Mind control. Advances of modern science have removed it from the realm of the mystical into the all too probable. What happens when science loses control is the subject of The Terminal Man, based on a novel by Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, The Terminal Man) and written for the screen and directed by Mike Hodges (Get Carter, Flash Gordon). Computer scientist Harry Benson (George Segal, Just Shoot Me!, California Split) has experimental brain surgery to end his potentially dangerous seizures. Electrodes are attached with 40 terminals to his brain to counteract his violent impulses. But there’s no escaping his own mind. The experiment backfires and the seizures return … with a terminal vengeance. Hooking into this visionary tale will unnerve you. But the truth behind its hallucinatory horrors will fascinate and stimulate you.

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Video Quality

The Terminal Man debuts on Blu-Ray with a fantastic digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer from an unknown master. Colors are consistently saturated throughout the frame with bold hues leaping off the screen in the lighting especially. Black levels never succumb to crush and compression artifacts are completely avoided. Highlights are similarly kept in the appropriate range without blooming coming into play. Skin tones are natural and consistent across the performers.

Clarity and detail are top-notch with the locale, the costumes, and the production design coming forth with a world of unique facets on full display. This is aided by the presence of the natural film grain without any unwarranted manipulation to compromise the image. The grain helps reveal the complexity of the interiors while staying clear of a problematic encode that could introduce some unsightly elements. Print damage is nowhere to be seen with nothing egregious showing up in the frame. The environments are rendered with a favorable amount of texture and definition. Shout! Studios has done nice work here.

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray presents the film with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio dual mono track that brings this feature to life exactly as needed. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear in conjunction with all of the competing sounds. The environmental effects such as the medical machines and helicopter engines are delineated favorably. This track never needs to get too aggressive but it provides the necessary texture while never exhibiting any weakness. All of the musical elements sound wonderful as they establish the paranoid mood of the narrative. Shout! Studios has delivered a sturdy presentation. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Trailer (3:02)

Final Thoughts

The Terminal Man is a methodical thriller that explores the place of ethics within the medical community and our understanding of human behavior. The film is pretty slow in the first half as it settles you into the rhythms of the narrative, but you are left with a haunting sense of dread once you reach the end. George Segal is very good in the lead role, but it is Joan Hackett who impresses us the most. Michael Crichton always manages to approach science in creative ways. Shout! Studios has delivered a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation but barely any special features. If you are a fan of the film, this is a great release. Recommended

The Terminal Man is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Shout! Studios has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.