Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos Blu-ray Movie Review

Hooray for chaos.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 29, 2011

The fame went to his skull.

Comedian Jeff Dunham delivers with panache the old school staple of ventriloquist humor and bullrushes it into the 21st century in Controlled Chaos, a recording of a tour stop in Richmond, Virginia that hits all the high notes and brings together everything that's made Jeff such a wild success on Comedy Central. The Dallas, Texas native pulls out his fans' most-loved dolls for a ninety minute show that brings down the house and is sure to bring newcomers up to speed on what the world of Jeff Dunham is all about. It's crude and it's offensive but it's all done with a wink and a nod to often very funny results. No doubt it's not for everybody -- it's decidedly politically incorrect and there's plenty of foul language -- but audiences who can set aside any preconceived notions and laugh at the absurdity of the characters rather than become offended by the good-natured, 21st century-influenced humor will be rewarded with a unique and entertaining little slice of standup comedy that's quite unlike anything else going today.

Walter and Jeff.

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos begins with a short prerecorded skit featuring "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" arriving late to the show, but showing up in style in his custom new red car. Once the action shifts to the stage, Dunham opens with a brief history of his fascination with ventriloquism, which started back in 1970 and a Christmas gift that would shape his destiny and earn him millions of dollars and millions of fans. But the audience isn't there to see pictures of a young Jeff. They're there to see the real stars of the show, the bad-attitude, racist, sexist, and all around whacky puppet characters to whom Jeff lends his vocal talents. Appearing is the fan-favorite old curmudgeon Walter, who's all too happy to rail Jeff on his recent divorce and bluntly share his observations on the world in which he lives. Then there's Achmed the Dead Terrorist, the bony and deceased former suicide bomber just trying to live in a world where he's reviled by most and, well, dead. Jeff also allows the purple gorilla-like Peanut to come out to play, followed by the jalapaño on a stick, Jose. But there's a few surprises -- both intended and unintended -- along the way that are sure to become legendary pieces of the Jeff Dunham canon.

There are two elements that make Controlled Chaos an enjoyable watch. First, of course, is the humor, and second is the awe sure to be inspired at Dunham's true talents as a ventriloquist. As to the former first, the jokes are many and the exchanges between Dunham the man and Dunham the puppeteer are exceptionally well-scripted and enjoy a fantastic flow, but that's inching towards his skill rather than the jokes. More on that in a moment. Dunham and his gang of puppets know no bounds in their skits; just about every ethnic group becomes a target for derision, and some jokes are so anti-estabslihment, so off-the-wall, and so politically incorrect that some in the audience are bound to become infuriated rather than filled with laughter and joy at the mere thought of some of the things he says, things that in most other circles would have dire consequences in today's tight-lipped society that discourages, rightly or wrongly, such humor. But it's clear that Dunham has capably and efficiently separated his own personal truths from the jokes; his caricatures and the jokes they tell aren't meant to offend -- though that's clearly the case; there's an obvious audience hesitation to many of them, and it's clear when the laughter is of the nervous variety -- but rather lighten the issues surrounding them and not aggravate the problem.

But what's better than any of the humor -- lowbrow or otherwise -- is the talent level on display. Jeff Dunham's mastery of the ventriloquist style is a sight to behold. It's truly an amazing accomplishment that he can be in such control of so many faculties at once: physically controlling one or two puppets simultaneously while carrying on conversations that are seamless in the transition and faultless in the delivery. Dunham rarely loses control of himself or his puppets, keeping up appearances no matter how complex the gag or how quick the back-and-forth comes. The voices are as diverse and unique as the physical shape and appearance of the puppets themselves. Add to that some of them require multiple levels of control -- moving eyebrows to reinforce attitude, head and arm movements, and mouth manipulation -- and the necessary talent to perform at this level and keep it up for 90 minutes straight proves the real highlight of the show. Of course, there are a few moments where things don't seem to go as planned, but Dunham's ability to improvise and keep the show going despite a few hiccups along the way demonstrates a mastery of the medium that extends well beyond the ability to perform in one voice and with one doll. No matter one's thoughts on the style and content of the humor, there's no denying that Dunham's talent for ventriloquism comes along but once in a lifetime.

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos arrives on Blu-ray with an adequate 1080i, 1.78:1-framed transfer. The image is nowhere near film quality -- either 35mm or digital -- but it still delivers a stable watch and covers all the necessary elements to make for a fair enough transfer. Colors are steady and vibrant, revealing the fine-touch detail work on the puppets in making them look rosy, worn, or whatever shading the creators deemed necessary in bringing more life out of the lifeless dolls. Fine detail proves rather bland around the stage, but close-ups of the puppets show the precision handiwork that went into each one, whether Achmed's well-worn and exposed bones or Walter's ear hair and accumulated wax. Background noise is occasionally evident and present to a rather large degree, but there's little in the way of banding or other eyesores. This is a mundane image that adequately displays the material in a stable high definition frame that replicates the look and feel of an HD television broadcast, nothing more, nothing less.

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Much like its video counterpart, Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos features a decent but ultimately spartan Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. There's nothing much to the track aside from dialogue and crowd noise. The former is delivered with suitable clarity from the center channel, with each character's words coming through distinctly and cleanly. Applause can be a bit ungainly and unkempt. It's not all that immersive and the effect is front-heavy, which really doesn't immerse the listener into the auditorium. There's a good low end thump to the music that plays at show's end. It's also energetic and crisp, delivering what is probably the sonic highlight. Paramount's lossless soundtrack is certainly satisfactory, even if it is simply not reference material by its very limited nature.

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos contains a hodgepodge of short extras, and viewers may choose to watch the show either "bleeped" or "unbleeped."

• Bubba J Winery Tour (1080i, 2:24): Jeff Dunham and his puppet Bubba J tour a winery.
• Outtakes (1080i, 2:01): A few candid moments from the show featuring Dunham slipping out of form.
• The Necklace (1080i, 1:20): Dunham's necklace interferes with his microphone on several occasions.
• Share the Hair (1080i, 0:49): Peanut's hair winds up on a bald stagehand.
• Flirting with Victoria (1080i, 1:59): Dunham's makeup artist touches up the star while taking a few advances from Achmed.
• Tour Opens (1080i): Various characters -- including Dunham -- perform skits to open the show. Included are Backstage with Peanut (2:59), Achmed's Terrorist Video (2:49), and Getting Ready for the Tour (2:58).
• Dunham Goes Global (1080i, 3:42): A brief look at Dunham's various tour stops worldwide.
• Photo Shoot (1080i, 1:08): Dunham and friends get a few pictures taken.
• Making of the Achmedmobile (1080i, 13:45): Dunham provides some of the details of and shares the secrets behind the dead puppet terrorist's vehicle which debuted in Controlled Chaos.

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos is a funny show that's bound to offend some audience members. Dunham's style is straightforward and anything but reserved. It's clear his intent isn't to hate on or disparage various groups, but rather call attention to the absurdity of those who are prejudiced, racist, and tactless in the real world. Love the humor or not, though, the real highlight of Controlled Chaos is simply the skill level on display. Dunham is more than a pro; he's an all-time great at what he does, and he's worth checking out just to see the Michael Jordan, the Babe Ruth, the Mario Lemieux of ventriloquism at his best. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos features adequate video and audio that's paired with a few extras. Recommended to fans.