The Warner Archive September 12, 2017 Blu-ray release of the 1987 sci-fi cop-buddy thriller "The Hidden" awesomely shows Millennials that presenting a quality story about evil aliens does not require an astronomical FX budget.
The following YouTube clip of the theatrical trailer for "Hidden" demonstrates an especially strong eye for highlighting most of the '80stastic best scenes in the film.
The opening credits cleverly showing grainy black-and-white bank surveillance camera footage of a robbery immediately establishes that "A Nightmare on Elm Street 2" director Jack Sholder knows his stuff; this scene leading to a destructive high-speed chase is the first of many indications that "Hidden" makes a good double feature with the (Unreal TV reviewed) Archive BD release of the '70s cop-buddy dramedy "Freebie and the Bean." Subsequent chase and other cliches of that genre throughout "Hidden" validate that pairing.
The bank robber absorbing a great deal of physical trauma before being subdued is the first hint that he is not from around here; another early scene confirms that suspicion.
Meanwhile back at the precinct, police detective Tom Beck (Michael Nouri of "Flashdance") coincidentally is a center of attention leading up to being assigned to assist Seattle-based FBI agent Lloyd Gallagher with investigating the robber. The numerous similarities between Gallagher and Dale Cooper of "Twin Peaks" make that "Hidden" role great training for Kyle MacLachlan to subsequently play Cooper. One difference is that Gallagher lacks an obsession with coffee.
The powers-that-be planning the security for a speech by a U.S. senator who is preparing to run for president bellows foreshadowing; suffice it to say, the audience is not disappointed.
The asserted hook that brings the feds on the case is that the robber is a previously law-abiding citizen who recently suddenly goes on a crime spree that includes stealing expensive cars and showing no regard for human life.
Our detectives then engage in room temperature pursuit as the big bad remains one step (and meat suit) ahead of them. Scenes of mayhem at a Ferrari dealership during this portion of the film provide wonderful doses of both senseless violence and of the "me generation" aspect of the '80s. Additionally, recent real-life car buyers will realize that their dealer having free snacks is less generous than previously believed.
Another highlight is an "exotic dancer" who shows the boys that they better respect her; the best scene in the film has Gallagher demonstrate a serious limitation regarding the tech. required to stop the carnage; we further learn that you sometimes must fight fire with fire.
MacLachlan does a good job providing an increasingly strong sense that he is hiding several secrets; this (of course) leads to his being taken off the case until escalating mayhem requires going rogue and putting him back in action.
As indicated above, the climax of the film centers around the speech of the senator; our boys (of course) get their man. Additionally, Gallagher puts his special hidden talents to good use.
The always special Archive bonus features include audio commentary by Sholder and writer Tim Hunter; Sholder also separately narrates a compilation of special-effects production footage.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Hidden" is encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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