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Spaceballs
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
It's been at least 10 years since I've seen "Spaceballs" last, and I really didn't remember exactly how funny it is. Almost a classic of screwball comedy, Mel Brook's comedy is remarkably hilarious with a number of wonderful scenes. The story revolves around the evil Dark Helmet trying to steal the air from the little planet of Druidia.
Bill Pullman of "Independence Day" plays Lone Star, a jockey pilot who is, of course, meant to be similar to Star Wars's Han Solo. John Candy is very funny as Barf, a "mog"(half man/half dog) and Rick Moranis has his best role as Dark Helmet, the villian who has nothing go right for him (sort of an early Dr. Evil from "Austin Powers").
Although it's more than a little silly and a bit sloppy, the bits come at a rate of one every couple minutes. After I hadn't seen this film for about 10 years, I found it extremely funny while watching this DVD edition, and I laughed often.
The DVD
VIDEO: Unfortunately, MGM has decided to offer a non-anamorphic transfer taken from the materials used for the laserdisc edition. Fortunately, it doesn't look that bad. The picture is a little soft at times, but sharpness generally is adequate and above my expectations from a film this old. Colors are fine, but aren't terribly strong or vibrant. There aren't many flaws at all to be found - the print used is in very good condition, with only one or two marks. Shimmering and pixelation also don't make an appearance. The only fault is really that the picture is occasionally a little soft looking.
Certainly, this could have been a better presentation had it been anamorphic, but for a non-anamorphic effort of a 13 year old movie, it's certainly watchable.
SOUND: Although the picture quality was just adequate, the sound quality is suprisingly good. Surrounds are used often and fairly agressively on occasion. There's also some solid bass, at times. It's nothing that's going to make the neighbors angry, but it's really an entertaining soundtrack with a great sounding score. The sound designer for this film was Gary Rydstrom, the famous sound designer for films such as "Saving Private Ryan", "A Bug's Life" and "Jurassic Park".
MENUS:: The menus are fantastic! A computer interface is the main menu, with an announcement saying "these are the Spaceballs DVD menus" and other little bits of animation when you make a selection. Totally gets the mood of the movie right and is very funny, as well.
EXTRAS: Extras include the theatrical trailer and a commentary by Mel Brooks. The Brooks commentary is really one of the worst I've ever heard, and it achieves an almost unintentionally hilarious level. Like many of my college teachers do in their lectures, Brooks goes from subject to subject, and rambles on without ever getting to much of a point. He follows a thought for about 5 seconds before moving on without warning to something new. I could barely stand listen to it for the entire length. He even admits at one point that he's rambling. A short featurette is also included.
Final Thoughts: A great movie, but MGM could have put together a stronger DVD.
It's been at least 10 years since I've seen "Spaceballs" last, and I really didn't remember exactly how funny it is. Almost a classic of screwball comedy, Mel Brook's comedy is remarkably hilarious with a number of wonderful scenes. The story revolves around the evil Dark Helmet trying to steal the air from the little planet of Druidia.
Bill Pullman of "Independence Day" plays Lone Star, a jockey pilot who is, of course, meant to be similar to Star Wars's Han Solo. John Candy is very funny as Barf, a "mog"(half man/half dog) and Rick Moranis has his best role as Dark Helmet, the villian who has nothing go right for him (sort of an early Dr. Evil from "Austin Powers").
Although it's more than a little silly and a bit sloppy, the bits come at a rate of one every couple minutes. After I hadn't seen this film for about 10 years, I found it extremely funny while watching this DVD edition, and I laughed often.
The DVD
VIDEO: Unfortunately, MGM has decided to offer a non-anamorphic transfer taken from the materials used for the laserdisc edition. Fortunately, it doesn't look that bad. The picture is a little soft at times, but sharpness generally is adequate and above my expectations from a film this old. Colors are fine, but aren't terribly strong or vibrant. There aren't many flaws at all to be found - the print used is in very good condition, with only one or two marks. Shimmering and pixelation also don't make an appearance. The only fault is really that the picture is occasionally a little soft looking.
Certainly, this could have been a better presentation had it been anamorphic, but for a non-anamorphic effort of a 13 year old movie, it's certainly watchable.
SOUND: Although the picture quality was just adequate, the sound quality is suprisingly good. Surrounds are used often and fairly agressively on occasion. There's also some solid bass, at times. It's nothing that's going to make the neighbors angry, but it's really an entertaining soundtrack with a great sounding score. The sound designer for this film was Gary Rydstrom, the famous sound designer for films such as "Saving Private Ryan", "A Bug's Life" and "Jurassic Park".
MENUS:: The menus are fantastic! A computer interface is the main menu, with an announcement saying "these are the Spaceballs DVD menus" and other little bits of animation when you make a selection. Totally gets the mood of the movie right and is very funny, as well.
EXTRAS: Extras include the theatrical trailer and a commentary by Mel Brooks. The Brooks commentary is really one of the worst I've ever heard, and it achieves an almost unintentionally hilarious level. Like many of my college teachers do in their lectures, Brooks goes from subject to subject, and rambles on without ever getting to much of a point. He follows a thought for about 5 seconds before moving on without warning to something new. I could barely stand listen to it for the entire length. He even admits at one point that he's rambling. A short featurette is also included.
Final Thoughts: A great movie, but MGM could have put together a stronger DVD.
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