Read Positive User Reviews for Color Out of Space

7

AlphaRebelJun 22, 2020

I find Richard Stanley fascinating, unfortunately his execution tends to be much rougher then his vision (although this is a far cry from the likes of hardware) but this emetatly watchable about the the invasion of a farm of... something. andI find Richard Stanley fascinating, unfortunately his execution tends to be much rougher then his vision (although this is a far cry from the likes of hardware) but this emetatly watchable about the the invasion of a farm of... something. and how it impacts their lives and psyche. Try and avoid the spoilers and enjoy a rare treat of a well executed batsh*t crazy movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

marcmyworksFeb 16, 2020

This adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's science fiction novel is interesting, it not only works in a modern era, but it also allows Nicolas Cage to be as damn Nicolas Cagey as he wants. Overall a pretty good film, with some clunky dialogue.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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9

bartcbemFeb 8, 2020

Finally, after many years of waiting we got a perfect movie based directly on H.P. Lovecraft. Great atmosphere, very decent performance from Nick Cage and rest of the crew, clearly made by folks who love and understand great master work.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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7

marshallonfilm_Mar 18, 2020

“We're a family, and if there's one thing families do, it's stick together. Now feed your mother!”

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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7

fiftywordreviewJan 30, 2020

Not for the faint of heart, Color Out of Space is a true Lovecraftian horror placing Nicolas Cage at his bizarre best. Do not, under any circumstance, watch this movie on drugs. Or maybe, ONLY watch this movie on drugs. Either way, make sureNot for the faint of heart, Color Out of Space is a true Lovecraftian horror placing Nicolas Cage at his bizarre best. Do not, under any circumstance, watch this movie on drugs. Or maybe, ONLY watch this movie on drugs. Either way, make sure you experience the insanity for yourself.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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10

Sparky_horrorMar 7, 2020

This movie gives it all with a weird, crazy, and horrific vibe. Definitely a must watch for Nick Cage and the rest of the cast.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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7

LotheravantiJan 24, 2020

This movie exceeded my expectations. It absolutely captured the feel of a Lovecraft story. Having read the story a while back, I was surprised at how well the portrayal of the "color" matched my imagination. I can't recommend it enough forThis movie exceeded my expectations. It absolutely captured the feel of a Lovecraft story. Having read the story a while back, I was surprised at how well the portrayal of the "color" matched my imagination. I can't recommend it enough for fans of good horror movies.… Expand

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7

Bertaut1Jan 24, 2020

A solid adaptation, albeit with a bit too much alpaca-based comedy

Written and directed by Richard Stanley (his first film in 25 years), Colour Out of Space is a modernised adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's 1927 short story, and takes a goodA solid adaptation, albeit with a bit too much alpaca-based comedy

Written and directed by Richard Stanley (his first film in 25 years), Colour Out of Space is a modernised adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's 1927 short story, and takes a good stab at depicting one of Lovecraft's most oblique entities. Mixing humour and body horror (perhaps weighed a little too much towards humour), the film gives Nicolas Cage another opportunity to go full-Cage after he recently cut loose in Mom and Dad (2017) and Mandy (2018). And boy does he lean into it – this is the most ludicrous, histrionic, and borderline farcical performance since Vampire's Kiss (1989).

Just outside the city of Arkham, MA (the fictitious setting of many Lovecraftian stories), Nathan Gardner (Cage), his wife Theresa (Joely Richardson), and their children Benny (Brendan Meyer), Lavinia (Madeleine Arthur), and Jack (Julian Hilliard) have moved into Nathan's deceased father's property, with Nathan embracing rural life by raising alpacas. On an otherwise normal night, the sky fills with pulsating light and a meteorite crashes onto the Gardners' land, and as time passes, amidst a series of ever-more bizarre events, the family members soon begin to show signs of unnatural change.

Where Stanley is perhaps most successful in adapting the original is in terms of how he depicts the entity itself, or rather, how he doesn't. In the original story, the entity is described only by analogy, and even then, only in relation to colour. With this in mind, Stanley wisely keeps everything as vague as possible – vibrant, modulating pulses of light that seem to be emanating from somewhere just outside the frame, vaguely-defined spatial distortions, colour manipulations with no obvious source.

Important here is the actual colour itself. Instead of attempting to create an indescribable colour (in the story the colour is beyond the visible spectrum), director of photography Steve Annis avoids depicting any one stable colour – every time we see the effects of the meteorite, the hue is in a state of flux, so although we can say the colours are recognisable, they are never identifiable as a specific colour, which was a smart choice on his part.

As we get into the third act, the film abandons all sense of restraint as the body horror which has threatened to break through from the earliest moments is finally unleashed, foregrounding the exceptional work of special effects supervisor/creature designer Dan Martin. These scenes are heavily indebted to Chris Walas's work on David Cronenberg's The Fly (1986) and Rob Bottin's work on John Carpenter's The Thing (1982), including a direct visual quote of one of its most famous dog-related moments. Some of the more grotesque human-related effects also reminded me a little of Screaming Mad George's work on Society (1989).

It's also in the last act where Cage is turned loose, and that's not entirely a good thing. Full-Cage has been seen in films such as Vampire's Kiss, Face/Off, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans, Mom and Dad, and Mandy, but each performance has felt fairly organic, never becoming self-conscious. In Colour, however, Cage crosses into self-parody, with his performance having as much to do with people's preconceived notions of a Nicolas Cage performance as it does with finding the character; oftentimes, it feels less like he's trying to convey the character's emotions, and more like he's winking at the audience.

Which might be entertaining and all, but which doesn't serve the film especially well. For all its insanity, this is a relatively serious movie, but Cage's performance is so manic, that it affects everything around it. For example, after a meltdown about his alpacas ("don't you know how expensive those alpacas were"), which just about fits in what we know of the character, as Nathan is walking away, he stops, turns, pauses, shouts "ALPACAS", pauses again, and then walks away. Undoubtedly funny. But does self-reflexive humour by the leading man help tell the story or even create the right tone? No, not in the slightest.

The other characters all have a kind of internal logic to their crumbling sanity; the meteorite affects each of them differently, with their minds disintegrating in different, but consistent ways. With Cage, however, Stanley seems unwilling, or unable, to establish the parameters by which Nathan's mind is disintegrating, seemingly going for laughs rather than something more cogent.

This issue notwithstanding, I enjoyed Colour Out of Space a great deal. Stanley's return to the director's chair is to be admired for its restraint and how faithful it remains to the very tricky Lovecraftian original. The body-horror in the film's will appeal to fans of the grotesque, whilst others will take pleasure from Cage's insanity, as narratively unjustified as it is. The film is ridiculous on many levels, but it's extremely well realised and well made.… Expand

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10

GrazstarrFeb 10, 2020

A phenomenal feat of film making. Richard Stanley has taken Lovecraft’s horrifically imaginative story and turned it into a psychedelic nightmare on the screen. A total barrage on the senses, it’s a pleasure to endure as a viewer.

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7

Spike23Jan 30, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. How Much More Can You Live In Denial The Movie.
There are not many triggers nowadays that would make me instantly write stuff, but when you see an alpaca hydra, I believe it's time to just sit the f*ck down, and talk about it.
There are many types of inexplicable horrors. There are slashers where characters run for their lives while someone is chasing them, and always somehow catches up to them just by casually walking. There are zombie apocalypse movies where every major conflict either begins or ends with a random spawn of a zombie horde right behind the main characters. In sci-fi genre, there are often the worst possible plots, which in some terrifying way infected the whole film industry in general - revealing five minutes before the ending that everything that happened had just been in someone's head from the very beginning, which leaves you in a not very ideal state of mind since you've just spent 2 hours living a lie.
Then... There are Lovecraftian brain deforming space clusterf*cks where things just happen, and you have to deal with it however your brain is fit to process it, because nobody will help you understand anything. Definitely not anyone in the film itself, no narrators there, and don't even try asking the person who's watching it with you. You can be sure they have no idea, and if by some miracle they do, it still won't be an idea of any worth to anyone at the moment.
That being said, it's also the source of all the originality, which makes every single bit of Lovecraftian lore a pure sci-fi gold, which is something everyone has to appreciate. Who doesn't appreciate that doesn't appreciate originality, and should just go watch some Fast & Furious XVII after a few rounds of their worthless League of Legend competitive match that they lost, so they rage quit to some PvE in Fortnite, because their lingering frustration won't allow them to play PvP at this self-loathing, absolutely useless moment of their lives.

OK, back to the film itself.

Someone might wonder about the title I gave this review, provided they managed to read the whole thing and didn't get offended by me criticizing their favorite series and games of all time. The reason behind it is the characters' utmost denial of totally everything that doesn't correlate with all the norms of their boring everyday lives. At first, it seriously annoyed me, but in the end, it made me look at it from a different angle, changing that frustration in the process into entertainment.

(Just like being pissed off on a bus that suddenly stopped for 2 hours, but after those two hours you stop being pissed off, and start being entertained by seeing other people in absolute despair constantly checking watches and phones not being able to do anything to get in time where they should've already been for two long hours).

Seeing Nic Cage in a good film is a rare and kinda weird thing in 2020. However, seeing Nic Cage not entirely believing that something is wrong when his wife has just been barbecued by pink energy from space that led to her merging with their son who's head is now growing out of her back making sounds that can't possibly mean anything else then "kill me", and comforting her that everything is going to be okay while she's slowly transforming into some Cthulhu on their sofa... That's where I draw the line and end this.… Expand

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9

ralphpugsleyJun 28, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Rock solid Lovecraftian shocker that manages to update the source material while also maintaining the creep factor famous of the authors work.… Expand

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9

LeoprechaunFeb 28, 2020

Finally a good Lovecraftian movie, im amazed with the adaptation to modern times and the special and pratical effects. Its a must see, if you are a H.P. Lovecraft fan!

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7

PalpetineSheevMay 11, 2020

I pretty good modern adaptation of the classic novella. The visuals are pretty creative and some of the horror is pretty effective. It takes its time, but its never boring. Nic Cage is awesome and most of the other performances are prettyI pretty good modern adaptation of the classic novella. The visuals are pretty creative and some of the horror is pretty effective. It takes its time, but its never boring. Nic Cage is awesome and most of the other performances are pretty good. There are some pretty dumb moments, and some unintentionally funny moments, but overall a really solid film.… Expand

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8

GrachechkovskiMay 7, 2020

Great movie with trully mad atmosphere by Lavcfart's style. Cage is the best for role of crazy character, the story was told with more attention to original book and last scenes was awesome and impressive.
Also, I think that creators of filmGreat movie with trully mad atmosphere by Lavcfart's style. Cage is the best for role of crazy character, the story was told with more attention to original book and last scenes was awesome and impressive.
Also, I think that creators of film have been stingy on computer graphics which could add more effective and scary atmosphere and scenes… Expand

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7

ajzeg01Jul 4, 2020

This movie is an adaptation of the HP Lovecraft cosmic horror story of the same name. It premiered at TIFF last year but had a brief wide release this year. Lovecraft movies are very hit or miss. Aside from the films of Stuart Gordon, likeThis movie is an adaptation of the HP Lovecraft cosmic horror story of the same name. It premiered at TIFF last year but had a brief wide release this year. Lovecraft movies are very hit or miss. Aside from the films of Stuart Gordon, like Re-Animator and From Beyond, no one has really succeeded in making a really good one. His stuff is hard to adapt because a lot of it is short, not easy to adapt into a feature. Also, a lot of the imagery in his stories is intentionally impossible to visualize. That, and his stuff has tons of casual racism in it, even for the time it was written. Color Out of Space is one of the better Lovecraft adaptations out there. It updates the story to a modern setting and it adapts one of his least racist stories, like Stuart Gordon did with Re-Animator. However, unlike Re-Animator, I don’t think this movie will be remembered as a classic. The acting isn’t that great, with the exception of a good old crazy performance from Nicolas Cage. The effects are well-done, it’s bloody and intense and of course it’s very colourful, but overall there just isn’t really much that’s memorable or stand-out about it. It’s a solid horror movie, but that’s about it. I hear the director wants to do other Lovecraft adaptations like The Dunwich Horror and I think that’s great. The movie actually kind of sets up a possible Lovecraft cinematic universe that could be worth exploring and I will gladly watch out for, but I still don’t think this movie is the masterpiece that Lovecraft fans have been waiting for. While I don’t think it’s great and I don’t think people will be watching this movie over and over again like Re-Animator, I think this is still worth checking out for horror and sci-fi fans, especially Lovecraft fans.… Expand

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7

AWESOM-0May 24, 2020

Nice to see Nic Cage do a good movie nowdays. Don't get me wrong, he has had a couple enjoyable movies recently. It's just that he's in so many terrible ones too. Can't say I loved this one but I can say it was enjoyable in an eerie/trippy way.

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8

SergeiZNov 28, 2020

Other adaptations of the original story are worse. There are deviations from the plot, but beautiful shots.

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8

YalishandaMar 14, 2021

its like a sci fi B movie with a budget, and that makes it fun. the visuals are the best part of it

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8

movingpicturesJan 27, 2020

The Curse (1987) meets From Beyond (1986). If you know what that means, you should frantically run to see this movie! If you don't know what that means, you should cautiously walk to see this movie.

The star here is the cinematography,The Curse (1987) meets From Beyond (1986). If you know what that means, you should frantically run to see this movie! If you don't know what that means, you should cautiously walk to see this movie.

The star here is the cinematography, atmosphere, and special effects. Some scenes are simply breathtaking. The plot and the characters were more frustrating. It started out sincere and filled with so much possibility. However, there were frustrating moments where characters said/did unbelievable things. And the end is jumbled but spectacular at the same time. Cage was more uneven than usual here. Some of his choices are so jarring. There are a couple scenes in particular in which he channels his inner Donald Trump.. and while it's funny.. it's also distracting and takes you out of the movie.… Expand

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8

TheQuietGamerJan 24, 2021

This is Annihilation on steroids and reimagined as a wild Nicolas Cage flick. There are so many comparisons one can draw between this and Alex Garland's sophomore outing (as well as the excellent book it's based on) that it honestly feelsThis is Annihilation on steroids and reimagined as a wild Nicolas Cage flick. There are so many comparisons one can draw between this and Alex Garland's sophomore outing (as well as the excellent book it's based on) that it honestly feels like a prequel about the arrival of that story's extraterrestrial visitor and what it was like when it first began creating "Area X."

Both films carry very similar imagery, offering alien transformations of everyday sights. The difference between Lovecraft and VanderMeer is also subtly communicated in these same visuals however, through the actual appearances of the changes themselves. In Annihilation for example, each mutation that can be found in the environment and its inhabitants has the look and therefore the feeling of nature rising up to reclaim its lost world. Here however, every metamorphosis is something your eyes immediately pick up on as being a deadly perversion brought on by an otherworldly entity. Oh, and the color palette is decidedly more neon as well.

Another distinguishing aspect is how the plots approach similar concepts from significantly different perspectives. Rather than following a cast of characters with backgrounds in the various sciences as they witness the strange new surroundings after they have already come into being, Color takes an average family who already weren't the most normal bunch to begin with (we are introduced in the opening to the daughter practicing witchcraft out in the woods) and places them at ground zero where they witness the horrors blossom around them before their very eyes. So instead of watching only the physical forms of each protagonist change or adapt to fit the twisted landscape they willingly venture into, we get to see their minds, bodies, and home warp all at once in a disturbing orgy of the surreal and horrifying that they totally didn't consent to.

Yet, for all of its grotesque and stunningly realized body horror there's a tone of playfulness running throughout the whole thing. It's clear that director and co-writer Richard Stanley wants us to laugh and shudder at the things happening to this unfortunate family, which makes some of the more ridiculous elements and Nic Cage's patented freakouts (one or two of which rank among his best) easier to swallow. In fact in regards to the latter, the qualities Cage is so often derided and mocked for are used in an appropriate manner that actually elevates the overall experience and with a knowing wink to the audience that view his schlocky projects solely for them in the process.

The only thing that didn't sit well with me about the movie is that I feel it underdelivered on a defining staple of Lovacraftian fiction. That being how knowledge is harmful and that discovering the true nature of reality or coming face-to-face with something that exists outside our perception of it will cause one to lose their mind. Here though the entity seemingly robs everyone of their sanity before they're even aware of its presence at all. I guess I wanted more of a slow descent into madness as the result of an attempt to understand what's going on, rather than a force in the shadows messing with people's heads long before it begins to step into the light.

The unasked question at the back of everyone's brain of what it would be like if a Syfy original actually lived up to its potential and managed to be good without entirely ditching the wackiness has finally been answered. Never before have disgust, bizarreness, and nervous amusement come together so delightfully. What's really impressive though is that Nicolas Cage got to step into one of those more out-there roles he seems to love while still being in a piece of quality filmmaking. Low-key, that might be what I celebrate the most.… Expand

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9

Method__ManNov 14, 2020

A perfect return to
Form for Nick Cage. The film plays on imagery, framing, and visuals. The plot is great, Taking inspiration from the classics. Well worth your time

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8

Rcavey92212Mar 25, 2020

Richard Stanley director of one of my favorite pieces of genre of all time Hardware returns from his 30 year hiatus with this creepy, fantastical stylized Lovecraft horror fest. Nicholas Cage (National Treasure) gives another unevenRichard Stanley director of one of my favorite pieces of genre of all time Hardware returns from his 30 year hiatus with this creepy, fantastical stylized Lovecraft horror fest. Nicholas Cage (National Treasure) gives another uneven performance as a father and husband whom discovers a glowing meteor in his backyard. Soon after it begins to change the enviorment and than those around him in horrific ways. From ghastly mutations to explosions of beautiful pink florescent light. The movie is intriguing, innovative and stylish with a pulsating dread induced atmosphere. The performances are solid from everyone but Cage. Although he has some inspired moments he just doesn't hold back in unnecessary ways as usual. One thing this movie does prove is that Stanley is back and ready to gave the career he deserved.

4/5… Expand

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9

ThwompthingNov 8, 2020

WOW, I was pleasantly surprised. After seeing the incredibly positive critic reviews I decided to finally give it a watch, and I'm glad I did. If you love gory horror mixed with some comedy, this is definitely for you. The gore in thisWOW, I was pleasantly surprised. After seeing the incredibly positive critic reviews I decided to finally give it a watch, and I'm glad I did. If you love gory horror mixed with some comedy, this is definitely for you. The gore in this film reminded me a lot of Carpenter's The Thing, because of the assimilation thing going on here. The practical effects were amazing, just like in The Thing. Nic Cage was also top notch in this. He still has it, just like he had it in Mandy! You've got to have a very bland taste in films to give this a low score. It was exciting and creepy from start to finish. Great acting by everyone. I can't imagine having such boring taste in movies to give this a bad score. Must watch film.… Expand

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9

RonenethelichJul 15, 2020

This movie walks a fine line between over the top and terrifying, and it manages to walk the line flawlessly. The horrifying parts are more disturbing with Nicholas Cage’s overacting, and his overacting feeds the scarier scenes. Plus theThis movie walks a fine line between over the top and terrifying, and it manages to walk the line flawlessly. The horrifying parts are more disturbing with Nicholas Cage’s overacting, and his overacting feeds the scarier scenes. Plus the effects are superbly done. My biggest complaint is that there aren’t more Lovecraft movies like it.… Expand

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8

alejandro970Nov 26, 2022

Adapting the iconic story of H. P. Lovecraft to the present day has its merits since it sticks to its skin and skeleton. The plot transmits the fear and restlessness of the original text and that is a strong point; if it hadn't gone too farAdapting the iconic story of H. P. Lovecraft to the present day has its merits since it sticks to its skin and skeleton. The plot transmits the fear and restlessness of the original text and that is a strong point; if it hadn't gone too far with the psychedelic colors, he would be a bit better.… Expand