Mr. Brooks has never struck me as a subtle humorist, and I had some worry that a comedy-musical-drama about World War II and Nazism could be taken from funny to farcical under his guidance.  Perplexingly, I also had high expectations at the same time – with such rich subject matter, and a stellar cast, this movie had the potential to be really good.  And in short, this movie was really good, the type of comedy I grew up on, and the type that seems to have fallen out of favor with the viewing public.

Film

Set on the eve of World War II, Mel Brooks plays Frederick Bronski, an apparently “famous” Polish actor who takes pride in his portrayal of Hamlet in his Excerpts from Hamlet.  In art imitating life, his wife Anna Bronski is played by Mr. Brooks’ very talented wife, the late Anne Bancroft.  As owners and lead actors in a Polish theatre company, not all is rosy between the couple, as Mrs. Bronski is feeling her importance to their success is being minimized.  This is illustrated early in the film with one of the best visual jokes I’ve ever seen (when Frederick is shown a poster for their upcoming performance of The Merry Widower).  Mrs. Bronski has her own issues, including her encouragement of advances being made to her by a dashing Polish airman, Lt. Sobinski (played by Tim Matheson).

As we historically know, the Germans invaded Poland, leading Lt. Sobinski to find himself flying for the free Polish forces in England.  There, he and his comerades give names of friends and family who are in the Polish Resistance to Professor Siletski (played well by Jose Ferrer), a traitorous agent who secretly wishes to give the information to the Nazis.

Although Lt. Sobinski gives a cryptic message of love to be taken to Anna, he later deduces Professor Siletski’s plan, and is asked by officials to go to Poland to keep Dr. Siletski from delivering this list of names to the Gestapo.  However, since Anna’s name appears on the list of people to send messages to, the Bronskis are drawn into this drama, as is their entire theatre company.

The decision to have Alan Johnson direct the film may have been the most important decision Mr. Brooks made for the quality of this film.  Mel Brooks-directed films share a certain manic “over-the-topness” that would have been inappropriate for To Be or Not to Be.  This is a story that makes fun of Nazi Germany and the self-aggrandizement of actors, yet still has serious overtones such as the Gestapo, the invasion of Poland, and the Holocaust.  Although humorous, the material requires a sensitivity and finesse to make it funny, while never losing sight of what Nazism actually meant.

Despite its grim subject matter, this is easily one of the funniest and wittiest movies I’ve seen in a very long time.  The chemistry between the actors is palpable, and their interaction is superb.  Classic comedic timing is apparent on every joke, and laughs are for the viewer to figure out – they are not handed to the audience with auditory clues or over the top visuals (a la American Pie).  The surrounding cast are as superb as they get, with standout performances from George Gaynes, Charles Durning, and James Haake.  However, special mention goes to Anne Bancroft for playing Anna in a wry and comedic way, to Mel Brooks for toning down his schtick when the script calls for it, and to Christopher Lloyd, who steals every scene he is in as a hapless SS man.

In the end, this is a very funny movie that demonstrates how good comedy can be, especially when understated humor meets over-the-top humor.  It also makes great use of classical elements of comedy, including visual jokes, running gags, caricature, and classic timing to make the audience laugh.  I cannot recollect the last time I had seen a film where I have laughed out loud this much, many times at my surprise in finding a joke that wasn’t all that obvious.  Smart, funny, and a bit melancholy, this is what a comedy should be.

Video

Again, the producers of this box set have done an excellent job with the video restoration of this film.  Although the grain we would expect for an early 80’s movie is there, enough is cleaned up so that it doesn’t become distracting in 1080p.

However, there were some issues with the presentation, most notably the soft focus that seemed to be used on Anne Bancroft from the midpoint of the film-on.  These scenes simply have a quality not congruent with the rest of the exceptional visuals in this film.  There are also scenes where there are color bleed issues, such as when Frederik returns from his meeting with the Gestapo then finds Lt. Sobinski in his bed – his shirt looks like a light bulb in the dark room.

Set design must have been done well, as they all look great and pop with color (especially the luxuriously appointed theatre interior).  Costumes were also equally well done, and the fabrics and detail truly shine in HD.  Originally a choreographer, the exactness in Director Johnson’s eye plays out well through this film, creating a great visual landscape that translated very well to Blu-ray. 

Audio

As an early 80’s film, I expected the audio presentation to be a bit of a mixed bag.  And true to form for movies of this era, it was.

Firstly, the score by John Morris is superb, and itself contains very wry and ironic themes while accompanying the movie.  It is not often one hears “Deutschland Uber Alles” incorporated slightly off kilter into a soundtrack.  Through the DTS-HD MA presentation, this score shines.

Dialog is also very clear through the centre channel, though it seems to be a bit mixed-down or muffled.  Although volume levels are good, a certain crispness or sibilance was missing.  We do suffer from the early 80’s issue of lack of dynamic range and spatializing, with the LFE channel being sadly underused, much like the surrounds.

All-in-all, an average audio presentation for a film of this era – nothing great, but better than serviceable.

Special Features

Much like Silent Movie, To Be or Not to Be did not receive a solo Blu-ray release, and we therefore find a skinnier feature set on this disc.  Included are a trivia pop-up track (a good one by the way), an isolated score track, a short HD featurette on Bancroft and Brooks working together, a short vintage promo piece (in SD), three short interviews (also in SD), plus trailers for this film and other Mel Brooks films.

Generally, not an overly impressive special feature set, with the main HD featurette being charming yet below the standard of the one that accompanied Silent Movie.

Final Thoughts

Although the “extras” of this film were minimal and the audio presentation was pedestrian, the video presentation was quite good, with the film itself being wonderful.  Well-acted, possessing a sensitivity to the subject matter, and delivering comedy in an intelligent and witty way, this is a movie I know I will watch again.

Although not a “traditional” Mel Brooks movie, I have not seen a film that better highlights his ability as an actor.  Nor have I seen a film in recent memory show how closely related comedy and tragedy are.

And unfortunately, I am again giving a “Buy It” recommendation for a film that is only available as a part of this collection.

Film 

The film follows a con man who goes town to town starting up “boy’s bands”, embezzling the money the townspeople invest into the band and skips down. The film shows us what happens when he becomes slightly more attached when he visits his next target, River City.

Filled with some classic musical pieces that most of the blu-ray watching demographic (myself included) have probably never heard of. Besides “Shipoopi”, which Stewie from Family Guy does a cover in one of the episodes. However, even to modern viewers of the film, it is obvious that this was one of the great classic musicals.

After some research I found out that Morton DaCosta, the director, had worked closely with Meredith Wilson, the writer of the Broadway show and the film adaptation, in order to keep the film true to it’s roots. Perhaps one of the best ways to do so was to bring in Robert Preston, who starred in the original show and who pulls out a great and zany performance, which must’ve been a walk in the park for him considering he won a Tony for his work on the original musical.

Video 

After seeing North by Northwest‘s amazing transfer and comparing it to The Music Man, I was a bit unimpressed. It still looks great, but you can tell that having a million dollar budget (like North by Northwest’s) on restorations definitely makes a difference when compared to this film.

The colors are slightly washed out and there’s a bit of grain, which is forgivable for it adds character to the content of the Blu-ray. The resolution is crisp, but some details are soft. However considering the source, it’s a decent transfer from a 60′s film without an insane overhaul restoration!

Audio 

You’d expect great audio from a musical and using the DTS-HD Master audio codec the film delivers a good audio performance for a film that’s 50 years old. The dialogue has that great hollow sound coming off of archaic equipment that gives the sound its character, but even though it may be inferior to today’s audio recording it sounds just as great coming through the center speaker.

The music scenes are mixed very well and even though your subwoofer won’t be shaking framed artwork off the walls; it really recreates the subtle lows accurately, which I love.

At times the tracks decrease slightly in volume, either due to a mixing issue or audio fading, but overall it’s a decent mix for a musical.

Special Features 

Besides a short featurette about adapting the play into the movie, there’s a theatrical trailer and an introduction… None of which were impressive or worth the time and all of them were SD, so even the die-hard fans of the musical will be disappointed.

Final Thoughts 

The Music Man, being a classic part within the musical realm of classic cinema, may not have gotten its definitive release, with a lack of special features and an overall mediocre audio and video quality, but considering the sparse amount of classic films being brought to Blu-ray, it’s still an essential watch to film lovers and classic cinema aficionados. Rent it and give it a try!

Film 

Like everything else in Hollywood nowadays, I suppose it was only a matter of time before the 1980 hit film Fame got remade.  Like its predecessor, the film features a group of students attending the New York City High School for the Performing Arts.  The school was created to provide the diverse training and infusion of skills needed in students aspiring to obtain professional careers in dance, music or drama.  As you can imagine, the competition is quite fierce among these students.  The film follows the trials and tribulations of the students’ lives throughout each four years of the performing arts high school.  After all, not only are the students competing for a chance at achieving fame, but also they are still just your ordinary everyday teenagers who are experiencing the highs and lows that go along with life as a high school student.  You remember what that was like?  Now could you imagine throwing in the stress of trying to make it as an entertainment professional while just barely managing to keep your chin above water in high school and fit in?  I could not.  

The original 1980′s version went on to become an international sensation spawning not only a hit television show, but also a stage production of the same name that is still playing now.  How’s that for legacy?  Not bad at all!  While today’s Fame will likely not achieve that same level of success its predecessor did, that does not stop the talented cast from trying.  The MGM production features performances by Kristy Flores, Asher Book, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton, Megan Mullally, Anna Marie Perez de Tagle and more.  We even procure seeing TV sitcom star Kelsey Grammer on the big screen as well as Charles S. Dutton, affectionately known as Rock, from his television show of the same name.

Whether you’re an actor, a musician, a dancer, a filmmaker or a participant in any other performing arts area, Fame has a little something to offer you.  Fame does not discriminate against any area within the performing arts category.  If you are artistic on any level, then this is the must-see feel good movie on the Blu-ray format for you.  The performances brought back some vivid memories of nostalgia within my sometimes-cold rigid self.  The film really inspired me to go out in life and get everything I want out of it, but most importantly to believe in myself and shun all the non-believers that seem to engulf me most of the times.  I undoubtedly felt the cast delivered a triumphant and rousing performance in capturing not only the energy required for a film like this, but also the inspiration that was essential to capturing the essence of the message the film conveyed.

For all the reasons listed above and for many more, I enthusiastically give a two thumbs up green light salute to anyone who has even an inkling of interest in visiting the newest Hollywood reincarnation of Fame.  The movie is far from being perfect and it obviously did not make my Top 10 of 2009, but that did not stop me from enjoying this musical gem.  And guess what?  Fame rocks it out even harder and louder on the Blu-ray format with an Extended Dance Edition.  The movie starts off a little slow, but the story quickly develops and emotionally reels you in as you become attached to these kids’ blossoming lives.  Although the film is not my usual proverbial cup of tea, I applaud it for its riveting performances, comedic elements and its inspirational value it bestowed upon me.  And now, best of all, I can enjoy it forever on the Blu-ray format.

Video 

Fame‘s visual presentation on the Blu-ray format is just as riveting and rousing as the song and dance performances within the actual film.  Fame graduates at the head of the class with a solid A in the video department and showcases a near perfect 1080P AVC MPEG-4 encode transfer and a 2.40:1 aspect ratio presentation.  The Blu-ray video presentation faithfully reproduces the rough and gritty streets of New York City, but most importantly it also captures all the beauty and wonder that can be found within the city of dreams.  But as I mentioned before, it’s not perfect.  The blacks are solid and inky, the characters in the shadows are always distinctively delineated, the flesh tones are accurate for the most part, but what prevents me from awarding a perfect 5-point score is the sometimes blurry images caused by the different filmmaking techniques and heavy palettes of grain found in certain scenes.  Other than the aforementioned minor qualms, Fame is a fabulous Blu-ray presentation to behold.

Audio 

Fame‘s technical report card is looking pretty good with another A on record, this time in the prestigious audio category.  Like the video presentation described in detail above, the audio is near reference as well.  If Fame were an action movie, then there is no doubt in my mind that you would be using this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track as the next demo to impress upon your friends.  The dynamics of the mix will put you right in the center of the thunderous bass action, the infectious groove of the songs and the crystal clear sing-along vocals.  From the ambient New York City traffic passing by to the clip-clap of the tap shoes on the wooden floors this track brilliantly captures it all.  The music of Fame resonates clearly through every channel of your surround system.  What more can you ask for?  It won’t please the pickiest of hardcore audiophiles completely, but make no mistake; they will be left with little to complain about.

Special Features 

What’s not impressive about the Fame Blu-ray package is its supplemental materials or therefore lack of.  Despite most of it being presented in hi-def, there’s simply nothing of quality or quantity to keep me entertained for hours on end here like most Blu-ray releases are able to elicit.  Sure there are the two versions of the film to watch, but where is the obligatory audio commentary track or the extensive behind the scenes look at the production of the film?  Oh well, I do enough complaining in life so let’s say we just briefly go over what hidden treasures await you on the Fame Blu-ray release.

• Extended Edition – As I previously stated, the Blu-ray release contains two versions of the film, the theatrical presentation and an extended edition which runs an extra 15 minutes longer and clocks in at 123 minutes in length.
• Deleted Scenes (HD) – There are really no new and exciting dance numbers to be missed here.  These are mostly conversational pieces that were cut.
• “Fame” Music Video (HD) – A crowd-pleasing music video that contains many appealing clips and moments from the film.
• Remember My Name Character Profiles (HD) – Here we have short video bios about the featured actors.  The profiles include Anna Marie Perez De Tagle, Asher Book, Collins Pennie, Kay Panabaker, Kherington Payne, Kristy Flores, Naturi Naughton, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Walter Perez and director Kevin Tancharoen.
• Fame National Talent Search Finalists Featurette (HD) – I think you can easily guess what this one is about.  Personally, being such a non-fan of anything reality TV related, I could have done without this one.
• The Dances of Fame Featurette (SD) – Actress Kerrington Payne gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the casting, boot camp and various dances featured in the movie.
• Digital Copy (SD) - The second disc in the Blu-ray package is none other than a lovely DVD that contains the even lovelier Digital Copy of the film.  I am being facetious here of course.  You all know how I love these standard definition extras.  Enjoy Fame on the go with your favorite portable media player.

Final Thoughts 

So what do you think?  You ready to give Fame a try on the Blu-ray format?  C’mon.  What do you have to lose?  You already know in addition to the near reference video and audio package that you will be bedazzled with plenty of songs to sing and dances to move to.  It may just be what the doctor ordered to get you off that couch this weekend.  Or if you are like me, Fame on Blu-ray may be the perfect medicine to kick your career into high gear and start doing something about achieving your dreams and goals in life.  If Fame teaches us one thing in life, it’s that not everything comes easy for everyone.  You either have what it takes or you don’t.  However, you will never know what you are capable of until you give it your all.  Whatever your poison is, Fame is the cure.  Live forever today with Fame on Blu-ray. 

I hope you enjoyed my review of the MGM’s Fame Blu-ray release.  Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.  I look forward to receiving any and all feedback from my readers.

Fame was released on Blu-ray January 12^th, 2010.  If you like what you read in the review above, then please show your support for our site by clicking the shopping cart link above to order and save with Amazon’s everyday lowest prices.  Thanks!

Film 

Gigi, not to be confused with the unfortunate Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez flick Gigli, is a musical set in Paris in 1900.  The film opens with an older gent (Maurice Chevalier) singing a song that contains the lyrics, “Thank Heaven for little girls.”  Yeah, that was a little creepy.  I know what you may be thinking.  I’ve grown up in a different time; those words were probably light-hearted back then.  But you know what?  I did grow up in a different time and an older man smiling at a 5-year old he doesn’t know while singing “Thank Heaven for little girls” does not sit well with me.  You can say I’m overreacting but it is what it is.  We’ll revisit this in a bit.

The character Gigi is played by Leslie Caron, who also starred in An American in Paris.  Gigi meets with her high-brow aunt on a weekly basis who instructs her on the ways of the upper crust of society.  Everything from dining etiquette to choosing the right cigar for a man is covered by the eccentric aunt who even says at one point, “Bad table manners, my dear Gigi, have broken up more households than infidelity.”  Gigi is utterly bored by the stale atmosphere of these meetings but continues on with them as advised by her grandmother. 

Meanwhile, the very wealthy Gaston, played by Louis Jourdan, searches for his one true love that he cannot seem to hang on to.  Already known by Gigi’s grandmother and Gigi as well, Gaston makes an occasional visit to their incredibly red apartment.  I felt the need to mention this because WOW, I’ve never seen so much red in a room before.  If you looked up the word ‘gaudy,’ there may be an accompanying photo of this very scarlet parlor. 

I’ve already got the attention span of a goldfish and I can’t seem to get the vision of that room out of my head while trying to write this review.  Anyway, Gaston begins a flirtatious and seemingly unwitting courtship of Gigi.  What starts out as a trip owed to Gigi on a playful bet, begins to turn into something more serious.  I want to make sure I’ve my facts straight because it appears that Gigi is about the age of a sophomore or junior…in high school.  Gaston is around 40.  Was this acceptable 100+ years ago?  Quite possibly, but watching it today where everyone on screen views it as a social norm was a bit weird. 

All in all, the film was not all that slow moving but no speed records for entertainment were set either.  There was also a bit of repetition and rehashing of lines and songs.  It seemed like the repeated dialogue/tunes were more filler than they were storyline content.  For a musical, there was not as much singing as you’ll find in other musicals.  This may be good news for those who are curious about the film but not generally big on musicals.  I really do not care to refer to this as a classic musical though.  It was assembled well enough, but there are so many other options out there of the same genre that Gigi would struggle to hold a tune to. 

Video 

Grain is present throughout the film but it is derived from the original film quality.  Thus, the Blu-ray, which is presented in 1080p with a VC-1 encode and 2.4:1 aspect ratio, cannot be faulted for this.  The grain does create a visual noise to the extent that the picture almost seems a bit cloudy at one particular scene later in the film.  It was almost as if there was a haze over the camera lens. 

As for the skin tones, they remained natural looking and consistent throughout Gigi’s 1-hour and 55-minute runtime.  There were a few shots featuring the sea in the background which looked amazingly blue.  That in and of itself did not appear unnatural but when set against the rest of the content in the scene, it did look like someone was a little over-ambitious in the restoration of the film.

While speaking of the film’s restoration, all I can say is that is was a phenomenal job overall.  You cannot watch Gigi and not be overly impressed visually when comparing it to films made today (keep in mind it is over half a century old).  However, if you want the perfect side-by-side comparison, I recommend checking out the theatrical trailer on the disc.  Yes, the trailer is in standard definition but the colors are faded and the screen lacks life when put up against the fully restored feature film. 

Audio 

I’ve become so accustomed to the ‘classic’ films being monaural on Blu-ray, that I was pleasantly surprised to have Gigi deliver a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 format.  Still, while rear speakers were utilized, the music would occasionally block out the singing or dialogue like an audible eclipse.  However, while the music tended to dominate the dialogue, those scenes that had music only were carried out quite well.  You won’t find any kind of static or top-notch sound delivery, nor will you find your sub woofer being used as it is the original score that has been cleaned up for the Blu-ray release.  Like the video though, you cannot fault an unimpressive original release for a less than perfect track on Blu-ray.

Special Features 

While the list is a short one, I am happy to report that for a film that is five decades old, there is one extra on the disc that is in High Definition; Thank Heaven!.

• Behind the Story – Gigi (1958) – Commentary by acclaimed film historian Jeanine Basinger with award-winning actress Leslie Caron describing the creative struggles behind one of the most daring musicals of all time.
• The Million Dollar Nickel – 1952 MGM short – What starts out as a quick bit telling you all the things a nickel can get you in 1952, turns into borderline anti-Communist propaganda.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a noteworthy piece and I’m all for it but it was interestingly disguised (9:30).
• Thank Heaven!  The Making of Gigi – How the last of the classic MGM musicals survived a turbulent production – featuring an all-new interview with star Leslie Caron, plus a rare interview with award-winning director Vincente Minnelli (35:49).
• Theatrical Trailer - (3:30)

Final Thoughts 

I really did not care for this film.  It has nothing to do with the year when it came out or that it’s a musical.  I’m not a fan of musicals but as Simon can appreciate country music done right on American Idol, I can appreciate a solid musical.  The content was somewhat bothersome and the last 30 minutes did elicit some sloth-like qualities.  I cannot believe that this movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture (one of many Academy Awards for the film).  It must have been a weak year for films in 1958 or someone picked the wrong movie to win.  I didn’t see anything ground-breaking in Gigi and during the film’s original release, one New York Times columnist even referred to its lack of originality by saying, “a musical film that bears such a basic resemblance to My Fair Lady that the authors may want to sue themselves.”  I rest my case.

Film 

An American in Paris was released in 1951 and from the attire and vehicles of the film, it’s safe to say it takes place at roughly the same time.  Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) is an aspiring artist/painter who left the confines of familiarity in New Jersey to be in the center of it all, as far as artists go, in Paris.  Mulligan is your typical starving artist…literally.  The guy has no money but his brush strokes to canvas bring the city landscapes to life.  It isn’t until one day that a passerby, a rather wealthy passerby I might add, admires his sidewalk display of artwork and before you know it, Jerry Mulligan goes from painter on the street to commissioned artist, courtesy of the rich and single Milo Roberts (played by Nina Foch).

Over time, it seems like Milo is not trying to find love, but buy it.  Her continuous advances toward Kelly’s character are barely camouflaged by her spending in an attempt to secure his dream and her man.  Supplies?  Your own studio?  No problem!  Milo has it covered.  Unbeknownst to Ms. Roberts, Jerry Mulligan is seeking a catch of his own and more than just your average love triangle begins.

Interspersed with the storyline is the inevitable song and dance.  This is, after all, a musical.  These pieces are appropriately placed in the film and do not seem to interrupt the flow of the story.  As this was my first experience to Gene Kelly, I would be lying if I said anything less than “I was impressed.”  He acts, he sings, but arguably his strongest attribute is his dancing. 

Gene Kelly had a flow to his footwork that is rarely seen in today’s era of entertainers.  This, my friends, is talent personified.  From his expressive form of modern dance to the tap that he performs so effortlessly, Kelly relays an on-screen presence that is admirable at the very least and jaw-dropping at best.  It is no surprise to see how he commanded an audience with his performances. 

This may not be the greatest musical of all time, but after watching it I instantly became a Gene Kelly fan.  From his swooning smile that hypnotized the ladies to the ratta-tat-tat of his Tommy Gun taps, Kelly is an American legend as far as entertainers go.  I can’t imagine anyone else filling his role in An American in Paris while still having the film retain the same pizzazz. 

Video 

Things got off to a rocky start when the picture didn’t fill my television screen.  There is no anamorphic widescreen capability on this disc, sadly enough.  A perfect square is what you’ll be watching the whole time in this 1080p, VC-1 encode presentation.  Keep in mind this film is almost 60 years old.  Unfortunately you will not see a grand amount of detail that Blu-ray is capable of showing…provided the original film quality could capture it.  With that being said, grain is kept to a minimum and the colors are very vibrant and eye-catching.  I don’t want to lend the impression that it looks like some Turner-colorized classic.  It’s just the opposite as An American in Paris was originally filmed in color anyway and the palette presented is a very natural looking one.  All in all, it is a beautiful thing and you will unwittingly adjust to the boxy presentation.

Audio 

My ears did a double-take in drowning disappointment as neither of my rear speakers came to life.  In fact, the film is presented in a mere 1.0 delivery.  It looks as if the original audio presentation was carried over to this Blu-ray disc.  When you are used to surround sound (or should I say spoiled by it), it takes some getting used to when reverting back to the old TV speakers.  Yes your ears will adjust but that all-enveloping experience can be absent.  Nevertheless, you will be able to catch all the tunes sung on screen as well as every bit of dialogue and every Kelly tap, although some are more faint than others.  There was one particular scene in the film when some background fuzz was able to be heard through the front speakers.  Though it lasted for only a short time, it was a little distracting. 

Special Features 

A variety of extras await viewers on this disc though only one of which had some content in high definition (‘S Wonderful: The Making of An American in Paris).  There is plenty of content to go around that is comprised of several items from when the film was released. 

• Behind the Story – Commentary by Patricia Ward Kelly (Gene Kelly’s widow) with Arthur Freed, Gene Kelly, Vincente Minelli, Alan Jay Lerner, Saul Chaplin, Leslie Caron, Nina Foch, Michael Feinstein, Johnny Green, Preston Ames and Irene Sharaff.
• ‘S Wonderful: The Making of An American in Paris (42:26)
• Love Walked In (Outtake) – A musical scene not included in the final cut of the film with singing by supporting cast member Georges Guétary (2:44).
• Audio – A series of audio-only extras that feature songs from the film’s soundtrack, dialogue and narration from Gene Kelly and others (14:33).
  • Alternative Main Title
  • But Not For Me (Guétary Vocals)
  • But Not For Me (Levant Piano Solo)
  • Gershwin Prelude #3
  • I’ve Got a Crush on You
  • Nice Work if You Can Get It
  • ‘S Wonderfu
• Radio Interviews (4:46)
  • Johnny Green
  • Gene Kelly
  • Gene Kelly & Leslie Caro
• Extras
  • Gene Kelley: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002 PBS Documentary) – A biography of Gene Kelly told from those who worked with him and studied from him.  It is one spectacular look at his life and life’s work (1:24:48).
  • Paris On Parade: 1938 MGM Short – A very short documentary about ‘modern-day’ Paris (8:53).
  • Symphony in Slang: 1951 MGM cartoon – This cartoon features a tongue-in-cheek delivery of some 50′s slang in a visually literal way (6:44)
• Trailers - Theatrical Trailer

Final Thoughts 

If a film of any genre can change the mindset of a viewer about that particular genre, that says a lot for that film.  Not everyone is going to be wowed by An American in Paris.  Even so, this film should be nothing less than a rental.  Again, I do not like musicals but I not only made it through this movie, but thoroughly enjoyed it.  Not only is the finesse of Gene Kelly something to see, but the talents of co-stars Leslie Caron and Oscar Levant are also something you should not miss. 

Film

John Travolta plays Danny Zuko, your stereotypical 50′s greaser, leather jacket and all. He leads a gang called The T-Birds who love nothing more than fast cars and girls. While on summer vacation Zuko meets the soft spoken Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton John), the couple share a romance over the course of the summer. When the summer ends Sandy is due to return to her native Australia and the two part ways. When Danny returns to Rydell High School he tells his friends about his “wild” summer vacation at the beach, meanwhile Sandy the new exchange student tells her story of an extremely romantic summer with a charmer. The two eventually become aware of each other’s presence in the school, but Danny tries to play things off as the cool guy, putting a seemingly un-reparable strain on the relationship. While it is obvious the two have feelings for each other they must dance around the typical high school melodrama all whilst their friends around them deal with their own issues and the pressures of the coming of age. Drag races, sexual exploration, love, song and dance all ensue in this classic musical.

Throughout the years I have taken scrutiny from peers and family alike for my love of this film, but let’s be honest nobody can beat Grease when it comes to musicals. In a genre that I have a genuine enjoyment for, I have yet to find a film that better combines plot with musical interludes and great choreography. The songs are extremely catchy and memorable; Grease, Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, and We Go Together just to name a few and the fact that the story progresses smoothly through the lyrics make them that much more enjoyable. Another thing that makes Grease so enjoyable is the era in which it is set, the slang, the cars, and the clothes of the 50′s are all a blast. To avoid continuing sounding like a kid in a candy shop I’ll focus a little more on the production elements. The story itself is rather interesting and its issues are still very relevant in this day and age. While teenage drama and issues seem to be one thing constant in a changing world; some of these issues include teenage pregnancy, rebellion, love, and gang violence.

For those of you out there who haven’t seen Grease I really recommend that you do, despite your preconceived notions or lack of expectations. I have forced the film upon several people who were genuinely opposed to watching it for various reasons who now join me in my love for it. In fact these very people have attended a stage production of Grease along with me.

Then there’s the nostalgia value, something I always hold near and dear. For those of you who grew up in the Grease era, there’s never been a better time to relive the memories.  Heck, it’s always fun to look back at celebrities in their youth, let’s face it John Travolta really rocked the role of Danny Zuko.

While it’s been over 30 years since Grease was released it still manages to find an audience amongst youth and original viewers alike. There’s a reason why this classic just won’t disappear into thin air, and if you have yet to watch it, I really suggest you do. I promise you’ll find something you like about it.

Video

Presented in 1080p 2.35:1 aspect ratio and encoded in MPEG-4 Grease strikes gold for its Blu-ray debut.  For a film full of color I was hoping this release would finally display the varied palette accurately.  Thankfully the color presentation displays some very realistic looking flesh tones while displaying an impressive vibrancy.

Detail although impressive for most of the film did have a few occasions where the picture looked soft.  Although it never approaches DVD standards, it still was a noticeable downgrade from the prominent sharp and detailed picture.  The print is immaculately cleaned up, with no visible dirt, artifacting or color banding to be seen throughout the entire movie.

Having seen this movie many times on DVD I can assure you that the upgrade here is a night and day difference.  If you love this movie then you owe it to yourself to experience Grease in all its high definition glory.

Audio

Paramount has included a 5.1 TrueHD track and although it does still sounds dated at times, the track cleans up a lot of the problems found on the original DVD release. First I must address the tracks shortcomings.  The track can sound “old” at times and by old I mean echoed and front heavy.  Dialogue tends to sound a bit muffled when not accompanied by music, although it’s by no means terrible.

The musical numbers are presented much better and thankfully this is a musical so there are very few long drawn out front heavy dialogue scenes.  Bass is a noticeable inclusion with the musical numbers and boy does it make a difference.  Blending well with the front and rear channels the sub adds a much needed layer to the track.

For a movie that relies on sound Grease does not disappoint.  Although the issues presented on the disc are near impossible to address, some may be a tad disappointed.  If you look past the blemishes however, there is a track here that will present the musical material very well.

Special Features

• Audio Commentary – Commentary by Director Randal Kleiser and dance Choreographer Patricia Birch

• Deleted Scenes – Along with an introduction by director Randal Kleiser these 11 deleted scenes provide very little to an already classic musical.

• Rydell Sing Along – This nifty little feature skips to each song in the movie.

• Featurettes – A set of 4 expansive featurettes covering everything from the films DVD launch in 2002 to the moves behind the music.  The 22 minute feature entitled The Time, The Place, The Motion is the show case extra as it covers the production and legacy of Grease.

• Interviews – A set of two 2-minute interview.  The first is between Olivia Newton John and Producer Allan Carr as they discuss Olivia’s musical influences.   The second interview is with John Travolta and Allan Carr as they discuss Travolta’s acting beginnings.

• Grease Memories from John and Olivia – A 3 minute interview with the duo from the 2003 DVD launch party.  Its short run time is an indicator on how little information this provides.  Although I must say, it was nice to see two together again talking about the Grease legacy.

• Photo Gallery

• Trailer

Final Thoughts

While it’s been 30 years since Grease was originally released the appeal still stands strong. With catchy tunes, flashy dance moves, and a good story it’s no wonder that Grease keeps reaching more and more fans. But a good movie doesn’t always get the treatment it deserves; we’ve seen our fair share of Blu-ray’s miss the mark. Fortunately that isn’t the case here, the video is spot on and although there was room for some minor improvements I really couldn’t ask for more. For film of its age the treatment it received truly is worthy of Blu-ray, and to boot the audio presentation was just as pleasing. Mix in some entertaining and informative features and we have ourselves a winner. If you’re into the film I highly recommend you go pick yourself up a copy, and if you’re still contemplating checking it out, what are you waiting for?

The film is set to the backdrop (not surprisingly) of the South Pacific during World War II, where Lt. Joseph Cable (John Kerr) arrives on a US occupied island. Cable is assigned to run a reconnaissance mission on the Japanese but begins to fall under the islands exotic trance and soon becomes fixated with Liat (France Nuyen). The two begin to blossom a romance whilst dealing with Cable’s impeding racism. In the films other storyline Nellie Forbush (Mitzi Brazzi) a Navy nurse, falls in love with a much older French plantation owner (Rossano Brazzi). The two see each other as a chance at true happiness that is until Nellie’s bigotry breaks things off.  Cutting edge for its time I’m sure, in regards to its dealing with social issues, but nonetheless predictable.

It seems as of late I have been real indecisive with gauging musicals. I can identify with how people regard it as a classic, but have a hard time relating to it. In this day and age the songs just aren’t as catchy, or flattering. So while I can say that I understand that South Pacific can relate to certain demographics, I can’t in good conscience recommend this disc to anyone other than people who already hold it near and dear.

Having laid that out there, I will note that some of the things I liked about the film were the beautiful locations, a refreshing mixture of comedy into the film (large in part thanks to Ray Walston), and an overall decent integration of plot advancement built into the musical numbers. But quickly erasing the positives are several things that left an unsavoury taste in my mouth.  First and foremost is the fact that most of the singing is dubbed which is a big deal to me for reasons I won’t get into right now. But regardless, having known this beforehand I could notice it at certain parts but only because I was watching for it intently. I’m sure to most people that won’t matter anyways, so why else would I recommend not checking it out? Well quite honestly, the story. I hardly doubt it was original back then, and it certainly isn’t now. Sure it’s cute and flattering at times, but I’ve seen it all before and usually with catchier numbers. But get real, how much times can we watch a love story about (or similar variations of) a small town girl falling in love with a mature foreigner in impossible circumstances. If that’s not enough reason for you to avoid checking out South Pacific; how about the fact that it’s over 2 ½ hours long? Not in a Braveheart way either, it tends to drag on, and the songs start to feel repetitive.

I say all that without trying to sound completely negative in my opinion of the movie, because I didn’t hate it. Like I said before, I can see the appeal in it; it’s just not for me. So if you want or trust my opinion, I wouldn’t bother checking out South Pacific.

Video

Presented in 1080p 2.20:1 aspect ratio and encoded in Mpeg-4 South Pacific hits Blu-ray with some stunning results.  Having seen Dr.No and The Robe‘s stunning Blu-ray transfers I was hopefully South Pacific would see similar results, luckily it did.  The color palette was definitely the first thing that popped off the screen and grabbed my attention; I was stunned of how crisp and clear each color looked.  The colors of South Pacific were nice and vibrant but more importantly they maintain a realistic look.

Equally as impressive was the extreme detail seen within each shot.  From clearly visible clothing wrinkles to the liver spots seen on the older officer’s hands, South Pacific displays a tremendous amount of detail.  The transfer itself is free of any artifacting but more impressive there are no dirt specs seen throughout playback.  Considering its age and what was achieved here I say South Pacific is worth purchasing on Video merit alone.

Audio

Fox has included a magnificent DTS-HD track with the release of South Pacific.  From pretty much beginning to end this music uses all channels, creating a truly impressive atmosphere.  Dialogue from the actors when they are not singing is also impressive; coming off with rather deep and not tinny.

As I mentioned earlier I was not a fan of music, but there is no denying that the quality of the track is top notch.  For fans who were not convinced by the perfect video presentation, the superb audio track should push you over.

Special Features

Fox really went all out on this release.  Not only are the video and audio transfers are near perfect, this two disc set is packed with special features.

• Audio Commentary – Commentary with Ted Chapin and Gereard Alessandrini.  The 2^nd disc also features a commentary with Richard Barrios.
• Sing Alone – A karaoke option with subtitles appearing on screen when a song is played.
• Songs Only Option – An option that plays only the songs.
• Extended Road Show Version of the Film (SD) – This is a 15 minute extended cut of the film.  Unfortunately viewers who prefer this version will not be treated to the high def splendour of the theatrical version received.
• The Making of South Pacific (HD) – At 14 minutes this black and white making features focuses on the films pre production, including set design and casting.
• Interview with James Michener (SD) – A 22 minute interview by Diana Sawyer with author James Michener.
• Stage Excerpts (SD) – As titled we are given a few scenes from the stage production of South Pacific. It was neat to see how the scenes from the movie were played out on stage.
• Fox Movietonews (SD)- A two piece features which covers the films New York and Belgium premiere.
• Mitizi Gaynor Screen Test (HD)
• Still Photos

Final Thoughts

For fans of South Pacific this is a no brainer, go out and pick up a copy on Blu-ray. The video transfer is flawless, bringing vibrant colors and beautiful backdrops to life. To compliment this superior 50 year old transfer is an audio track that nearly parallels the video. To top it all off is quite frankly one of the better set of features I’ve seen in recent releases. In all honesty, South Pacific is a must have for Fans. Now on the other hand, if you haven’t seen the film I’m going to have to recommend that you keep it that way. It just isn’t entertaining or entrancing enough to suggest anyone sit down and watch it.

Film 

Frankly, High school Musical 3 was better than I thought and at least as good as the original. The same cast of favorites from the first two films are present, Gabriella, Sharpay Troy, Trevor and Ryan along with some additions to the cast. This film finds them in their senior year dealing with more pressing issues such as going away to college and leaving the comfortable confines of high school, long time friends and embarking on the journey of life. It is often difficult at that age to have to make your own choices and follow your own path rather than the path set out for you by your parents or what you think you they will want you to do rather than what you think is best for you. In dealing with these issues, HSM3 is a little more mature than the first two. Yes, the same bouncy and rather formulaic and homogenous music that permeated the first two films is back here in spades, but the overall tone of the film is a tad deeper than the first making for a more enjoyable film. If you have middle school or teenaged kids as I do, you will no doubt be forced to watch this film. Don’t worry, you may even enjoy it.

Video 

HSM3 is encoded with AVC and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1:85:1. At first glance, there is a lot to like about this transfer. The film features and bright and bold color palette with colors that are well saturated and natural looking, especially skin tones, which are quite pleasing to the eye. Black levels are good as well although not as deep and inky as the best looking Blu-Ray encodes I have seen, resulting in an image of good although hardly reference level depth and three dimensionality. However, while this encode does has its high points, it also has one rather large failing and that is with detail. The image simply lacks the level of detail that one would expect from such a new film. In particular, the texture of the actors’ skin seems rather devoid of texture, blemishes and the like, looking a bit smoothed over. The same is true for distant shots which lack the clarity of the better looking Blu-Ray releases, looking a tad hazy in comparison. It would be great had this release included the best of all worlds, bright and bold colors, deep blacks, top notch detail and clarity but it is what it is.

Audio 

HSM3 includes a lossless audio track encoded with DTS HD Master Audio in a 5.1 channel configuration. As was the case with the video, the audio encode has a lot going for it. Effective use is made of the surround speakers which are very active during the film, especially during the many musical numbers, filling the room with a wall of sound. Bass response is good as well, giving the musical numbers a solid foundation. I thought the overall sound quality of the film to be fairly good with good imaging and a nice sense of transparency. However, where the encode and the sound mix in general came up short was in the area of fidelity, especially the dialogue track which was a bit thin and harsh for my tastes. When cranked up to reference levels, the sound led rather quickly to listener fatigue, lacking the richness and smoothness that I have characteristic of most other DTS HD Master audio tracks I have listened to. This is not the track that you will want to crank up, no matter what your kids may think.

Special Features 

As one would expect, HSM3 is chock full of extras. However, for me, the most significant extra is the DVD edition of the film included with the release. This gives you the option of being able to play the Blu-Ray addition at home enjoying the high def picture and sound, while being able to take the DVD on the road with you and playing it on any portable DVD player or laptop. This is a bonus as it will enable you to watch the film on a bigger sized screen than you would be able to with the digital copy that is also included that is compatible with both Macs and PCs. It will also enable you to share the film with friends and play it anywhere where a DVD player is available. I wish that all Blu-ray releases, or at least major titles, where released with a DVD copy, to encourage more consumers to purchase the Blu-ray title and help grow the format. One of the features that I really enjoyed with the late HD DVD format was the combo disc which had a DVD copy on one side that you could play in any DVD player. The approach taken by Disney here seems to be the Blu-ray answer to the combo disc. Hopefully, it will be one of an increasing number of releases to feature this extra feature.

The rest of the extras are rather mundane, including a feature on Senior Awards and new cast profiles. Also included is a feature on cast goodbyes, deleted scenes, bloopers and a sing along. The release is also BD-Live enabled which includes a bonus photo feature. I will admit that I am not a huge fan of extras in general and prefer to watch and enjoy the film and leave the extras until later. None of the extras presented here really grabbed me. Then again, I am not in high school. Your kids may feel differently. However, the inclusion of the bonus DVD ediition of the movie fully justifies the score that I have given the extras in and of itself. Hopefully, we will see more of the same on more future releases.

Final Thoughts 

While I enjoyed the film, my opinion may have been skewed by the fact that watched it with my high school aged children. I would recommend the film for any families that are familiar with the first two films and enjoyed them. The rest of you may want to consider renting the film first before purchasing.

Film 

Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) is East High School’s star basketball player, and the quintessential jock. Gabriella Montez is your atypical pretty math genius , and when the two meet at a ski lodge over Christmas Break the sparks fly. Coincidentally Gabriella’s mother is transferred to New Mexico, where she begins attending East High School.  At first the story plays off a bit like Grease, the are standoffish at first, too shy to express their feelings. Then there’s the typical falling out, while the two try out for the high school play the school becomes divided, choosing sides. The two are pressured to be apart while longing for each other, it seems all very dramatic… but it’s not. The song and dance aren’t entertaining and the storyline is predictable. I’ll give you one guess on how this one turns out.

If you haven’t heard of High School Musical, then chances are you’re living under a rock. If you have heard of it, then I hope you’re hiding under a rock. Compared to quality musicals or even quality Disney musicals that I was accustom to growing up, this is atrocious. Seriously, it’s utter garbage and I don’t know what kids and teenagers find so compelling about it. The music is a lot of things, but entertaining or talented isn’t one of them. Your initial reaction might be that I’m coming off a little harsh, but then chances are you haven’t watched it yet. I’ll give it to the cast, it isn’t easy singing and dancing, and there’s no doubt that given the horrible material they didn’t do half bad. But singing and dancing is one thing, acting is a whole other, and all I saw in High School Musical was a bunch of amateurs.

Okay, so I had to vent a little bit, but the fact is I absolutely disliked this film. I don’t see the appeal, but ultimately people for whatever reason like it. There has since been two sequels and countless amounts of merchandise sold to pre teens everywhere. So although I wouldn’t't have like this movie when I was younger, and I don’t like it now, I know kids out there will. Maybe it’s something they can relate too, the pressures of high school and different cliques, and ultimately the morale of the story is not all that bad. So unless you have young kids, or are one yourself, stay away from this movie at all costs.

Video 

Presented in 1080p 1.78:1 aspect ratio and encoded in MPEG4 Remix hits blu-ray with some gorgeous looking results.  All cast members were clearly chosen by their looks as every one of them looks great, even under the magnified glass we call high definition.  Detail was top notch, with every tiny detail clearly seen.  The print itself is in perfect condition with no color banding or dirt specs on the print.

Problems?  I did think the overall color presentation was enhanced, giving those flesh tones a bit too much of an orangey look. Considering this is one of Disney’s most popular series, was there really any doubt this picture would look bad?

Audio 

Disney has included a 5.1 PCM track with the release, sadly for anyone like me who can’t stand this movie; we are given a crystal clear audio presentation.  The musical numbers are extravagant and use all channels often and effectively.  Scenes that have no music just dialogue sound good, but comes off as a bit flat especially when compared to the lively music numbers.

If you are a fan of the music, then you will love the audio presentation here.

Special Features 

• Brining It All Together: The Making Of High School Musical – Not as comprehensive as some making of features, but an interesting view for fans of the movie.

• Learning the Moves – A progressive feature showing the rehearsal of the different choreographed scenes, and then the final product.

• The Hollywood Premier – Expectantly short, a glimpse at the premier of High School Musical.

• Sing Along With The Movie – Self explanatory karaoke like experience.

• Hot Music Videos – Videos of five different songs which include; I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, We’re All In This Together, Breaking Free Remix, We’re All In This Together Remix, and Eres Tu.

Final Thoughts 

This movie is worth the purchase only for fans, and with no exceptions. I would recommend everyone to stay away from this one. However, fans of High School Musical will be happy to read that the disc is worth the purchase. I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but Disney has put together another great disc, with impressive audio and video transfers sure to keep fans pleased. Along with that is a decent group of features that will keep you entertained beyond the movie. Well there you have it, High School Musical on Blu-ray is a great buy for fans, but not for anyone else.

The Film 

My first hearing of Repo! The Genetic Opera happened when I received the press release from Lionsgate.  It caught my attention mostly because it was marketed with the tagline “From the producers of Saw.”  Being a huge fan of the Saw horror franchise, I immediately sought out the trailer to Repo! The Genetic Opera. Upon my first viewing, I instantly took a liking to the movie.  I passed a link to the trailer on to my friend Erin and she gave her approval.  That was the only vote of confidence I needed as I proceeded to Amazon and pre-ordered my copy on just a whim.  Lucky again for me, my whim paid off as I am actually watching Repo! The Genetic Opera for a second time as I am writing this.

If you are like me and are wondering why you never heard of Repo! The Genetic Opera, let me put your mind at ease.  On November 7, 2008, the film opened up to a limited release on only seven screens in the United States and Canada.  Yep, you heard me right…only seven screens.  A twenty-two-song soundtrack was released on September 30, 2008 with an extended soundtrack supposedly in the works for a 2009 release date.  By the way, in case you have not guessed yet, Repo! The Genetic Opera is a rock opera-musical film.  The film, in my opinion, features a mix of some really good musical numbers with also some very forgettable ones too.  Here is a good stat for my readers to remember.  Repo! The Genetic Opera holds the record for the most songs ever composed into one film.  The total number of songs equals a whopping sixty-four!

Repo! The Genetic Opera was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman.  It is based on the play written and composed by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich.  The film’s cast includes the likes of Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino, Anthony Stewart Head, Sarah Brightman, everyone’s favorite hotel heiress Paris Hilton, Bill Moseley and even former rocker Joan Jett.  The film opened up to mostly negative reviews, but like most films of this genre, expect Repo! The Genetic Opera to have a huge cult following for years to come.  That much I can almost guarantee.

As the movie opens, we learn of a future where organ failures became an epidemic and organ transplants, made popular by GeneCo, have essentially become a way of life.  Viewers are immediately introduced to the passage of a bill legalizing organ repossession for those unable to keep up with the financial obligations of their surgeries.  Just like a bill collector in real life, the Repo Men who come in and repossess the organs of non-payers who fell on bad luck.  I think you get the idea here.  They rip the organ out of your still living and breathing body.   Well needless to say, majority of people don’t fair too well when organs are brutally ripped out from them.  Moral of the story, keep up with your payments or else.

Of course there is more to the story of this opera than the just the brutality elements mentioned above.  Let’s see…for starters we have a daughter named Shilo (Alexa Vega) suffering from a rare blood disease that her father (Anthony Stewart Head), secretly a Repo man himself, is working night and day to find a cure for to prevent her early departure from this world like what happened to his loving wife.  I personally found that Stewart’s performances and musical numbers to be the most captivating.  He seems really tuned into the character he is portraying.  The owner of GeneCo, Rotti Largo (Paul Sorvino), finds out he himself is terminally ill and no money or surgery is going to be able to save him from his ultimate demise.  Do you see the irony there?  He owns GeneCo, a company responsible for saving the human race from the epidemic of organ failures sweeping the world, and he cannot even save himself.  I guess I should also mention the constant bickering of Rotti’s three siblings Luigi Largo (Bill Moseley), Pavi Largo (Nivek Ogre) and Amber Sweet (Paris Hilton) over whom their father will entrust GeneCo to upon his departure from this world.  Oh poor Rotti.  Little does anyone know that he was once very much in love with Shilo’s mother and he ultimately formulized a plot to kill her and frame her father for the murder.  Now Rotti wants Shiloh to kill her father and take her rightful place as the heir to GeneCo.  Are you confused yet?  Hopefully you are not too baffled because I spared you numerous other subplots transpiring in the background.  Eventually with too many cooks in the kitchen, a final showdown transpires at the opera house for Rotti’s final performance.  Will Shiloh kill her father and become the heir to GeneCo?  Will Rotti exit this world a happy man?  What will ever become of the endless bickering between Rotti’s three siblings?  Most importantly…just how good is Miss Paris Hilton as an actress/singer in this film?  If these are questions you need answered, then you need to embark upon the 97-minute journey known as Repo! The Genetic Opera.

Video 

The video of Repo! The Genetic Opera is like a mixed bag of colored M&Ms, some colors may look pleasant to the eye where some don’t.  That’s enough small talk about the candy.  I am getting hungry now.   Lionsgate provides a 1080P VC-1 encode framed in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio.  Initially, upon first viewing, the film has a very low budget look to it.  However, the print is pristine and clear with no white or black speckles of noise.  The blacks are solid, but some shots scream bloody grain.  The film just has a very soft feel to it, yet artistic at the same time.  I truly believe the Blu-ray to be a faithful reproduction of the director’s intent, just not the most sharp or three-dimensional eye-popping of today’s Blu-ray releases we have come to expect.  I compare it to the likes of a video game.  I am usually pretty harsh on graphics.  If they are rendered lousy I tend to stay away.  However, wise man once said, if the video game is fun and exciting, then the graphics should come second.  The same principle relates here with the Blu-ray presentation of Repo! The Genetic Opera.  This film is way too difficult to grade honestly because of the stylized look it is trying to achieve.  My only final complaint with the video was the aliasing that was very noticeable in the comic book scene panels.

Audio 

In the audio department, Lionsgate delivers a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround experience.  Obviously, there are very few of us who actually have the luxury of a 7.1 surround setup, but that does not mean you cannot enjoy the beauty of this included lossless audio track.  Much like the video presentation, after subsequent viewings of Repo! The Genetic Opera, I was able to appreciate the little nuisances in the audio track more and more each time.  I guess my only criticism is that for a musical, the volume can come off seeming a bit on the low side, with a flat presentation lacking in dynamics you would come to expect from watching a rich, bright musical.  Let’s face it though.  Repo! The Genetic Opera does not fit the bill here.  It is not a bright musical, but rather a very dark and ominous one.  That is why I mention it takes a couple viewings to truly appreciate this rock opera for what it really is.  What is that you may ask?  Well I am afraid the answer to that is as complex as the mixed-colored bag of M&Ms analogy I mentioned above.  I think every viewer is going to take something different away from his or her screening of this film.  Whoa!  I really went off topic here.  The low audio mix reminds me very much of the Sweeney Todd Blu-ray release.  If you can find that track tolerable, then you will have no problems here.  I do want to compliment the surround mix here.  The motion effects buzzing all around you keep you immersed at all times within the action that’s taking place on center stage…your television set of course.

Special Features 

For the fans of Repo! The Genetic Opera, Lionsgate has provided a collection of bonus materials that are fun and interactive.  To my liking, most of the special features listed below are in High-Definition.  That’s always a serious plus in my consideration.  I wasted enough of your time babbling above, so what do you say we dissect this bad boy and show you from the inside what special features you can expect from this Blu-ray release?

• Video Sing-Alongs (VC-1 HD) – In my opinion, these are the best bonus materials to be found here.  A bouncing red heart (instead of the usual white ball) jumps across the screen over the lyrics to “Legal Assassin,” “Zydrate Anatomy,” “Chase the Morning” and “We Started This Opera S*#t.”
• Featurettes (HD) – The following short featurettes and webisodes appear in this order below.
  • From Stage to Screen
  • Legal Assassin: A Repo Man on the Edge
  • Zydrate Anatomy Amber Sweet: Addicted to the Knife
  • Chase the Morning Blind Mag: The Voice of GeneCo
  • GeneCo Poster Galler
• Audio Commentary – There are two audio commentary tracks included on this Blu-ray release.  The first track features commentary by director Darren Lynn Bousman and actors Bill Moseley, Alexa Vega and Ogre.  The second commentary track features director Darren Lynn Bousman, co-creators Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich and music producer Joseph Bishara.
• Select Scene Commentary – The following select scenes contain commentary by Paris Hilton and director Darren Lynn Bousman.  Those select scenes are “Zydrate Anatomy,” “Blame Not My Cheeks,” “Happiness is Not a Warm Scalpel” and “Who Ordered Pizza.”
• Deleted Scenes (SD) – The following deleted scenes contain optional commentary from Paris Hilton and director Darren Lynn Bousman.  The deleted scenes in question here are “Come Up and Try My New Parts,” “Needle Through a Bug,” “Buon Giordo” and “Grave Robber and Shilo Escape.”
• Theatrical Trailer (HD) – This is pretty self-explanatory isn’t it?

Final Thoughts 

Although I am on my third viewing of Repo! The Genetic Opera, I do not recommend this movie to everyone.  Be warned, there are some very gory moments.  If you don’t mind these and enjoy exploring deep subject material such as materialism and death, then I think you have a winner in Repo! The Genetic Opera.  There are some really good songs to be found here and a few not so memorable ones.  The Blu-ray release features a pristine 1080P print, a rocking 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround track and a wealth of extras to keep hardcore fans singing along.  I am recommending this film as a rental first before a purchase, because after all, not everyone has the same sick taste in movies as I do.  For the fans lucky enough to know what they are getting into, then you already know you can’t find a better looking Repo! The Genetic Opera presentation than this Blu-ray release.  “Everybody…Everybody…Testify!”

I hope you enjoyed my review of Lionsgate’s Repo! The Genetic Opera Blu-ray release.  Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.  I look forward to receiving any feedback from my readers.

Repo! The Genetic Opera was released on Blu-ray January 20, 2009.  If you like what you read in the review above, then please show your support for our site by clicking the shopping cart link above to order and save with Amazon’s Everyday Lowest Price Guarantee.  Thanks!