The Dudesons – The Movie

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Main Program: C+

 

 

Finland’s The Dudesons are the forerunners of the show Jackass and for all intents and purposes, much more daring, energetic, spontaneous and more physical than their American counterparts.  Not that they are any less wise about putting their lives in jeopardy, but there is more chemistry in their self-destruction and more of a sense of joy and fun in what they do.

 

Jarppi, Jukka, Jarko and HP (who oddly go unnamed anywhere on the DVD case as if they expect the audience to have xenophobia) have been friends for a very long time and that makes them a group in tune to where each other is coming from.  Their stunts can be dangerous and we do get several visits to the hospital for each guy, but unlike the heartless carelessness of Jackass playing the “reality TV” card and being constantly sneaky (instead of occasionally sneaky like the Dudesons can be), they are more about fun and deception.  This makes them a throwback to the stunt-crazy side of the 1970s and at the same time, which gives the overall program an appeal beyond the “youth crowd” it is largely marketed towards.

 

The 1.78 X 1 image was shot in various digital standard definition formats and with added graphics and some more degraded images, it has its style and the usual detail limits.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is somewhat stereophonic at best, but there are no surrounds.  Extras include amusing audio commentary by The Dudesons, bonus scenes, "Visiting Viva La Bam" featurette and Mad Mike Jones vs. The Dudesons.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo