Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 18, 2018

Jerry Belson's "Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again" (1982) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of independent distributors Olive Films. There are no supplemental features on the disc. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Spiked up

Before they started shooting The Trip Roger Corman and Henry Fonda took some LSD so that they know exactly what it feels like to be on the other side. Reputable sources have confirmed that Jack Nicholson and Dennis Hopper, both with short cameos in the film, could not resist and also did some ‘research work’. I am not an LSD expert and do not know exactly how the drug affects the mind’s ability to function properly, but while watching The Trip I could tell that Fonda, Nicholson, and Hopper were indeed acting.

Having just finished viewing Jerry Belson’s comedy Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again, which unabashedly mocks cocaine junkies, I can’t say with absolute certainty that everything that Mark Blankfield does in front of the camera is acting. A lot of the things that he does after his character becomes addicted to some suspicious white powder are simply way out there. Frankly, during the second half he appears so unhinged that if in fact he did not use a bit of nose candy to boost his performance then he should have received some sort of an award. Here he does not just look like a cokehead, he is one.

The fun begins in a prestigious medical facility where Dr. Daniel Jekyll (Blankfield) is working hard to develop a very special drug that will make it possible for his colleagues to stop performing risky surgeries. But during one of his experiments something goes terribly wrong and instead he creates a powerful drug that can temporarily alter people’s physical identities. Regardless of age, the drug also temporarily ramps up the libido and then blocks all native instincts that could potentially raise a red flag that while under its influence the body could be dangerously overperforming. Of course Dr. Jekyll realizes all of this after he accidentally swallows a large dose of the new drug and then, much to his surprise, becomes addicted to it. While Dr.Jekyll struggles with his addiction, an old incredibly wealthy, cranky, and mostly flat-out obnoxious patient who has been slowly dying in a private room not too far away from the doctor’s office demands that he is allowed to sample the powerful drug.

The film is so direct and so energetic that it is extremely difficult to remain indifferent to it. If you find what Blankenfield does during the opening fifteen to twenty minutes entertaining then there is an excellent chance that you would have a terrific time with his antics during the second half. Keep in mind, however, that the bulk of the material here can be better described as odd or goofy rather than genuinely funny. (To be perfectly clear, if you think that Richard W. Haines and Lloyd Kaufman’s Class of Nuke 'Em High is outrageously funny then this film should be right up your alley). Predictably, if during the same period you conclude that there is just too much ridiculous behavior on display, you should stop right there because after that things get progressively worse.

Like most comedies about drugs and drug addiction from the ‘80s Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again now looks very dated, but I am not at all convinced that this is actually a bad thing. The raunchy material, for instance, goes pretty far but it is not used to humiliate; it just adds more color and strengthens the desired atmosphere. (The scene with the silly donor who changes his mind and decides to donate both of his testicles instead of just one is a good example). Also, there isn’t even a whiff of political correctness, so this instantly makes anyone and anything a possible target and this feels very refreshing.

All in all, this isn’t the type of film to see with the whole family, but in most frat houses across the country it probably already has the reputation of a minor classic.

Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jerry Belson's Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films.

The release is struck from a remaster that was prepared by Paramount Pictures. If I had to guess, I would say that the element that was accessed was at least a generation away from the OCN because ideally density levels should be better. Excluding some minor but obvious limitations that become present during the indoor/darker footage, however, the bulk of the film looks quite nice. For example, depth is rather pleasing and clarity at around levels that I would consider very good. Light black crush is present in different areas, but even on a larger screen it never becomes overly distracting. Color balance is decent, but ideally saturation and nuances should be better. Image stability is good. Lastly, there are a few minor specks and scratches, and even a couple of small marks. All in all, this is a fine organic presentation of the film, but a brand new remaster will undoubtedly make the film look fresher and healthier. My score is 3.75/5.00. (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).

Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

There are no balance issues to report. Even more importantly, there are no serious age-related imperfections, such as background distortions or sporadic hum, to report. I like the dynamic intensity and during the action footage I think that there are a few rather impressive moments. There are no dropouts, hum, clicks, etc.

Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Most unfortunately, there are no bonus features on the disc.

Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Genre films like Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again can be effective only if they go all the way, which right now pretty much guarantees that someone will find something in it that is 'tasteless' or 'offensive'. I thought that the film went pretty far, but enjoyed every single minute of it because it was ruthless without being obnoxiously vulgar. (The fact that there is a huge difference between being obnoxiously vulgar and funny is something that an alarming number of contemporary comedians are unable to grasp, or more likely are unwilling to admit because it will instantly end their careers). Mark Blankfield leaves a lasting impression, though the skeptic in me almost has me convinced that not everything that he does in front of the camera is actually acting. Olive Films' release is sourced from a nice remaster, but does not have any bonus features. RECOMMENDED.