Review of Cutting Edge, The

Introduction

I had this movie many moons ago, it was probably one of the first ex-rental videos I bought. I actually eventually got it on U.S. Laserdisc and was astounded to hear it was coming to Region 2 DVD.
Directed by non-other than Paul Michael Glaser, Starsky of Starsky and Hutch Fame, it was given the somewhat uncomplimentary moniker of "Dirty Dancing on Ice". O.K. I will admit to liking Dirty Dancing but I do prefer this light hearted TV movie style flick better. It was never the box office phenomenon that Dirty Dancing was but it has a charm all of its own.

D.B. Sweeney, who`s last acting credit I remember was voicing one of the dinosaurs in the Disney film of the same name, And Moira Kelly, who also voiced Nala in the Lion King put up some great performances. When Doug Dorsey (Sweeney) is injured in an Ice Hockey accident it looks like his professional puck slapping days are numbered. But when the Russian coach of a young figure skater (Kelly) turns up on Doug`s doorstep offering him a try out as her new partner he`s in no position to refuse.

Doug soon finds out his partner is a spoiled, rich brat who thinks Doug could never hack-it as a professional figure skater. But Doug soon shows his time spent on the ice playing Hockey have set him in good stead for his new found career. A love hate relationship ensues, with bitter jealousy and rivalry all getting in the way of the Olympic medal goal.

So how does the DVD fair?

Video

A nice but not a perfect transfer. That said the laserdisc was also of a very similar quality. The movie does have a very made for TV feel with muted colours and alot of soft focus on the female lead. Other than that this 1:85.1 anamorphic transfer is not bad with only the odd artefacting on large areas of solid colour.

Audio

The Dolby Digital 2.0 surround is quite enveloping. The surrounds are use to good effect for the ice skating sequences and for the multitude of music. The matrixed bass extension is good but not earth shattering, then again it doesn`t need to be.

Features

A simple theatrical trailer. Poor, Very Poor! MGM do seem to dash these titles out with little thought.

Conclusion

I like this film. It`s easy viewing and this movie only DVD is just fine for the price. A commentary would have been nice and some making of docs would have tied it together nicely! This is the third format i`ve had this title in and it now feels like a part of my life. Not may low budget movies could have this effect surely!

Trivia spot: The Russian coach is played by Roy Dotrice he is the father of Michelle Dotrice who played Betty in the british BBC comedy Some mothers do have `em starring Michael Crawford.