Life (LD/DVD) Released By:
Universal Home Video/Laser Disc distributed by Pioneer EntertainmentFeatures:
Laser Disc: 1999; 109 Min; Rated R; Digital Tracks: Dolby Surround English; Analog Tracks: Left - Mono, Right - Dolby Digital 5.1 English; Widescreen (1.85).DVD: 1999; 109 Min; Rated R; Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Dolby Surround French; Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85).
Extras:
LD: Nothing.DVD: Audio Commentary by Director Ted Demme; Spotlight on Location featurette; Outtakes; Director's Edits; Cast and Crew Biographies; Trailers; DVD-ROM Features.
Review:
Eddie Murphy is one of funniest comics of his generation, but recently his films have been somewhat hit and miss. In his latest outing, he teams up with Martin Lawrence for a second time. Their previous outing, Boomerang, was more of an ensemble piece, but this film is just about the two of them, and their experiences in a southern prison.Eddie Murphy is con man Ray Gibson. Martin Lawrence is the straight laced Claude Banks. After Murphy gets Lawrence in trouble with some of his friends, the two go off on a moonshine run to earn some quick cash to pay off their debt. The two lose all of their money, and are set up by a crooked cop, for a murder they didn't commit. They are sent up the river by a judge in Mississippi for life.
While this film is billed as a straight up comedy, it's also a bit of a drama, which may turn off some people. The story is set over a period of sixty years, starting in the mid-twenties. Murphy has brought back make-up man Rick Baker to assist with the aging process, and as is typical of his work, it's completely believable.
The film is slow during the first twenty minutes, but stick with it. Once Murphy and Lawrence have been established in their surroundings the movie gets moving. It's not the best work I've seen these two do, but it passable for light entertainment.
Universal's LD and DVD are basically the same when it comes to the feature's presentation. The LD's transfer is a little softer than the DVD, but only marginally. The colors are more vibrant and stable on the DVD when using the component output from my Pioneer Elite DVL-91 combo player. The Dolby Digital mix is not one of the most aggressive I've heard. It has been reserved mostly for the music and some minor surround effects. The difference between the LD and DVD 5.1 is indistinguishable.
Where Universal fails with the laser disc is the extras. There aren't any. While the DVD has a commentary, outtakes, trailer and the like, the LD has nothing. Universal could have at least put the audio commentary on the remaining analog track. It's not likely anyone with a laserdisc player has an old analog only unit at this juncture. Pure laziness.
Is this title worth purchasing? If your an Eddie Murphy/Martin Lawrence fan, it's probably worth putting into your collection. Honestly, since the LD and the DVD are the same price, the DVD's the better bargain. If your looking for something to watch on a Saturday night, your shouldn't overlook this disc for rental.
Life is a decent Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence vehicle, but they've both done better work with other actors. It fairly average so I'll give it a 5 for actual film.
When it comes to the overall presentation, the DVD blows away the LD. The laser is your basic, bare-bones release, only worthy of a 5 rating. While the DVD features a lot more content than the LD, on a comparison to other SE's it worth a 6.5, but receives a bonus biscuit for some extra trailer included on the disc.
Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
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