|
|
|
Bullseye!
R2 - United Kingdom - Fabulous Films Review written by and copyright: Rick Curzon (9th April 2016). |
|
The Film
 ***This is an A/V and Extras review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** Three cons. One heist. No rules. Smalltime con men Sidney (Michael Caine) and Gerald (Roger Moore) take advantage of their uncanny likenesses to corrupt nuclear-physicist duo Hicklar and Bevistock (Caine and Moore) to execute an audacious diamond heist. However the con-mens plan backfires as the CIA and MI5 are soon hot on their heels. The one and only film collaboration of screen legends Moore and Caine, BULLSEYE is a non-stop comic rollercoaster. Directed by Michael Winner (A Chorus of Disapproval) and with a script by acclaimed comedy writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran (TV's The New Statesman), the film bristles with electric chemistry between its two superstar leads. Featuring cameos from John Cleese, Jenny Seagrave and Patsy Kensit, the film is packed with laughs and jaw-dropping set-pieces from beginning to end!
Video
UK independent label Fabulous Films has licensed from Studio Canal this bizarre comedy about two numb-nuts conmen (Michael Caine, Roger Moore) who impersonate two numb-nuts nuclear physicists (Caine, Moore). For some very strange reason a Spanish print has been used which means the title here is "Atraco a falda Armada!", which translates as "Heist Skirt"; go figure. We have a very dull standard definition, open matte copy of the film with some very mild damage in the form of occasional speckling. Like many standard def transfers from the late '80s / early '90s it lacks the punch of modern equivalents but this is has an overly saturated colour palette which is too bright with milky black levels and poor contrast which makes everything look garish and slightly blown out. Detail is there but poor. This aged transfer is riddled with artefacts in any bold colours and lacks much detail; it just looks muddy. I suspect that this is the same master used on all other DVDs of this film and is Studio Canal's off the shelf copy. Until they get their buts in gear and create a new, widescreen HD master this will have to suffice for those who want this film. 1.33:1 / PAL / 88:46
Audio
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: None Awful ... because this was made in 2.0 Dolby Stereo and for some strange reason this disc only has a 2.0 mono track! If you can get past this major slip-up this has a passable, if unremarkable, lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 Track. The strident score by John Du Prez dominates everything throughout this film mainly because it's mostly inappropriate for this film. That said dialogue is clear, but then again the cast are overacting terribly all the way through. As to be expected, this is a fairly standard, lossy standard definition soundtrack for a comedy from 1990. It does it's job perfectly well if unremarkably. I detected no distortions or other flaws such as pops, clicks or hiss. However I'll mention again the banging and crashing score which tramples what merit may have existed in this film into the ground.
Extras
Sir Roger Moore Interview (2015) (10:41) Moore can't remember what his parts actually were, but he does remember that he played two roles; he remembers more the disguises these characters play. He describes the making of the film as madness but fun. He talks about the original screenplay called Chain of Events which was written by Leslie Bricusse and was much more serious (for Michael Caine, Shirley MacLaine and Moore). And, although Bricusse is still credited he was substantially rewritten by director Michael Winner who made it more comedic and the role for MacLaine was ultimately played by Sally Kirkland. Plenty of anecdotes about filming and the cast and crew including the explosive temper of director Winner who Moore liked. There is apparently a collector’s booklet but it wasn’t provided for review.
Packaging
Standard, black DVD Keepcase.
Overall
Garish, over the top, clunky, badly directed comedy starring two wonderful stars who seem to be having the time of their life. Moore says as much in his entertaining interview, the only extra. A total car crash of a release with poor picture and flat mono sound which is especially egregious because it was made in stereo. Sadly...or not depending on your point of view...there doesn't seem to be a Blu-ray of this one; I'd be surprised if an HD master has been created, and I can't recall the last time this film was shown on UK TV.
|
|||||
|