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It's been over two years since authoring houses began developing their MPEG-2 compression tools and skills. As their technology improved and experience gained, we enjoyed DVD releases with fewer artifacts and better-looking video. The work of some facilities stands out above the others, Universal's for example. But the one facility that claims to have the most experience and the best tools - and is producing outstanding DVDs to prove it - is Laser Pacific Media Corporation. So while I was viewing Earth Girls Are Easy and found myself distracted by how exceptional the video was, I made a mental note to find the production house credit. It wasn't hard to find; it follows the theatrical credits. There it was: Laser Pacific Media Corporation. Kudos. Earth Girls Are Easy may be the best looking DVD I've ever seen.

Director Julien Temple chose a Southern California location and applied a riotous color palette to this silly bit of froth. Valley-girl/manicurist Valerie (Geena Davis) is stuck in a bad relationship with an unfaithful surgeon named Ted (Charles Rocket). (I don't think anyone in this film has a last name.) Valerie catches Ted in illicit mid-seduction during a failed attempt to surprise him with a makeover intended to rekindle his libido. Furious, she breaks off their engagement, kicks him out of her house, and destroys everything that might be his.

The next day, while she's pining for him and sunbathing in her semi-translucent-when-wet bikini, a retro-spaceship crash-lands in her swimming pool. Within are three brightly colored, furry, horny aliens. So she invites them in for lunch. The ship is a bit waterlogged and must be dried out before the aliens can leave, so Valerie calls her pool man to drain the pool. To hide their true identities while their ship dries, she takes the goofy visitors to her friend Candy's (Julie Brown) Curl Up & Dye beauty salon for complete makeovers. Several drums of Nair and three blow-drys later, out pop Mac (Jeff Goldblum), Wiploc (Jim Carrey), and Zeebo (Damon Wayans). Mac and Valerie are instantly attracted to one another.

What follows is a succession of fish-out-of-water gags, several musical numbers (each of which, for me, stop the film dead in its tracks), the discrediting of Dr. Ted, the rescue of Wiploc and Zeebo from near vivisection, innumerable double entendres, and the great escape. Understandably light on plot, the film has a certain sexy energy that's just plain fun. Davis carries the film; Valerie's airheadedness is charming. Carrey's performance is downright restrained. Goldblum is nicely wistful.

There are some clever cameos: Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet and some aliens from the original Outer Limits television show appear in a monochrome dream sequence. And Angelyne, a Hollywood institution best known for her cup size and big blond hair, was nominated for the prestigious 1990 Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress for her brief appearance. As I said, frothy. Isn't that odd...this is the second Geena Davis film I've put on my list of guilty pleasures.

Video: How Does The Disc Look?

The film's 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio is presented in anamorphic video (the notes on the back of the clamshell case indicating 1.85:1 is a typo). As I wrote when I began this review, the video is simply outstanding. The video is extremely detailed without any intrusive sharpness enhancement. There is no video noise, and no noticeable digital artifacts, just wonderfully crisp, clear, rock solid images. The colors are vivid and vibrant. Have a look at the tropical fish tank in Valerie's home; the coral and the fish are gorgeous. The director frequently composed his scenes with bright, richly colored costumes, sets, backgrounds, and set dressing. They are all reproduced flawlessly.

Audio: How Does The Disc Sound?

The audio is not as spectacular. The soundtrack is Dolby Surround, a limitation most likely related to the available elements. While there are a few surround effects and few sound effects, that's not what this film is about. The music and dialog are crystal clear, and that's all you need.

Supplements: What Goodies Are There?

This DVD offers an English soundtrack only, Spanish subtitles only, 36 chapter stops with dynamic thumbnails, production notes and cast & crew screens, and a very entertaining array of extras. There is a trailer, of course, presented as 1.85:1 in conventional 4:3 letterbox video. And then there's Valley Cable. Select this option from the Special Features screen and you're presented with the image of a television set. There are twelve VHF channels, 2 through 13, and one UHF channel. Navigate to any channel and you're rewarded with a little treat: a video of a commercial used within the film, a production video, outtakes and deleted scenes, kareoke, and other surprises.

Parting Thoughts

Having enjoyed Laser Pacific's ever improving output, I sincerely hope Artisan will commission them to produce a quality replacement for the Stargate letterboxed flipper DVD. And I wish the other studios would follow Laser Pacific's authoring lead. Hey, we deserve it.

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