The Rocky Horror Picture Show – 35th
Anniversary Edition (1975/Fox
Blu-ray/Review #2)
Picture:
B Sound: B+ Extras: A- Film: A
You would
be hard pressed to find a town in the USA that is not running The Rocky Horror Picture Show on the
big screen or hosting a stage production during the Fall/Halloween Season. In fact many places (especially in California) host Rocky Horror events all year long. The film that could barely get released in
theaters in the 1970’s has evolved into a cult classic phenomenon; most likely
the biggest cult classic ever (is that an oxymoron?). I suppose that Rocky Horror has gone somewhat main stream as each generation finds
itself embracing the classic Richard O’Brien musical more and more. When it hit theaters in the 1975 most people
didn’t even notice, but now we see hit television series like that of Glee giving their own rendition of the
film. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a personal favorite of this
reviewer and I have only learned to love it more with time and age.
So the
synopsis of the film goes something like this; Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet
(Susan Sarandon) have just recently become engaged and head to tell their
college confidant, Dr. Everett Scott (Jonathan Adams). For lack of better words Brad and Janet are
cast as the ultimate straight arrow couple.
While traveling to Dr. Scott, Brad and Janet get a flat tire in rain
storm and are forced to take cover in a nearby mansion, owned by the
“eccentric” Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry).
The couple is ushered into the house by Frank-N-Furter’s “faithful
servant” Riff Raff (Richard O’Brien; the writer/director) and maid Magenta
(Patricia Quinn). Not before long the
debauchery takes off and full force as Brad and Janet stumble into a “lively”
party, are stripped down the their skivvies, and soon meet Dr. Frank-N-Furter
face to face. We soon learn that the
house is more run by lust, sex, and jealousy than anything else. Frank has been making himself the perfect man
in a lab and with the reveal there are hard feelings all around and the events
just get odder as we are introduced to Frank’s old fling Eddie (Meatloaf). The happenings at the mansion seem to get
more and more out of control up until the climatic stage show ending.
On top of
the insanely creative (I stress the insane part) storyline the film is a full
out musical and a good musical at that.
The songs are well written both in lyrics and musical approach; mixing a
variety of styles to make one cohesive production. The viewer will soon find themselves addicted
to the songs and singing along; hence why theater goers often over shadow the
films dialogue with outbursts of singing and chants (not to mention toast and
other projectiles).
There is
a certain element of fun, lunacy, and creativity that not many films can
accomplish successfully, but Rocky
Horror has managed to pull audiences in for over three decades with its
off-center, yet charismatic music and story.
The film is still amazing and will go down as an all time classic.
This
Blu-ray release includes both US and UK releases of the film. The picture is presented in a 1080p 1.66 X 1
Widescreen that looks better than ever.
The 25th Anniversary
Edition DVD was nicely restored, but it does not compare to this 35th Anniversary Blu-ray. The palate of colors is amazingly presented
in vivid reds, blues, greens and every color in between; not to mention the
stunningly inky blacks. There are many
scenes that are soft, but can be mainly attributed to the low-budget nature of
the film and older style filming techniques.
There is the occasional bit of grit and grime, but overall I felt the
image was crisp, clean, and clear. The
sound is better than the picture (which is great for this musical) in its 7.1
DTS-HD Master Audio format. The sound is
immersive with crisp dialogue and once a song hits the stage the viewer is
suddenly surrounded by sound. The
technicals aren’t exactly perfect, but they are amazing for the age of this
film and the best it has ever looked/sounded.
Most of
the extras are ported over from previous releases, but some are new. Extras include the following:
The
Midnight Experience: Late Night, Double Feature, Picture-in-Picture Show*,
Vintage Callback Track (Unrated), Prop Box, Trivia Track
BD-Live:
Live Lookup; Powered by IMDB
Roky-oke:
Sing It
The
Search for the 35th Anniversary Shadowcast: Don’t Dream It, Be It
(Part I) and An-tic-i-pation (Part II)
Mick Rock
(A Photographer)
Mick
Rock’s Picture Show (A Gallery)
Pressbook
and Poster Gallery
Audio
Commentary by Richard O’Brien and Patricia Quinn
Deleted
Musical Scenes and Outtakes
Alternate
B&W Opening
Alternate
Credit Ending and Misprint Ending
Rocky
Horror Double Feature Video Show
Beacon Theater, New York City
“Time
Warp” Music Video
For
another look at the film on Blu-ray, try this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/10557/The+Rocky+Horror+Picture+Show:+3
- Michael P. Dougherty II
