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Category:    Home > Reviews > Fantasy > Comedy > Adventure > Legend > Drama > Relationships > Cable TV > Slapstick > Adventures Of Baron Munchausen 4K (1988/Sony/Columbia/Criterion 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)/And Just Like That: The Complete First Season (2022/HBO/Warner DVD Set)/Ticket To Paradise (2022/Universa

Adventures Of Baron Munchausen 4K (1988/Sony/Columbia/Criterion 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)/And Just Like That: The Complete First Season (2022/HBO/Warner DVD Set)/Ticket To Paradise (2022/Universal Blu-ray w/DVD)



4K Ultra HD Picture: A- Picture: B/C+/B & C+ Sound: B/C+/B & C+ Extras: B/D/C Main Programs: B-/C+/C+



Here are three major name releases that include comedy and more...



We start with Terry Gilliam's The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen 4K (1988,) which is at least a minor classic in the Fantasy film genre, from how well it has aged to how many such film that followed (like The Hobbit Trilogy) just do not work or hold up that well. Here is a review of the 20th Anniversary Blu-ray edition from another one of our writers who loves the film at this link:


http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6869/The+Adventures+of+Baron+Munchausen


Now, we have The Criterion Collection picking it up and issuing it in 4K and with the 4K especially being impressive, it is now the only way to see the film outside of a mint-condition 35mm or 70mm film print. No doubt John Neville is outstanding in the title role or supporting turns by Oliver Reed, Eric Idle, Jack Purvis, Uma Thurman, Ray Cooper, Sting (in one of the few good films he has been able to get into,) Sarah Polley, Jonathan Pryce, Robin Williams and one of my personal favorites, Peter Jeffrey, make for a very strong supporting cast.


The look of the film and nearly all of its (non-digital) visual effects were shockingly strong and effective then and save the odd video used for the Robin Williams sequence, makes the film timeless. Gilliam is one of the only directors (Guillermo del Toro is one of the few others) who has the knowledge, talent, heart and soul to make such a film and he did. Again, I am not a megafan of the film, but I was glad to revisit it because it was built to last and last it does. Definitely catch this one!


Extras include a paper foldout on the film, including art, stills, tech info, an essay by critic and author Michael Koresky and more, while the discs add a feature-length audio commentary track featuring Gilliam and his co-screenwriter, Charles McKeown

  • A documentary on the making of the film

  • New video essay by critic and filmmaker David Cairns about the history of the Baron Munchausen character

  • Behind-the-scenes footage of the film's special effects, narrated by Gilliam

  • Deleted scenes with commentary by Gilliam

  • Storyboards for unfilmed scenes, narrated by Gilliam and McKeown

  • Original marketing materials including a trailer and electronic-press-kit featurettes, as well as preview cards and advertising proposals read by Gilliam

  • Miracle of Flight (1974), an animated short film by Gilliam

  • and an episode of The South Bank Show from 1991 on Gilliam.



And Just Like That: The Complete First Season (2022) is the surprise revival of the popular hit HBO series Sex And The City, though it is sadly missing Kim Catrall (due to conflicts from the past with a co-star) whose character is written out in the first scene as having taken a new job (better than killing her off!) and the show jumps right back into its sometimes gross (non?)humor and we are back in the world these ladies have always inhabited. They still have money, but now they have to deal with a post-COVID world and the fact that they are older. Still, they know they look good.


Though I was never the biggest fan of the original show, I understood its success, in part because a show about this particular world to, of and for women had never been shown before (nighttime soap operas, of which this is not, do not count) so it was new territory and could even shock in its time. The actresses (Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis) have zero problems becoming their characters again, like a music group that has not played for a decade or so, but still has the knack of who they are and the chemistry remains.


We get ten episodes and they are good enough for what they are and meant to be, but this is mostly still a for-fans-only affair and at least HBO has put the money into the show, though it would be hard to do this one on a budget considering who they play. Still, fans should be happy and this will be a curio for others. The original show has been remastered (4K scans of the Super 16mm original full color camera negatives, Dolby Atmos sound from the original soundmasters) so we'll see how they compare down the line. Otherwise, it will be interesting to see where this new show goes.


There are no extras.



Lastly, we have Ol Parker's Ticket To Paradise (2022) bringing back the duo of George Clooney and Julia Roberts as a divorced couple whose daughter is getting married, but they have more insults for each other and regrets about each other than you can imagine. Having to face each other for the first time in years, they've been building their artillery of snide comments and criticisms of each other and it is not pretty.


However, when they see the nice guy in a land far away she is going to marry, they start to consider sabotaging the whole thing. Of course, so much of this is obvious and safe, but even I was impressed how good Roberts and Clooney, great friends in real life, are able to put that aside and just go after each other in character like an old screwball comedy from the 1930s and 1940s. Yes, they are that good and have that much chemistry, one fo the few couples anywhere who could pull this off.


So even when it gets silly or corny, there are also some authentic laughs here and they more than prove their star power again, making this one of the biggest hits of the year. If you are interested, it is worth a good look.


Extras are limited, but (per the press release) include: Return of the Dynamic Duo: Back together at last! In this fun-loving featurette, celebrate the big screen return of two of the world's most beloved stars, Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

  • Destination Wedding: It's a beautiful day for a wedding in paradise - and you're invited! Take a deep dive into all the details of Lily's magical day.

  • Production in Paradise: From Balinese marriage customs, to filming in the Whitsundays, discover how filmmakers were able to bring a slice of paradise to audiences around the world in this making-of.

  • and Keep a Straight Face: It's hard to keep a straight face with a best friend by your side. Spend a day on set with real life pals Kaitlyn Dever and Billie Lourd as they try not to distract each other too much.



Now for playback performance. The 2160p HEVC/H.265, 1.85 X 1, Dolby Vision/HDR (10; Ultra HD Premium)-enhanced Ultra High Definition image on Munchausen was one we expected to be good and better than any previous edition of the film, but this 4K scan off of the original 35mm camera negative is far stronger and richer than expected. It compares greatly with the 35mm version I saw back in its original 1988 theatrical release and even if you ado not like the film or are only so impressed like I am, it has plenty of demo material and the color range is terrific!


The 1080p Blu-ray edition is good for what it is and at least as good as the older Blu-ray version, but no match for the 4K's amazing performance.


The film was original issued in Dolby's advanced analog SR (Spectral Recording) noise reduction system and in a year that did not have a great number of great sounding feature films, was one of the best. Apparently also issued in 6-track magnetic stereo in 70mm blow-up prints, the film, was upgraded to 5.1 back in 2004 and the DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix featured on both the 4K and regular Blu-ray editions just sounds a little better than the 5.1 on the older 20th Anniversary Blu-ray. This is the best this film will ever sound and in 4K, probably ever look.


The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer on Paradise is not bad, consistent and professional enough, though it does not necessarily offer any demo material, it is color-consistent and the leads are always lit well. The anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image DVD version is comparatively softer and with less color range, but is just good enough for the old format.


The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix on the Blu-ray is well-recorded and mixed enough, with decent music placement, but nothing socially stunning, as expected. The lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 on the DVD is not as good, but adequate for hearing the film, but the DVD just lessens what does work.


The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image on That can be a little soft in places, but looks good enough in this old format, while the lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 sound on each episode is passable, but it also sounds like it would sound better in a lossless format. Could it be reissued on Blu-ray in DTS:X or Dolby Atmos?



- Nicholas Sheffo


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