Absolutely
Anything (2017/Fox DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: B
Simon
Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) and Kate Beckinsale (the Underworld
films) lead the hilarious and inventive new comedy Absolutely
Anything (2017) from Terry Jones (Monty Python). Imagine if all
you had to do was wave your hand and your wildest ramblings became a
reality?
Such
is the case for Neil Clarke (Pegg), who gets granted this astonishing
power from a group of fun-seeking aliens (voiced by former Monty
Python members) that view his actions from space as if they were
watching a television show. While Neil wrestles with courting with
his unattainable crush (Beckinsale) - she is in turn is dealing with
a very obsessive stalker (Rob Riggle - who always seems to play a
creepy character), who goes as far as showing up at her job and
apartment unannounced. Once this miraculous act happens to him, Neil
has to decide what is important in his average life and how he can
make it better with this new power... without taking things TOO
far...
Made
for a modest budget of around $3 Million, this Sci-fi comedy was
originally released in Indonesia and is now finding its way to the
US. Part Bruce Almighty and part Hitchhikers Guide To The
Galaxy, the film is easy to watch and pretty funny even though
the plot is admittedly predictable. There are a few British jokes
that will probably go over most Americans heads, but the familiarity
of Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale (who really looks so good here)
will hopefully help it get a wider audience.
The
film has many familiar faces (and voices) with Eddie Izzard, Terry
Gilliam, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Joanna Lumley, and
the late Robin Williams, who voices a talking dog in later parts of
the movie.
Presented
on standard definition DVD with a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.40:1
and a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track, the presentation is up to
standards for the format but could easily be improved with an HD
upgrade. Especially when watching on a 4K television, the datedness
of the format becomes pretty clear with blocky titles and lack of
character and set details. Still, it's passable for the format.
Special
Features...
Theatrical
Trailer
Digital
Copy (which arguably looks better than the DVD presentation)
This
little comedic gem was more fun than I was expected as when you read
the cover, you can't help but say ''Robin Williams as a Dog?''
Nevertheless, Absolutely Anything fits into the romantic
comedy screenwriting rulebook but manages to have a few outrageous
moments here and there. Definitely worth a watch for Python fans.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
