Holiday DVD Review Round-Up Part 1
Soon it's that time again...time to re-gift Uncle Ned's butt-ugly sweater and break out the egg nog. We're in a tight economy but a DVD makes a nice, not overly-expensive gift for holiday giving and at home enjoying. We checked out a wide variety of DVDs out now or out soon. In Part One of our report, scope out our take on everything from action/fantasy to adorable animation and spy or action comedies....
From Warner Brothers Home Entertainment
Get Smart: Two-Disc Special Edition
Based on the popular 1960's TV show, Get Smart centers on Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) who gets tired of his desk job as an analyst for government agency CONTROL and opts for a job in the field. Max wants to be like super agent 23 (Dwayne, the Rock Johnson) and gets his chance when an attack on HQ leaves Max one of the only agents still standing. Paired with hot agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), Max fights evil agency KAOS to bust.. what else? A world-dominating plot!
Special Features: On disc one, we have "Smart Takes", containing alternate or deleted scenes with an intro by Steve Carell telling you to hit enter when you see an icon. You have to watch these scenes during the movie as far as I could tell or you can try the Title menu. These are entertaining and funny but all are really short and run about 25 minutes all together.
On the second disc we have "The Right Agent For the Right Job" featuring producers, director and stars Steve, Anne and Dwayne. This concentrates on the actors, performances and what is up in a scene all presented in a joking tone. There is some audition or test footage of Steve and Anne. Cute. "Max in Moscow!" is more with the producers and actors on the shoot in Russia. A behind-the-scenes piece that is interesting and fun. In "Language Lessons" we have Steve "selling" the movie in a lot of different languages. Carell is great at this and it's short but funny.
The "Spy Confidential: Gag Reel" is pretty funny and full of boo boos, ad-libs etc. Steve's improv shines. I thought this was really quite hilarious as blooper reels go. You get a look at the parallel feature Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd: Out of Control as well.
Wrapping Up: "Smart" is a fun, escapist popcorn flick. Steve Carell does a great job as the wanna-be superspy and Anne Hathaway is hot, funny and kicks butt as 99. Extras aren't all that "new" or revealing but many are funny. Well worth gifting for older fans of the TV show, comic or spy movie buffs and Anne and Steve or Dwayne Johnson fans! Or hey, just buy it for your collection.
From Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Narnia: Prince Caspian 3-Disc Collector's Edition
This film; the second in the Narnia chronicles, takes the Pevensie kids back to Narnia where it's hundreds of years later and evil tyrant Miraz is trying to take over the throne from the rightful heir Prince Caspian who unknowingly summons the Pevensies to his aid. Narnia is in ruins and the magical creatures are few in number and in hiding. It's up to our heroes (who are High Kings and Queens here in Narnia) to rescue Caspian and help him regain the throne.
Special Features: On disc one we have the "Audio Commentary With Director Andrew Adamson and Actors" This includes the five young stars of the movie. Not boring and kind of candid with everyone having a great time, laughing and putting in their two cents. Really more entertaining than some.
On Disc 2 we have some longish featurettes starting with "Inside Narnia: The Adventure Returns" which is a behind-the-scenes piece with interesting info on the director's plans for the film and a lot of cute and funny exchanges, dances and silly fun with the actors on and off set. Very enjoyable! "Sets of Narnia: A Classic Comes to Life" is a more in-depth look at the creation of the ruined Narnia. You see lots of artwork and frame grabs comparing the book art to the final film. Beautiful and cool.
In "Big Movie Comes to a Small Town" you see how the filmmakers worked on location and with the townsfolk of Bovec. A nice warm and fuzzy feeling here. "Previsualizing Narnia" shows how the filmmakers use location shots, and computer animation to give them an idea of how scenes will turn out. This is the modern version of the story-board and it's fun to check out. "Talking Animals and Walking Trees: The Magical World of Narnia: Is short but sweet as it explores animating the various flora and fauna. Interesting and.. awww cute.
In "Secrets of the Duel" between Peter and Miraz, you see briefly how one of the intense swordfights in the film was choreographed and put together. Swashbuckling fun. "Becoming Trumpkin" and "Warwick Davis: The Man Behind Nikabrik" focus on the make-up and prosthetics used to turn these actors into their colorful characters. Who doesn't like make-up?
There are a few "Deleted Scenes" which are the usual, not-really-needed lot but interesting. However, a flirty scene between Susan and Caspian over an archery challenge is a nice addition. "Bloopers" are always a laugh and the Narnian variety are no exception with lots of falling down, actors looking silly in green screen tights, Will and Skandar doing a Saturday Night Fever dance etc. Finally, you also a third disc with a digital copy of the movie for iPod or computer.
Wrapping Up: This second in the Narnia film series is darker and, in several ways, more adult than the first film. Older teens as well as adults can get into the battle action and girls, even with that pseudo-Spanish accent, Ben Barnes is pretty durn hot! Will Moseley as Peter is also quite adorable. Extras on the DVD are entertaining and informative and I'd say this is a definite gift choice for Narnia fans, Ben or Will fans and it will work for anyone who enjoys sweeping fantasy adventures.
(Note: Check out our exclusive interviews with Ben Barnes and Will Moseley!!)
From DreamWorks Home Entertainment
Tropic Thunder: 2-Disc Director's Cut
This hilarious actioner, directed by Ben Stiller who co-stars, is the story of the cast of a war film that don't seem to get that they are suddenly in actual combat with a Vietnamese drug lord! We've got Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) whose action career is on the downside, Jack Portnoy (Jack Black) who is trying to break out of his typecasting as a fart-joke comic actor and Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) as an extreme method actor who even has his skin color altered to play a black guy. These weirdo/losers are supported by "soldiers" rapper Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), Jay Baruchel and war consultant "Four Leaf" Tayback (Nick Nolte). Will a movie actually get shot? Will these guys all get shot? Back in Hollywood, trying to kick butt, please clients and keep the film going is a disguised Tom Cruise!
Special Features: This DVD contains the 13 minute-longer director's cut of the film and not the original. There is an early party scene that helps us get to know the actor/characters and it's darn funny. Hey, what's wrong with 13 more minutes of hilarity? On Disc One you get two audio commentaries; The "Filmmaker" one has Stiller, producers and crew department heads but Ben does most of the talking and he compares this version to the theatrical release as you get location tidbits and more tech info. Interesting.
A second commentary "Cast", gives you the big three: Stiller, Black and Downey Jr. all commenting on the film. Downey is in character the whole time which can be hilarious or just annoying... you decide. Pretty crazy exchange all around and very worth the listen although it might have been more informative if Downey had come as himself.
Disc Two is full of featurettes and they are all very entertaining! "Beyond the Thunder" contains interviews on-set footage and a backstory and overview of the film. Nice intro. "The Hot LZ," focuses on an opening battle and really gets into Stiller's action as director. "Blowing S#!t Up," hones in on the many explosions in the movie and is.. well, a bang up feature. "Designing the Thunder," explores the set and production design and "The Cast of Tropic Thunder" puts the actors center stage and they are funny and entertaining.
As a tribute/send up of the classic Apocalypse Now, the 30 minute "Rain of Madness" follows a fake documentarian supposedly covering the production. It's also a parody of the Coppola film Hearts of Darkness and is pretty hilarious. "Dispatches from the Edge of Madness," is more of the mockumentary. I found all of these to be well-crafted, mostly a laugh riot and something we don't see often as a special feature.
You get "Deleted and Extended Scenes" and some are better than others. You can see why some of this needed to be cut out but more with these fun actors can't be all bad. "Full Mags," is full of improv from the actors in four scenes.. some is great, some.. not so much. A short bunch of "Video Rehearsals" were done for tech reasons..like where do we place the cameras? etc. and you see how they came out in the actual film. Interesting.
You get the little treat of seeing Tom Cruise in a make-up test for the movie and I was really glad to see the DVD folks included Stiller, Black and Downey Jr. in their "MTV Movie Awards" appearance to push the film since my TIVO wasn't working that night. This is sooooo funny!
Wrapping Up: Tropic Thunder proved that Ben Stiller is quite a director; the comedy and performances are great and the action is fantastic. I couldn't stop laughing. It's quite a crude film so not for the younger bros and sisters. The extras on the DVD are first rate and unique. They really add to your enjoyment of the movie. Fans of any of the actors will love this entertaining comedy/actioner that will please both war movie and comedy buffs on your list.
Two Pack: Kung Fu Panda and Secrets of the Furious Five
Two animated movies in a fun two-pack! More Jack Black! this time as Po, an adorable rolley-polley panda who works in his dad's noodle restaurant but dreams of being a martial arts superhero like his icons The Furious Five: Tiger (Angelina Jolie, Wanted), Monkey (Jackie Chan, Forbidden Kingdom), Mantis (Seth Rogen, 40 Year Old Virgin), Crane (David Cross, Men in Black), and Viper (Lucy Liu, Kill Bill). Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) is a tiny red panda who guides Po on his journey. Grand Master OOgway, a tortoise, accidentally picks Po as the Dragon Warrior and he's thrilled and scared to death as he learns to fight the bad guys and saves his village.
Special Features: "Mr. Ping's Noodle House", a tie in to Po and Dad's cafe, is a short featurette that takes us to Mr. Chow's noodle cafe to show us how these Chinese noodles are actually made. Who knew? Interesting and hunger-inducing. "How to Use Chopsticks" will please young and older viewers and teach you how to properly use the little sticks and that it's okay to pick up the bowl to rake rice into your face. Cute.
Very worthy for all to watch is Conservation International's "How to Save Wild Pandas" in which Jack Black talks about how hard it is for pandas in the wild with the disappearing bamboo forests and stresses protection for these adorable creatures. Very short but loved it. A "Directors' Commentary with Jim Stevenson and Mark Osborne" is more aimed at older teens and adults as they talk about the look of the film, it's themes and symbols etc. Not a laugh riot but informational. "Meet the Cast" is very cool as it brings the voice actors to a soundstage to talk about recording their voices and what their characters mean to them. You get Jack and Dustin Hoffman and some of each of the Furious Five. Enjoyed it.
In "Pushing the Boundaries" we explore the tech side of making the film as animators talk about animation advances made in the movie and how each character was rendered and made to move either gracefully, or in the case of Po, kinda bumbling but eventually lethal. Very cute. A "Sound Design" featurette concentrates on the fight sounds and everything from Po's wiggly stomach sound to martial art swooshes, whams and blooeys. Very fun to watch to see how these sounds were made.
You get a funny and danceable "Kung Fu Fighting" Music Video, a "Dragon Warrior Training Academy" interactive game, a few raw animation scenes and "DreamWorks Animation Video JukeBox" with music videos from some of the studio's other films.
Secrets of the Furious Five (Disc 2):
In this short 20-plus minute continuing story, DreamWorks animators give us more Po as he starts teaching martial arts to a class of bunnies! Po starts with the backstories of each member of the Furious Five; revealing that each of them lacked certain heroic or skill qualities that they had to learn. These backstories are told with charming hand-drawn animation and are very watchable.
Special Features: Divided into two sections: "Po's Power Play" and "Land of the Panda" provide activities that will probably please teens for a one-time run-through but appeal more to younger siblings. But, hey, if you want to learn to draw the main characters, as I did, you might enjoy "Learn to Draw". A "Dumpling Shuffle" game challenges you to track what's under which cup and you can put the disc in the computer to check out a "Pandamonium Activity Kit".
In "Land of the Panda" you can "Learn the Panda Dance" and bust a Po move. Cute. "Do You Know Kung Fu" is a fun feature and "Animals of Kung Fu" discusses the natures of the real animals in the movie and where they live in China. You can find out what fighter you match in "What Fighting Style Are You?" a question game. I enjoyed "Inside the Chinese Zodiac" feature that talks about your Chinese Zodiac sign...uh, if you were born later than 1995. Us oldies had to do some math to see if we were a Pig or a Mantis or a...whatever. Cute for at least a look through on all counts.
Wrapping Up: The colorful and gorgeous animation in Kung Fu Panda is worth the watch alone and hilarious Jack Black as Po will win your heart. The martial arts moves are copied from the real thing and will entertain action buffs. You'll love the comedy and also the message that believing in yourself can make your dreams come true. All the voice actors are perfect for their characters and the Special Features are very entertaining. When you add on the cute "Furious Five" Bonus DVD in this two-fer, you can't go wrong giving this DVD pack to loved-ones of all ages on your lists. It's quite a warm and fuzzy deal!
