5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
The murder of a millionaire has unexpectedly humorous results in this farcical comedy.
Starring: John Candy, Sean Young, Cybill Shepherd, Jim Belushi, Eugene LevyMystery | 100% |
Comedy | 8% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 2.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
We all know Eugene Levy as an ace comedian with a lengthy history of dynamite performances, even securing legend status with his work on “SCTV.” However, in the 1990s, Levy was looking to build a directorial career for himself, stepping behind the camera to try his hand at crafting funny business using his distinctive sense of humor. 1992’s “Once Upon a Crime” is Levy’s big feature-length helming debut, and to secure some interest in the creative endeavor, he’s collected quite a cast to help bring the screenplay (co-written by Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers) to life. Trouble is, “Once Upon a Crime” fails to follow through on its initial promise, with Levy so concerned about achieving the speed of a proper farce, he misses nailing as many jokes as possible. The picture isn’t very funny, which feels like a crime itself, wasting considerable talents on fruitless mischief often performed at top volume. One can easily sense Levy’s intent with the project, but the results are disheartening to watch.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a decidedly older scan of "Once Upon a Crime." It's a soft viewing experience, with fine detail difficult to find, leaving only the most direct of close-ups delivering any sort of natural facial surfaces. Most texture is lacking, rendering costuming uneventful and locations flat. Casino interiors offer little depth and clarity of decoration. Colors are also lacking in life, with primaries failing to add oomph to the image, while skintones slip into an unnatural ruddiness on occasion. Greenery is adequate, best served in broad daylight. Delineation is hampered by crush, and some evening adventures aren't defined in full. Source is in decent shape, without major elements of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a fuller sound for scoring cues, which emerge with power and compelling instrumentation. However, there's also elevated volume, which competes with performances during a handful of scenes, making some dialogue tricky to hear. This is likely an inherent issue, as the picture works to sell the bustling vibe of casino floors and madcap antics. Performances remain acceptable, grasping broad behaviors and screamed one-liners. Group entanglements are also passably managed. Atmospherics are louder, finding street travel lively with activity.
"Once Upon a Crime" is competently assembled with fine tech credits, but laughs, substantial ones, are few and far between. Levy is capable of triggering hysterics on his own (and continues to do so with a cameo as a casino cashier), which makes his inability to stir up proper funny business one of the many frustrating aspects about the movie. The actors are mostly game to go wherever their leader demands, but the destinations are often insignificant, with the effort's farcical intent watered down by a plot that's not as robust as initially imagined. "Once Upon a Crime" fizzles out long before it's over, trying to coast on nervous energy, but what the film really needs is focus, recognizing that it's not the murder mystery that fuels entertainment value, but the chance to watch a unique assortment of thespians bounce off one another for 90 minutes in a gorgeous corner of the world. Levy gave up his directorial ambitions soon after the release of the feature, and it's a loss, with his expert timing and sense of the absurd coming through clearly in a few scenes, merely in need of practice to bring it out in full.
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