The Odd Couple (1968/Paramount
Centennial Collection DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: C+ Extras: B+ Film:
B+
We’ve
already talked about the television show, which was birthed shortly after the
classic 1968 film starring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, we’ve reviewed
several of the seasons, we talk more about the film in the first season review,
which you can read about here. Now we get Paramount to release their
“Centennial Collection” edition of the film, which brings extras to the mix
along with a restored DVD edition. There
is no doubt that the films chemistry has long since inspired many other shows
and movies aside from just the follow-up television show, which of course has
become a classic in it’s own right. This
film now reminds us of the magic that was started in 1968 and the pairing of
Matthau and Lemmon even spawned more interesting results as they returned to
their ways many years later in Grumpy
Old Men, which also received a sequel.
The Odd Couple is a film to cherish for
generations to come and introduce to new viewers, this particular set offers
the best yet for longtime fans as well as those who have never seen it before
with a restored picture and audio track along with supplements that fans have
been waiting for.
The film
is presented on the first disc in its original 1.85 X 1 anamorphic transfer,
which again has been retouched to bring back color fidelity and detail that has
been lacking in previous editions and poor broadcasts. The film still could use some more work, but
for DVD this is perhaps as good as it’s going to get until we get a Blu-ray
release. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix
(along with a Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono mix) is decent and offers about as good of
clarity and quality that DVD will do for a film of this age and considering the
dialogue-driven nature of the film.
Extras are all featured on disc two with exception to the commentary
track on the first disc presented by Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon, which is
a nice touch to hear their take on the film and watching their father’s
interaction with each other. Disc two
boasts a few new supplements, which are mostly retrospective on the two leads,
memories from the set, an inside look, the origins of the screenplay by Neil
Simon, and various production highlights including the trailer, galleries, and
other fan favorites.
- Nate Goss
