Mad Money (2007/Anchor Bay/Starz Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: B-     Film: B-

 

 

A while after its theatrical and DVD release, I still find myself talking to people about Callie Khouri’s Mad Money (2007) when the subject of recent comedies that work surface.  This is especially because few do of late and I am surprised how many people ask me about the film since then, giving me hope more people will discover and enjoy it.  Now it is on Blu-ray and if you have not seen the film, you can read my previous DVD review with story description and thoughts on the film at this link:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7001/Mad+Money+(2007/Anchor+Bay

 

 

The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image is an improvement over the DVD in sometimes significant ways, making it closer to the 35mm film print I saw of it when it first hit theaters.  The great cinematographer John Bailey, A.S.C., ups the fun with a great shoot and camera angles that only up the suspense and comedy, more apparent here.  Color and detail are improved, while depth is the best beneficiary of the upgrade.  The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix is much richer than the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix from the DVD and is the preferred soundtrack, meaning this edition trumps the DVD overall, including all of its original extras.  They include a terrific feature length audio commentary by Khouri, the trailer and a behind the scenes featurette.

 

I was even amused by the menus, which I rarely am, and think this Blu-ray shows the film off all around to best effect.  I say again, if you want some good laughs from a comedy that remembers what it is to be funny, Mad Money is for you.  It is also one of the best Comedy Blu-rays on the market.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo