7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The Pythons redo their old sketches in their last show ever.
Starring: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones (I), Michael PalinMusical | 100% |
Comedy | 79% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Trust those insouciant boys of Monty Python’s Flying Circus to make fun of their own impending mortality (not to mention the already achieved mortality of former member Graham Chapman) by subtitling their 2014 live show One Down, Five to Go. Chapman is still very much in evidence courtesy of both new animated fare by Python regular Terry Gilliam as well as a host of archival material, and the other members of the now legendary comedy troupe are very much alive and kicking, leading a large and appreciative audience (in London’s vast O2) through a series of recreations of some iconic skits, video elements which present some material from Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ heyday, and just for good measure some new material. There’s a certain wistfulness that suffuses this performance (actually culled from a string of ten performances held over the course of three or so weeks in July), as well as a reliance on a bit more blue material than tended to creep into the episodic television work (and probably even the films) of the Pythons, but as might be expected, it’s frequently laugh out loud hilarious and is a welcome reminder of just how innovative this team of comedians was and continues to be.
Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Vision (an imprint of Eagle Rock Entertainment) with an AVC encoded 1080i transfer in 1.78:1. Broadcast on television both in the UK and stateside, this offering is decently if not overwhelmingly sharp and detailed looking, though only close-ups really provide a wealth of fine detail. When the camera does get up close and personal to various participants, things like the craggy lines of Palin's face or the fuzzy ambience of a kangaroo costume (don't ask) offer excellent fine detail. Colors are very nicely saturated, with some of the luxe trappings of the stage show popping very well. Midrange and wide shots are a bit on the soft side at times. There are occasional slight issues with combing artifacts during some of the more manic elements like some of the choreography.
Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go features nice sounding LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mixes. The 5.1 mix significantly opens up the big production numbers, with a better accounting of the balance between the live orchestra (mostly keyboards, sadly, as is the case nowadays) and the ensemble. There's occasional good directionality when performers are widely splayed on the immense O2 stage. Dialogue comes through very clearly and the rapturous response of the audience sounds lifelike without ever overwhelming the actual action onstage.
Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go is at times perhaps a bit more bittersweet than it should be, but it still delivers lots of laughs, at least for those who don't mind repeated references to so-called "naughty bits". The show is well assembled, offering peeks at many iconic skits from yesteryear with some recreations onstage and a few new elements as well. The surviving Pythons are all in fine form, and while this show pales in comparison to the television series and many of the films, it's still hugely enjoyable. Recommended.
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