Giorgio Moroder presents Metropolis (1984 Retro Edition)

Giorgio Moroder presents Metropolis (1984 Retro Edition)

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: Moroder's overkill treatment of lang's already butchered masterwork is still incredible entertainment. Two time periods collide with a genuine spark.

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Fritz Lang's 1927 sci-fi fable 'Metropolis' is a bold, timeless masterpiece. Giorgio Moroder, the legedary 80s musician behind the songs/scores of 'Scarface', 'Electric Dreams' and 'Flashdance' struggled to get his genius to break out of that decade's fashion.

This unlikely duo come together for Moroder's 1984 'retro' treatment of 'Metropolis' which injects colour tints and 80s pop music to the great German expressionist epic. Expect Adam Ant, Bonnie Tyler, Freddie Mercury and others (including the pioneering electronic composer himself) to grace the airwaves of this version. Retro yes but on a timeless backdrop. Irresistible.

When the drum machine hits its last beat and the synths fade, the famous head and heart finale carries a whole new reverence.

Given the amazing work Eureka's Masters of Cinema did with the extended print a few years back for their Blu-ray, it's a shame this only comes to DVD with a comparatively poorer (but still hugely watchable) print. Kudos to them for putting this to DVD, it's delicious.

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From July 23rd 2012 for a limited engagement, 'Metropolis'  is available for streaming, through a new revolutionary VOD technology provided by Yekra, at www.metropolismovie.co.uk You can find more info on the film there and also at www.facebook.com/metropolismovie .

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