DVD released: July 11th, 2006
Approximate running time: 94 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: R
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Media Blasters / Shriek Show
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.95

Synopsis: Alex and Ray are ambushed as they attempt to cross the Mexico/U.S. border with 5 keys of cocaine. Instead of giving up they get caught up in a shoot out where in the end they are the only ones left alive while four cops are now dead. Now outlaws the two of them are determined more then ever to complete the drug deal they had set up and escape back across the border with the money they are getting.Early on the films dark tone is set when Alex and Ray kill four border cops. The killers are not your standard and the last one is excessive in its brutality. This scene also gives sets in stone the difference between the two leads. Ray is a cold blooded killer who bullies those weaker then him to get what he wants and those who resist him end up dead. Alex is laid back and killing is not something he can easily stomach. The body count in this film rises as they trek across the land to meet their connection. All but one of the killings is by Ray and he finds new and fascinating ways to dispose of his prey. All the murders are bloody and graphic with a few point blank gunshots to the face.

About half way through the film. They pick a hostage named Karen and she quickly drives a wedge between Alex and Ray. Alex clearly starts to care for this woman while her feelings for him are not reeling confirmed as she just wants to escape from this situation. The longer the Alex and Ray stay on the road the further they grow apart as paranoia starts gets the better of both of them. The story is compelling despite the films low budget. Walter R. Cichy’s direction is pretty good especially during the shoot outs and car chase scene through the desert. This films old west like shoot out finale is reminiscent of Sam Peckinpaw. Overall Cop Killers is an exploitative film that relies heavily of shocking the viewer and in this regard is succeeds.

The DVD:

Cops Killers is presented in an anamorphic widescreen that retains the film’s original aspect ratio. The film was shot originally on super 16mm and later blown up to 35mm. There is noticeable grain which gets kind of heavy at times through out the film. The colors and flesh tones looks accurate. There is also print damage in the form of nicks and scratches that is present though out the entire film. Overall the transfer is while not flawless is certainly watch able and most of its flaws are due to the films low budget origins.

This release comes with one audio option an English Dolby Digital mono audio mix that lacks range as the dialog sounds a tad thin. The music and effects fare slightly better. There are some instances of hiss and distortion of this audio mix.

Extras for this release include a brief photo gallery, the films original trailer and trailers for The Being, Grizzly, Shadow: Dead Riot and Syndicate Sadists all these titles are also available from Media Blasters. Also included with this release is a section titled Fangoria International which includes trailers for Chocking Hazard, Plaga Zombie Zona Muntante, Hiruko the Goblin and Blood Red. This section also includes an outtake from the audio commentary session. The main extras for this release are a sixteen minute interview and an audio commentary with Jason Williams and the audio commentary is moderated by Adam Trash. He covers a wide variety of topics like how he got into the business, the film Flesh Gordon, how it got him the role in Cop Killers and how the films producers financed this and other projects by making porno features. Overall Media Blasters has given Cop Killers a solid DVD release that is sure to please fans of this obscure oddity, recommended.