Movie:
Ryder, P.I., originally released in 1986, was directed by Karl Hosch and Chuck Walker. Both shared the writing credit with Dave Hawthorne and Bob Nelson, who starred in the film as well (as Sky Ryder and Eppie, respectively). Also appearing in the film are Francis Raines (Valerie), Howard Stern (Ben Wah), and quite a few other New York based comedians.

After botching his last few investigative assignments, Sky Ryder is given one last chance. He's been following Mrs. Feldstein for over a year, as her husband suspects her of cheating, and now that the husband is again out of town, the boss wants the case closed. And so he won't screw this one up, his boss assigns Eppie, the office idiot, to help him. However, things are made more complicated when they manage to save a woman named Valerie from a gang of bikers, and having no place to go, Ryder takes her in. However, the bikers weren't the only ones looking for her: also trying to capture her is Miguel Diaz, the head of a large cocaine syndicate. Now with two groups of people after them, can Ryder and Eppie manage to keep her safe?

I had never heard of Ryder, P.I. before viewing it, so I wasn't sure what to expect. And though the movie on the whole is a bit cheesy, there are actually a surprising amount of laughs to be had while watching it. The two leads do a decent job of bumbling through the movie and Howard Stern even got a few laughs as newscaster Ben Wah.

Picture:
Ryder, P.I. is presented in 1.85:1 non-anamorphic widescreen. The transfer looks a bit soft throughout with a fair amount of visible film grain. Print defects include marks, specks, scratches, and cigarette burns. Colors throughout are mainly accurate, though at times, at muted by the soft transfer. Flesh tones are mostly natural, though at times appear either too orange to slightly too pale. Blacks are light throughout.

Sound:
Ryder, P.I. is presented in Dolby 2.0 Mono. Dialogue throughout the film is clean and easy to understand. There is some distortion in the background during Ben Wah's newscasts, however. There are no optional subtitles or captions.

Extras:
Extras include the film's trailer and almost twenty minutes of outtakes. The outtakes almost entirely focus on Howard Stern, who is barely in the film. The rest of the outtakes focus on Leroy the computer.

Summary:
Though the film is a decent comedy, the presentation is rather disappointing. Fans of the comedians involved in the film, as well as those interested should give the film a look, but I recommend renting before buying. Rent it.