Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 9, 2019

Recently graduating from a private detective school, Lou (Lou Costello) and Bud (Bud Abbott) are ready to prove themselves, eager to accept their first case. Unfortunately, their introduction to the world of crime comes in the form of Tommy (Arthur Franz), a boxer accused of killing his manager. Trying to clear his own name, Tommy comes into contact with a special invisibility serum, giving him a chance to discover the real murderer. Supporting Tommy’s endeavor are Lou and Bud, who have to deal with the invisible man and his special ways of showcasing his power.

After “meeting” Frankenstein and Boris Karloff, Abbott and Costello return to horror-ish events with 1951’s “Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man,” though the stars often play second-fiddle to the production’s use of special effects to bring the titular menace to life. Comedy is protected, as encounters with Tommy provide prime slapstick opportunities, also challenging director Charles Lamont to dream up ways to capture the invisible man’s movement on-screen. Some of the gags are convincing, and Costello does especially well with physical antics, which move from private detective concerns to the boxing ring, with the skittish man tasked with taking on a few challengers with help from Tommy and his powers. Pugilist antics score highly here.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man made its way to Blu-ray in 2018, and makes a quick return here. The AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation is certainly palatable, with reasonable clarity for a movie that's loaded with special effects. It's not a sharp viewing experience, but skin textures are appreciable, along with costuming, surveying silky eveningwear and woolen suits. Delineation is acceptable.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a satisfactory understanding of dialogue exchanges for "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man." Comedic exchanges are alert, enjoying clarity for specialized responses to danger, and dramatic moments retain thespian emphasis. Scoring is acceptable, offering decent instrumentation and support when it comes to the production's shifting genres.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Image Gallery (6:21) collects film stills, publicity shots and stunts, poster art, and lobby cards.

• Production Notes (1:43) share information on the making of "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:58, SD) is included.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There are a few attempts to unnerve the audience, but "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man" isn't out to frighten. Like its predecessors, it tries to be unsettling and uproarious, taking the invisible man as seriously as this type of entertainment allows, while the rest of the endeavor is gifted to Abbott and Costello, who are permitted time to make their side of the film their own, even when dealing with the complexity of visual tricks.