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Category:    Home > Reviews > Musical > Comedy > Revival > Concert > Company: A Musical Comedy (Image Entertainment Blu-ray)

Company: A Musical Comedy (Image Entertainment Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: C     Main Program: B

 

 

As the musical continues to make a comeback, it still means reinventing it every time out and Stephen Sondheim has (with director John Doyle and George Firth) deliver one of the most interesting yet with Company: A Musical Comedy now on Blu-ray from a 2007 HD recording for public television.  A big, pleasant surprise and even throwback to the sophistication of the kind of realistic “polite society” plays and TV shows you used to see in the 1970s (Hot L Baltimore, Mary Tyler Moore TV cycle) with as much humor and wit as possible.

 

We have not seen anything like this in a long time and I am very surprised this has not received more mainstream critical acclaim, until I realize just how smart and clever the whole affair really is.  Well, it turns out this is a revival of a 1970 hit by producer Harold Prince from a period when the economy was richer, a job could be a career at one company and pulls together 11 acts into one 132 minutes long work here that is worth revisiting and then some.

 

No matter how good or groundbreaking the original was, this version is as full of energy, chemistry and talent as you could ask for.  I can see why this revival was so successful and it is terrific that you can get this on Blu-ray.  If you liked the films and Blu-rays of Dreamgirls, Chicago and Hairspray, you’ll definitely want to add this to your collection.

 

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image is a consistent HD shoot, though it can be too soft throughout and have some minor background noise troubles, but it is a good looking shoot of the stage just the same.  The DTS HD Master Audio (MA) Lossless 5.1 mix is better than the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix and even offers more than the competent PCM 2.0 Stereo, but is not the epitome of what this format can do.  Nevertheless, it is clean and clear enough, both combining to deliver decent if not spectacular playback.  Extras include “An Audience With Stephen Sondheim” and video interviews with director Doyle and star Raul Esparza.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


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