Colony Mutation: Collector's Edition – Visual Vengeance (Blu-ray)

Release Date: USA, 1995
Director: Tom Berna
Writer: Tom Berna
Cast: Joan Dinco, David Rommel, Anna Zizzo, Susan L. Cane, Clayton Simchick, Tammy Andersen, Raymond Bradford, Nancy Brown

Release Date: April 7th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 76 Minutes 50 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"When genetic scientist Meredith Weaver finds out about her husband's affair, she doses him with an experimental and very unstable serum, which causes his body parts to separate from his torso and take on monstrous lives of their own, all of them now craving human flesh. Soon, he's stalking the streets in search of young women to quench the now insatiable hunger of his evil appendages." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 2.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New, director-supervised 2K transfer and restoration from original Super 8 film elements."

Colony Mutation comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.9 GB

Feature: 17.3 GB (2K Transfer), 9.3 GB (2013 DVD Version), 6.6 GB (1998 VHS Version)

Although the transfer originates from the original Super 8 elements and has undergone some cleaning, there are still inherent limitations in the source material, such as graininess and color fading that cannot be entirely removed. Nevertheless, it is clear that this release is the best the film will ever look on home media.

Audio: 2.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in English with removable English SDH. Dialogue comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise this audio track is serviceable.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a Visual Vengeance trailer for Colony Mutation (47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a producer’s teaser trailer for Colony Mutation (1 minute 5 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an image gallery with music from the film playing in the background, complete original script, an archival public access interview with director Tom Berna titled In the Director’s Chair (11 minutes 44 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with music composer Patrick Nettesheim (12 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor David Rommel (30 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Tom Berna (30 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Tony Strauss of Weng’s Chop Magazine for 2013 DVD version, an audio commentary with Tom Berna for 2K transfer version, alternate original 1998 VHS version of Colony Mutation (82 minutes 42 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, interlaced, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an alternate original 2013 DVD version of Colony Mutation (81 minutes 44 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, interlaced, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art featuring original VHS art, 'Stick your own' VHS sticker set, a folded mini-poster, a six-page leaflet (limited to the first pressing) with an essay titled Of Milwaukee Mutations and Men: Tom Berna’s Colony written by Tony Strauss, and an O-card slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Other extras are Visual Vengeance trailers for Cyclops, A Polish Vampire in Burbank, and Vampire’s Embrace.

Summary:

When a woman discovers her husband's affair, she doses him with an experimental serum that causes a mutation that separates his limbs from his torso.

The premise is an inventive take on the woman-scorned scenario with some body horror elements. While the opening setup effectively establishes the foundation, the narrative excessively focuses on the husband's relationship with his mistress, leaving insufficient attention on his mutation. Additionally, the narrative suffers from being overly talkative, with a lack of surprises throughout.

It’s immediately evident that Colony Mutation operates on a shoestring budget. This is particularly noticeable in its special effects, which are quite comical in their lack of quality. That said, the performances benefit from a cast who give their all by embracing everything thrown at them. Ultimately, Colony Mutation is an ambitious ultra-low-budget horror film that can’t overcome its budget limitations.

Colony Mutation is another solid release from Visual Vengeance that comes with a wealth of extras and presents the film in its best possible audio/video presentation.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer