Review of Bedazzled

Introduction

I was looking forwards to this film from the moment I saw clips of it on "Box Office America", but I missed it at the cinema because in my home town they`ve closed both big picture-houses and opened a multiplex in the back of beyond. Therefore it was one of the first Region One disks I`ve preordered since I got into DVD.
The movie itself is an update of Stanley Donen`s 1967 comedy of the same name. In that, Peter Cook was the Devil and Dudley Moore was Stanley Moon, the hero. Living up to his name, he moons over Margaret, played by Eleanor Bron, and in a series of comedy sketches the Devil offers Stanley a series of opportunities to win her in exchange for his soul.

Got that? Because that`s all the new movie has in common with its original.

Bedazzled (2000) is a Harold Ramis film - written and directed by he of Animal House, Caddyshack, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and Multiplicity. Ramis`s style is much more in your face, but for this version of the Faust story it works.

Elliot our computer nerd hero, played engagingly by Brendan Fraser from The Mummy, George of the Jungle and Gods and Monsters, wants to get to know Alison (Frances O`Connor). Unfortunately she doesn`t know he exists although they`ve worked together for four years. Elliot works with a group of fellow helpliners who can`t stand him, but like some big, dumb dog, he doesn`t realise this. One evening at the bar, Elliot wishes Alison were part of his life.

The Devil of this piece is Elizabeth Hurley, playing Elizabeth Hurley as usual. She offers Elliot seven wishes in return for his soul.

Video

The movie is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. Image quality is absolutely spanking (still thinking about Liz Hurley here), with rich colours, especially the reds of a certain someone`s costumes. As you would expect from a new release, there is no print damage and the image is crisp throughout the movie.

The menu system can be themed to the four main wishes Elliot makes -"Rich", "Famous", "Sensitive" and "Intelligent", and there`s a pager in the corner (Elliot`s means of escape) that returns the user to the initial options menu.

Audio

English 5.1 Surround, 2.0 Dolby Surround and French 2.0 Dolby Surround. The soundtrack does little really dynamic to give your system a workout, but the guitar on the "Rich" sequence sounds as good as the one on the "Mask of Zorro" soundtrack. The soundtrack is THX certified, and there`s an alignment feature on the disk that only the foolhardy should play with.

Features

The disk is pustular with extras. Nothing too earth-shattering. A Director`s Commentary and a commentary by Elizabeth Hurley and Producer Trevor Albert, a short "Making Of" Featurette by HBO, a stills gallery, Costume Design Featurette and an extended version of the "Famous" basketball sequence. There are trailers and tv spots and two "scoring sessions" that show David Newman putting the music to the movie. There is also an easter egg on the second special features menu. Press the cursor right button on any option on that page and a little "Devil Liz" icon appears on "Angel Liz`s" shoulder. Press enter and a warning screen comes up. Beyond that is a deleted sequence "Rock Star" with Elliot as a British Satanist Heavy Metal rocker. Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, and language to match (every other word seems to be beeped out). It`s not in keeping with the rest of the picture, but worth watching for Liz in the preamble wearing a French Maid costume.

The R1 version of this disk is Nuon enhanced, and as I don`t have a Nuon machine (who in the UK has?) I can`t comment on those features.

There is a THX alignment feature on the disk that`s the work of the Devil as it only sets the sound right for this movie and no others!

Conclusion

I`d unhesitatingly rate this as one of the movies of the year. I`d happily overlook the shortcomings of Elizabeth Hurley`s acting, the basic "what-the-hell-does-he-see-in-her?" of Elliot`s attraction to Alison or his puppy-dog attraction to a group of "friends" who wouldn`t pee on him if he was on fire. It`s not great like "Groundhog Day", but it`s a fun movie that betters the original in all sorts of ways.