Mallrats
(HD-DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: C
Even by
Kevin Smith’s own estimation, Mallrats
did not quite work out as he had hoped and looking at it again, it has aged
badly in a very short time. The latest
in an intermittent series of “Jay & Silent Bob” films for arrive on HD-DVD,
fan were rightly disappointed with a film that felt as per-packaged as the
films Smith was so good at criticizing.
At the
time, co-star Shannon Dougherty was blamed for the film’s failure, but in real
life, that never added up (as much as many would have liked it to) and with
Smith’s subsequent films, it is obvious it has to do with Smith not knowing
where to go with his kind of humor.
Jason Lee, Claire Forlani, Pricilla Barnes and Michael Rooker also show
up, but the film is for diehard fans only.
The 1080p
1.85 X 1 VC- 1 digital High Definition image should have been at least half decent,
but this Gramercy release (a company Universal and PolyGram had for a few years
before Universal bought them out) looks poor and barely better than a DVD. Director of Photography David Klein did not
produce a great looking film, but it looked better than this in 35mm. The film was a DTS theatrical release, but
never a great mix as the Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 mix here reminds us. Even Ira Newborn’s score could only do so
much. Extras include a cast reunion,
outtakes, the amusing Video Smith directed and stared in with Jason Mewes for
The Goops’ remake of the Pop/Rock classic Build
Me Up Buttercup (if not as good as The Foundations 1969 original),
outtakes, Smith Q&A, cast interviews, gang audio commentary track, making
of featurette and some other stuff that should keep fans happy.
- Nicholas Sheffo
