Product Details

• Actors: Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton, Robert Vaughn, Richard Jaeckel, Lee Ving
• Directors: Harley Cokeliss
• Writers: John Carpenter, Desmond Nakano, William Gray
• Producers: Douglas Curtis, Joel B. Michaels, John Carpenter
• Format: Color, EP, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Anchor Bay
• VHS Release Date: July 28, 1994
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303265804
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,503 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With a screenplay partially written by John Carpenter (Halloween), a cast that includes Tommy Lee Jones in the lead, and a dream car called the Black Moon that travels up to 350 miles per hour, one should feel entitled to see a pretty good movie here. It doesn't quite work out that way, however. Jones plays a high-tech thief squeezed by the government into stealing data from a shady corporation. Under pursuit, he slips the booty into the back of the lightning-quick Black Moon, which is subsequently stolen by Robert Vaughn's hot-car operation. And so on. What could have been a smart, fast-paced action piece with some original elements and heated visuals suddenly cools after the story setup. It cools so much, in fact, that one begins to question the film's logic: why on earth, for example, would a smart, visionary villain such as Vaughn's character limit himself to stolen vehicles? Carpenter fans and other completists will want to check this out, understandably, but the rest of us will have to find points of interest in Jones's sharpened wits and supporting performances by Linda Hamilton, Lee Ving, and Richard Jaeckel. Directed by Harley Cokliss. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a good DVD version! - A great 80's B-Movie!, January 15, 2008

By 

J. McDonald - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Moon Rising (DVD)

This review is for the Black Moon Rising DVD with UPC 013131549690 and ASIN: B000WC38DM, from Starz / AnchorBay. DVD Release Date: December 18, 2007.

There are several versions of Black Moon Rising available on DVD. Please be aware that many have VERY poor transfers, are full-screen (cropped), and some are even missing the opening computer "text" that sets up the plot. I've purchased three versions on DVD and this one (The 2007 release) seems to be the only one that finally gets it right.

Black Moon Rising is based on a story by John Carpenter, who is also listed as a co-writer of the screenplay. If you're looking for a good action B-Movie from the 80's, Black Moon Rising should be at the top of your list. Here's why....

Perfectly cast; Tommy Lee Jones totally owns the role of "Quint", a character that should have seen many more big screen adventures. Linda Hamilton, fresh off her "Terminator" success, delivers a fine performance as "Nina", a professional car thief. Film and TV veteran Robert Vaughn (The Man From UNCLE, Magnificent Seven) makes an excellent villain. Even the supporting cast (Bubba Smith, Richard Jaeckel, Lee Ving) are right on target!

I cannot review this movie without also mentioning the OUTSTANDING score by legendary tv and film composer Lalo Schifrin, who is perhaps best known for having created the "mission impossible" theme. I must also mention the incredible "Black Moon" car, which looks absolutely great!

The weakest link within the film is a screenplay that could have used a rewrite, and a few special effects in need of a bit more work. But in the end, it's the cast, music, and overall "style" of the film that more than makes up for the low-budget and script problems.

Black Moon Rising is a low-budget, 80's B-Movie that is certain to entertain! And with this DVD release, we finally get a decent, unedited transfer of the film!!

JM

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Newer DVD version exists. Beware of poor quality releases!, January 24, 2008

By 

J. McDonald - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Moon Rising (DVD)

There are several versions of this DVD available. The newest release is;

Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay

DVD Release Date: December 18, 2007

ASIN: B000WC38DM

Look for it here on Amazon.

This release is also by Starz / Anchor Bay (DVD Release Date: January 30, 2001), but apparently some people have had skipping issues with this version (see the other reviews). Also, avoid the other releases which are cheap for a reason; most are full screen and poor quality transfers. Some even have the opening "computer text" removed.

I own three DVD versions and my recommendation is to go with the newest (2007) release!

JM

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of those overlooked gems, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Moon Rising [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It happens. Wrong time. Wrong place. Who Knows? But sometimes even movies released into regular circulation from the major studios fall through the cracks. This is definitely one of those. Tommy Lee Jones as the industrial spy is as cool and calm as he's ever been. Linda Hamilton is as good as she's ever been and Richard Jaekel turns in another steady performance. The plot is clever and tight enough to satisfy most and the directing by Harley Cockliss (whatever happened to him? This seems to be his only outing) is tight and well paced. This is just a good action thriller, and it has one of the best fist-fight scenes ever. It isn't quite up to the budget of the newer "high concept" titles like Enemy of the State or The Rock, but it's every bit as nifty as those. Jones' performance alone is worth the price of the rental so grab a pizza and a six pack and go for it. Note: The "Guy Factor" is real high here, so all you testosterone-laden males out there are virtually guaranteed a good time.