The Illusionist (2006/Fox Blu-ray w/DVD) + Showgirls
– 15th Anniversary Sinsational Edition (1995/MGM Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture: B-
& C+/B- & C+ Sound: B-/B
& B- Extras: B-/C+ Films: B-/C-
We have
previously reviewed both films on DVD, which you can read more about at these
links:
Illusionist
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4752/The+Illusionist+(2006)
Showgirls Box Set
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1271/Showgirls+V.I.P.+Edition
It is sad
that The Illusionist did not find
the audience it deserved, while people actually still talk about the
catastrophe that is Showgirls. On one hand, you have one of Edward Norton’s
better films and on the other, the worst of everyone involves, but hey, they
both are about stage acts!
Of
course, it did not help The Illusionist
that Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige
arrived around the same, time and the two are often confused. On the other hand, nothing as bad as Showgirls in the way it is bad has ever
been seen before or again.
Anyone
who gets Showgirls on Blu-ray is
doing it for a laugh, but The
Illusionist is another matter. Both
1080p digital High Definition Blu-ray versions outdo their previously reviewed
DVD counterparts, which are repeated in the included bonus DVDs that come with
each. However, the upgrades are not as
good as expected.
The 1080p
1.85 X 1 AVC @ 19.5 image on The
Illusionist is better in its Video Black and overall presentation than the
somewhat weak DVD, but not as good as the 35mm shoot Dick Pope, B.S.C., delivered
as I saw it in its original 35mm release.
I still liked it enough to watch it, but even with its stylizing, it is
not as good as what Fox itself delivered in the similarly dark From Hell Blu-ray. The 1080p 2.35 X 1 AVC @ 35.5 image Blu-ray
version of should look much better than it does, showing too much grain (I have
seen this look better) from its Super 35mm shoot. I suspect both sport older HD masters, but The Illusionist deserves a bit better.
Both also
have DTS-HD Master Audio (MA) lossless 5.1 upgrades over the Dolby Digital 5.1
mixes on the DVDs. Again, they are
improvements, but not by much. In the
case of The Illusionist, it is
dialogue-based, but could still sound a little better. As for Showgirls,
the sound is richer, but the soundfield still limited and should also sound a
little better.
Extras are
the same as the same as the DVD editions, though Showgirls does not offer all the extras from its hilarious V.I.P.
DVD box set, but the audio commentary track by fan David Schmader is a riot and
worth going out of your way for.
- Nicholas Sheffo
