A young man discovers an alien suit that gives him wild new powers, but he also now has to deal with an evil corporation who wants to control the suit themselves. Yes, that’s literally the exact plot of last year’s Blue Beetle–and there are lots of other movies in that same ballpark, to be honest. But we’re here today to talk about one in particular: 1991’s The Guyver, in which a guy finds a power suit that turns him into a bug guy, and then he has to fight other bug guys. The Guyver also has mustachioed Mark Hamill and Mark Hamill transforming into a big cockroach.
The Guyver arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray this summer, finally getting the stunning detail it’s always deserved. And this is a lot more than just your standard new 4K Blu-ray release with recycled extra features from the old DVD–fans are going to find a lot to like here.
$45 (was $60)
The Guyver is getting a legitimately deluxe treatment with this set, which includes a 4K restoration of the original R-rated theatrical cut, which has never been released on home video in America–the VHS and DVD releases were all modified versions. On top of that there’s a huge number of new special features, like a new commentary track featuring co-directors Screaming Mad George and Steve Wang along with a host of new interviews and behind the scenes footage like a gag reel and outtakes. Nearly every bonus feature included is brand-new, which is pretty special for a movie this old. And just for good measure, this limited-edition set includes the original score by composer Matthew Morse on CD.
So, when can you watch the theatrical cut of The Guyver in glorious 4K? Well, it seemingly depends on where you order your copy. Target currently lists the release date as May 21, while Amazon says June 25–a day that is already crowded in the home media space thanks to 4K anniversary editions of the first South Park movie and Team America: World Police. It’s possible the date will change at one of the retailers.
Regardless of your retailer of choice, the price is a bit steep at the moment at $45. Amazon states the list price is $60, though Target makes no mention of any price other than $45. What’s important to note is that if you order from Amazon, you won’t be charged until the movie ships. You’ll automatically pay the lowest price offered prior to release, which is worth keeping in mind since Blu-rays often receive discounts ahead of launch.
