Review of Ali G, Aiii

Introduction

Unless you`ve been living under a piece of Martian rock for the last couple of years, you`re probably heard of Sacha Baron Cohen`s "Ali G". Even dull daytime TV presenter Richard Madeley has dressed up as him. He was in the last Madonna video.

He first appeared on "The 11 O`Clock Show" on Channel 4 (back in the days when the programme was funny), interviewing in his own style. However, it`s probably fair to say that this interviewing style has been partially influenced by others, the easiest comparison being some of Chris Morris` stuff.

The appearances on "The 11 O`Clock Show" were joined together in holy matrimony and released on VHS last year, and were an absolutely massive hit. This has still not yet arrived on DVD, but we are instead presented with highlights of his first solo series "Da Ali G Show", along with out-takes and unseen footage.

Video

An anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer is on show (the same as the original broadcast) and looks excellent, bright colours (including Ali`s various clothing selections), and excellent detail. The quality drops during the "Borat" sections, but this is entirely intentional. A top notch TV transfer.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo track is included here, again the same as the original broadcast, and is very good at its job. The show consists of mostly dialogue, but there are also some bass-filled musical moments which sound good too.

Features

The real "extras" are included as part of the main feature - out-takes which are just as funny as the main stuff, and the unseen scenes are there too.

The other extra is the "alternative Christmas message" which was broadcast at the same time as the real Christmas message.

There`s also an Easter egg in the form of another unused scene, accessible from the main menu, and very easy to find - I stumbled on it by accident.

You do wonder if there were any other unused scenes left lying around - a shame not to see them if there were.

Although I don`t count them as extras, special mention should be given to the menus, which are very nicely done.

Conclusion

Do you like Ali G ?

Buy this DVD.

Do you dislike Ali G ?

Don`t buy this DVD.

It`s really as simple as that. Fans will enjoy it for the chance to see the unseen footage as well as the chance to see previously broadcast stuff in broadcast quality. Non-fans won`t be converted by this DVD.