1941 (Collector's Edition)
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.34 You Save: $8.64 (58%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.92 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of 1941 (Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: The LOUDEST Movie I've Ever Seen...
Summary: 5 Stars
But I think that's what works in this film! Although a lot of critics have given this film thumbs down remarks and bad reviews, I for one enjoy it. When reading a biography on Stephen Spielberg, I discovered that he had planned on turning the second world war into HIS version of my all-time favorite film, It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. The poster art done for the film is pure "Mad World". It depicts every single character from the film be it major, minor, or extra, and it shows action shots of things you can see in the movie; Murray Hamilton and Eddie Deezen on the ferris wheel with the Dummy, a theater marquee announcing Walt Disney's Dumbo playing, and of course Captain Wild Bill Kelso (John Belushi) flying his airplane directly towards the audience.
In my opinion, Spielberg stood true to his word and did in fact give audiences "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World...War". Originally, he was going to call the film "The Night The Japs Attacked" but of course, that title wouldn't be accepted by most companies. 1941 contains exactly the kind of material that was seen in "Mad World"; a cavalcade cast that included (In Alphabetical Order) Dan Aykroyd, Ned Beatty, John Belushi, Lorraine Garay, Murray Hamilton, Christopher Lee, Tim Matheson, Toshirô Mifune, Warren Oates, Robert Stack, Treat Williams and classic minor roles performed by Lucille Benson, John Candy, Elisha Cook Jr., Eddie Deezen, Patti LuPone, Penny Marshall, Frank McRae, Slim Pickens, Wendie Jo Sperber, Lionel Stander, Dub Taylor, Iggie Wolfington, Joe Flaherty, David L. Lander, Michael McKean, Susan Backlinie, Mickey Rourke, and Donovan Scott.
Most people forget that there's a big love triangle in the story involving Bobby DiCicco and Dianne Kay and how they must deal with Treat Williams' harshness and rudeness. That's probably because Spielberg had filmed so much that the audience couldn't decide which characters were more important to focus on! Hence why when the film was first released on video, it only ran 2 hours long and was billed as a "HOME VIDEO VERSION".
When the DVD was re-released in 2003, there were a few minor changes. The DVD disc itself remained 100% the same as it did when it arrived on shelves in 1998, however the re-release changed the cover art and replaced the expansive collectible booklet that was placed inside the cover with a smaller "Chapters & Bonus Features" insert instead.
The Director's Cut of the film really adds more depth to the plot lines. The DVD was essentially put together in the same format as the "Universal Signature Collection" Laserdisc of 1941. It includes the newly restored 2.35:1 Scope Widescreen presentation of the film with all 26 minutes of cut footage intact and in widescreen as well, a restored Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound audio track, 2 teaser trailers (the 1st one allows audiences to discover that Belushi's name was originally going to be Wild WAYNE Kelso) and 1 theatrical trailer, an extra collection of unrestored deleted scenes (some of which are missing audio) and outtakes, a documentary featuring interviews with Stephen Spielberg, Bob Gale, Robert Zemeckis, John Milius, and John Williams, within the documentary are on-set home movies done by Spielberg and alternate takes not included in the deleted scenes section, a photo gallery, and advertising campaign gallery. Among the "Text Only" bonus features are production notes and reviews of the film from 1978-1979.
As I said earlier, most people hated this film because of the millions of characters and plot lines but to me I consider it almost a cult classic. Like Dr. Strangelove, it took on a serious American issue and made it into a farce, giving people something to smile and laugh at. Therefore, 1941 in my opinion deserves 5 stars.
"So long mama, I'm off to Yokohama!"-Wild Bill Kelso.
Movie Review: Get A Life and Laugh, People!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The public response to 1941 is the epitome of examples in how differently people see movies, yet it is also a prime example of how viewers tend to agree with the vast majority. My response to those who are members of the latter...think for yourselves! Just because the critics and your friends hated it does not mean you will, too!1941 is without a doubt the definitive cult film, loved and hated by millions...more of the latter, unfortunately. But for those who love it, they truly do LOVE! Like Spielberg himself says in the documentary "It's a small, twisted crowd that appreciates '1941'." I'm proud to be a part of that core group as I am able to notice, understand and appreciate the jokes director Spielberg, producer John Milius and writers Bob Zemeckis and Bob Gale spewed forth into this film while I'm now living such a disgustingly politically-correct environment like our own.
Racist? Hardly...merely a pie in the face of the Statue of Liberty (as Speilberg calls it) and a Stooges poke in the eye to the American social environment of the 40's. Funny? Absolutely! Who can't laugh at Eddie Deezen, Murray Hamilton and the dummy on the runaway ferris wheel? Who can't laugh at Ned Beatty blowing up his own house with a anti-tank mortar? And who can't appreciate and simply gawk at what is still some of the greatest miniature effects ever put onto film?? A.D. Flowers was a genius in this department!
My advice to those naysayers is this...free your minds of the contemporary P.C. clutter poisoning our world these days for 2-1/2 hours and watch this painfully UNDERRATED movie once again. You'll be surprised as to how much more you'll appreciate it. Even Spielberg himself loves it again!
Movie Review: Learn to Laugh
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, OK, I admit this movie is a bit sophmoric, but if that worked in 'Animal House', why can't it work here? I loved this movie, and those who are overly critical of it need to realize that simple humor does work. Notice I said 'simple' and not 'stupid', which in light of recent box office releases such as 'Jackass' seem to be somewhat popular.What makes this movie more poignant is September 11th. Now, I know it isn't good form to make fun of the recent terrorist attacks, but the reaction by the US mirrors the events following the attack on Pearl Harbor, which this film makes fun of. Trust me, I am in the US military, and people we racking their brains in trying to guess what, where and how the next attack would occur. I read reports of people in small towns in west central Texas thinking they would be the next target. It was the same paranoia that occurred after December 7th.
I don't advocate taking terrorism any less serious, nor do I want to downplay the heroic actions of those in NYC, the Pentagon, or on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania; but we spun ourselves through the roof (and still do) with a "ready, fire, aim" mentality. Panic does not help, and the best thing to do is cool down and think clearly. I think this films shows us how ridiculous "war nerves" can make us all! Well worth the money!
Movie Review: One of my favorite movies ... seriously!
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't help myself -- I LOVE this movie. I think it's one of those flicks you either love or absolutely despise.
From the opening sequence (a hysterical send-up of the "Jaws" opening) to the final crazy madness, I couldn't stop laughing. Yes, the story is ridiculous (the "love story" especially is kind of dumb, and the "sex only in an airplane" is just stupid), but from what I've heard from older family members who lived in that part of the world in 1941, the movie accurately depicts the attitudes of many folks -- the near hysteria over possible additional attacks, the civilian look-outs, etc. OK, so maybe it's a *little* exaggerated in this movie, but it was very real at the time.
Everyone's sense of what's funny and what isn't is different, so this will definitely not appeal to EVERYONE. But I count it among my favorite movies -- along with "A Letter to Three Wives," "Raising Arizona," "Singing in the Rain," and "Joe vs the Volcano."
Movie Review: 1941 in Spielbergs Close Encounter Of The Funniest Kind
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is the funniest movier ever made in my oppinion. I am always in the mood for a real treat and when I heard that Spielberg made a WWII comedy 2years ago I watched it and laughed my head off again, and again, and again. However you must be pretty insane to appreciate this film like I and others do, but I think that the only reason why it did bad in 1979 was b/c it was ahead of its time. Just think. 1. General Stillwell who is more concerned with seeing "DUMBO" than helping out. 2. Stillwells 2nd in command who is infatuated with a girl who is sexually intimidated by planes. 3. 2 guys and a dummy on a ferris wheel which eventually rolls off a dock. 4. Slim Pickens forced to go to the bathroom to retrieve a compass he swallowed.THIS IS ONE FUNNY MOVIE. BUY THIS DVD TODAY!