Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Fletch Lives Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 12, 2024

Michael Ritchie's "Fletch Lives" (1988) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by critics Bryan Reesman and Max Evry; archival program on the making of the film; archival cast and crew interviews; and vintage trailers. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The outsider

Anyone questioning that Fletch is a genuine Chevy Chase character should study closely Fletch Lives. Four years after the original film, Michael Ritchie and Chase reunited for this sequel, but this time they did not work with original material from Gregory McDonald. They worked with an original screenplay by Leon Capetanos, whose material is much different than anything McDonald had written about Fletch. Instead of roaming the streets and beaches of Southern California, this time Chase is in rural Louisiana, where he has inherited a crumbling property and sticks out like a sore thumb. But the transition is flawless, and Chase is frequently even funnier than in the original film.

After a surprising phone call from a sexy lawyer (Paricia Kalember) who informs him that his aunt has passed away and left him a big property, Fletch quits his job in Los Angeles and arrives in rural Louisiana ready to become acquainted with his inheritance. The sexy lawyer greets him and a few hours later treats him right, but sometime after the sexual fireworks dies of a heart attack. Fletch is promptly arrested and placed in jail, where he accidentally meets the only man who can give him back his freedom, veteran lawyer Ham Johnson (Hal Halbrook). After Fletch hires Johnson on the spot, he quickly gets him out, but then warns him to plan his future without Louisiana. In the days ahead, Fletch begins to understand why. He becomes a target for the KKK, discovers that someone has been dumping toxic waste on his land, and nearly ends up with a bullet in his head.

Old claims that Fletch Lives does not work because the flavor of McDonald’s work is virtually impossible to recognize in it are easy to dismiss for two simple reasons. First, the original film is not exactly a faithful cinematic adaptation of McDonald’s bestselling novel, and Chase is definitely not a replica of the famous character from it. The original film is set in the right place and Chase borrows some of the qualities of McDonald’s character, but the adventure that is chronicled in it and Chase’s performance are so unique that it essentially becomes a new project. This is why the transition from the original film to Fletch Lives works so well. Chase simply resumes playing his character in a different place, and Ritchie begins shooting him as he did in the original film. Second, the quality of the comedy is identical, which perhaps should not be surprising because Chase is again the catalyst behind all the excitement.

There is something new that makes Fletch Lives a slightly different film. In the original film, Chase is always the main attraction and as a result permanently overshadows the many excellent actors around him. In Fletch Lives, the camera still loves to follow Chase, but there are a lot of significant contributions from the actors around him. For example, R. Lee Ermey plays a shifty televangelist who has several hilarious experiences with Chase and matches him very well. Julianne Phillips plays the televangelist’s daughter and reveals an interesting personality that makes it easier for Chase to be creative. Cleavon Little plays a character that is supposed to be a simpleton but understands the local environment a lot better than those that are supposed to be smarter than him. In other words, Fletch Lives is a far more balanced film.

Ritchie’s direction is, as expected, solid. However, Fletch Lives does not have any great-looking urban action material. This is not something that makes it less attractive, rather it gives it a somewhat different vibe, which obviously was unavoidable given the drastic change of the scenery.

Ritchie shot Fletch Lives with a different cinematographer, John McPherson. Fletch Lives remained their one and only collaboration. Harold Faltermeyer’s terrific main theme is again very effectively used.

Fletch Lives Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Fletch Lives arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from an exclusive new 2K master that was struck from an interpositive. The quality of this master is practically identical to that of the one that was created for Fletch. I think that it is very good, though there are a few areas that could be even better. For example, while the entire film has a very attractive organic appearance, some visuals look just a tad softer than they should. In darker areas, some nuances are not as convincing as they need to be, too. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections, but grain exposure can be better. Color balance is excellent. All primaries and all supporting nuances are set properly, which is why there are no anomalies with the color temperature of the visuals. However, saturation levels can be even better. Image stability is excellent. I noticed a few small blemishes, but there are no large damage marks, cuts, warped or torn frames to report. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Fletch Lives Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the entire film with the English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. The most impressive dynamic intensity is in the sequence where the bikers chase Fletch and his new girlfriend. Elsewhere, there are some interesting contrasts as well, but the activities are different and so are the opportunities to impress. The dialog is always clear, sharp, and stable. At the moment, I think that any future improvements will be cosmetic.

Fletch Lives Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Bryan Reesman and Max Evry.

• Fletch Lives - presented here is an archival program on the making of Fletch Lives with clips from interviews with Chevy Chase, Michael Ritchie, and Julianne Phillips, as well as raw footage from the shooting process. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Fletch Lives: Chevy Chase Profile - in this archival program, Chevy Chase quickly addresses a few of his more interesting transformations. Michael Ritchie comments as well. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Fletch Lives: Julianne Phillips Profile - in this archival program, Julianne Phillips quickly addresses the character she plays in Fletch Lives. Chevy Chase and Michael Ritchie comment as well. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for Fletch Lives. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• TV Spots - presented here are a couple of vintage TV spots for Fletch Lives. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

Fletch Lives Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Even though Fletch Lives does a few things differently, it works as well as the original film. In fact, the greater freedom and time in front of the camera the supporting cast enjoys makes it a slightly more balanced film, which is a good thing. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from an exclusive new, very good 2K master, so consider upgrading Fletch Lives as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.