Synopsis:

The Dark Lurking is a Alien / Predator hybrid from Australia that far too often retreads familiar ground. And even though I went into this film with low expectations. I still came away feeling underwhelmed and disappointed that the film didn’t exploit its strongest asset, it’s premise. The idea of scientists looking for the first angel (Lucifer). Could have been the shot in the arm that made this something more than a clone of the aforementioned films.

The cinematography often obscures what is going, the acting is not that much better, the dialog is your standard B movie drivel and to top things off the film’s pacing might actually be its biggest weakness. Another were this film is a mixed bag are its special effects and kill scenes. When all is said and done, The Dark Lurking is a missed opportunity that gets crushed by the weight of its ambitions.

The DVD:

Cinema Epoch presents The Dark Lurking in an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the film’s original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Colors and flesh tones farewell. Black levels are average at best and there are several instances where things tend to look murky. Given this productions limited resources and the fact that the majority of the film takes place in dimly lit places. This is most likely due to the source and not the transfer.

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in English. The audio fares better as everything clear and consistent throughout. With the special effects sounding robust when they need to too. Also this audio mix does a satisfying job with the more ambient aspects of the soundtrack. Overall The Dark Lurking gets a well rounded DVD release from Cinema Epoch.

Extras for this release include a stills gallery, a trailer for the film, a twenty five minute featurette and a short film that was directed by Gregory Connors titled ‘Netherworld’ (15 minutes 29 seconds – letterboxed widescreen). In between onset footage the ‘making of’ featurette features comments from those involved with this production. The short film ‘Netherworld’ revolves around a boxer, who finds himself in a power struggle with Satan. Also included with this release is a promo image gallery of titles that are available on DVD from Cinema Epoch. Overall The Dark Lurking gets a well rounded DVD release from Cinema Epoch.