zone 7 to find a new model. Aiding him on his quest is Johnson (Melanie Griffith), one of the few trackers capable of guiding Sam to the location of the old android factory and keeping him safe from the deadly gangs that live in the area.

As you can probably tell from the above synopsis, director Steve De Jarnatt's low-budget film is an odd mix of genres that refuses to take itself seriously. Kicking off like a piece of sci-fi social commentary, Cherry 2000 then undergoes a transformation into a more action-orientated western, only with a feminist twist that sees Griffith cast as the gun-toting cowboy and Andrews as the 'damsel' in distress. Ultimately, Cherry 2000 is an enjoyably unusual slice of 1980s sci-fi-action that is ripe for rediscovery.
Movie rating: 3.5/5

Picture: Cherry 2000's 1.85:1-framed 1080p encode, while not the most striking HD presentation you'll ever see, maintains a film-like appearance. The source material is in pretty good shape, with the most notable instances of dirt and debris being baked-in to optical effects. There's a handful of inherently softer shots, but image clarity is pretty strong with plenty of detail visible in close-ups. Colours and black levels appear accurate throughout.
Picture rating: 4/5

Audio: The platter's LPCM 2.0 track does an effective job of handling dialogue and Foley effects and keeping them distinct from one another in the mix. The big winner of the lossless upgrade, however, is Basil Poledouris' wonderful score.
Audio rating: 3.5/5

Extras: This UK release from newcomer Signal One includes all of the extras that appeared on Kino Lorber's US Blu-ray. These include a director's commentary, an interview with actor Tim Thomerson, a vintage promo video, and a gallery of lobby cards, stills and posters.
Extras rating: 2.5/5

We say: A satisfying hi-def showcase for this weird and wacky 1980s sci-fi-action-comedy

Cherry 2000, Signal One, Region B BD, £15 Approx
HCC VERDICT: 3.5/5

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