Title: Bowfinger
Region: One
Genre: Comedy
Stars: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Christine Baranski, Terence Stamp, and Robert Downey Jr.
Writer: Steve Martin
Director: Frank Oz
Feature length: 1 hour and 37 minutes
Extras: Spotlight on Location - "Bowfinger" Featurette, Feature Length Audio Commentary Track by Director Frank Oz, Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Universal Showcase Trailer, Recommendations, Production Notes, Cast and Filmmaker Biographies and Filmographies, and Special DVD-ROM Features
Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and French Dolby Surround 2.0, English DTS 5.1 Surround Track
Subtitles: English Captions
Packaging: Alpha Keep case
Chapter Stops: 18
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo Surround Sound, DTS 5.1 Surround Track
Year of Theatrical Release: 1999/DVD Release: 2000
Theatrical Distributor: Universal Pictures
Home Video Distributor: Universal Pictures Home Video Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG-13
FILM/PERFORMANCE - 40 out of 40
VIDEO - 18 out of 20
AUDIO - 20 out of 20
SUPPLEMENTS - 20 out of 20
TOTAL - 98 out of 100 = A
DVD Rating: A
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
On January 18, 2000 Universal Pictures Home Video will release the fabulously funny Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, and Director Frank Oz comedy collaboration, "Bowfinger" on DVD. "Bowfinger" opened toward the end of the summer of 1999 to excellent critical response and good word of mouth from audiences eager to see the first motion picture featuring Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy working together in a comedy.
Steve Martin portrays Bobby Bowfinger, a down on his luck aspiring auteur who takes one last stab at making a hit motion picture by making a B-movie science fiction flick humorously titled, "Chubby Rain," with paranoid African American Action Hero Kit Ramsey, (Eddie Murphy,) without his even knowing it and driving Kit crazy in the process. Soon he enlists the help of Kit's nerdy brother, Jeff, (also played by Eddie Murphy,) to complete the celluloid con of a lifetime.
"Bowfinger" is a great comedy with great performances from Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy, who steps back a bit enabling other cast members that include Heather Graham, Christine Baranski and Terrance Stamp to shine on screen. The film has some in-jokes without being too Hollywood for consumers. "Bowfinger" is a wonderful comedy with a great cast, funny script, and skilled direction by Frank Oz.
The DVD Edition of "Bowfinger" is another special edition quality package without the special edition price, giving consumers an extra value for their dollars. The picture quality is quite good with wonderful colors and solid blacks. There is no over saturation or video noise. There is some grain sometimes in certain earth tone scenes, but it is hardly noticeable and does not in any way spoil the enjoyment of watching the film on DVD. The film itself is presented in its 1.85:1 aspect ratio with anamorphic enhancement for widescreen TVs.
The sound is also excellent with English Dolby Digital 5.1 and English DTS 5.1 Soundtracks. A French Dolby Surround Track is included as well. It is great to see a major studio taking advantage of the possibilities DVD holds for movie lovers by including Two Dolby Soundtracks as well as a DTS Soundtrack on the same DVD giving consumers the ability to compare the tracks if they have the proper Sound Decoder. The Soundtracks are great with the DTS carrying an edgier base sound. English Captions compliment the English Soundtracks.
Also included is a dynamic Feature Length Audio Commentary Track featuring Director Frank Oz skillfully giving insight into the direction and acting of the talent involved. The Commentary Track is very enjoyable, informative, and definitely worth listening to.
There are also a great deal of extras, which include Universal's Spotlight on Location featuring interviews with Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, plus the rest of the main cast of "Bowfinger" including Director Frank Oz. Two extended deleted scenes and outtakes are included in the extras section along with the Theatrical Trailer for "Bowfinger" as well as Universal's Showcase Trailer for "The Hurricane" and trailers for "The Nutty Professor," "EDTV," and "Liar Liar" in the recommendations section." The standard Cast and Crew Biographies and Filmographies and Production Notes couple by some extra behind the scenes material for DVD-ROM users round off what is another stellar DVD release from Universal. I highly recommend giving this DVD a spin.
Mark A. Rivera - A