Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Sgt. Bilko Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 13, 2020

Director Jonathan Lynn's (Clue, My Cousin Vinny) 1996 Comedy Sgt. Bilko has its roots in the popular 1950s TV show The Phil Silvers Show which was often simply called "Bilko." The film adaptation shares many of the same character basics and arcing plot dynamics but has been, of course, updated for modern audiences and times, with advanced military technology the center around which much of the humor revolves. The film plays well in isolation, particularly as a vehicle for Martin, one of his generation's most gifted Comedians, to shine, but so much of the noise around him ultimately amounts to little of value.

At Fort Baxter, Sgt. Bilko (Steve Martin) doesn’t really take his role in this man’s army very seriously. Rather than whip his men into fighting shape, or at least ensure they’re the best of the best in the mechanic’s pool, he spends his days hosting illicit gambling opportunities, playing golf around base, and making a mockery of the military way of life. His men are lazy, slovenly, and incapable of performing even basic military functions. A new recruit, a mechanic named Private Holbrook (Daryl Mitchell), disrupts the flow and flavor of Bilko’s lax structure. He’s a red-blooded American who treasures discipline, organization, and respect for the rank and the uniform: unlike everyone else around him, he’s on the straight-and-narrow. He refuses to turn away from his strict adherence to protocol, but Bilko can handle him. Bilko’s real problem comes by way of Major Colin Thorn (Phil Hartman), an officer who once inadvertently took the fall for one of Bilko’s schemes. With the Major breathing down his neck and looking for any and every opportunity to return the favor and ruin Bilko’s career, the base teeters on closure as it struggles to get a highly advanced weapon operational on the proving grounds.

Martin carries the movie almost singlehandedly; almost everything, and everyone, else is ancillary to his command performance of the classic character. He is not challenged by the part, but it falls right into his wheelhouse. He’s obviously comfortable with the role, which allows him ample opportunity to emote with his familiar verbal and physical cadences while still falling firmly and believably into character. Here, Martin proves himself as one of those talents capable of holding to a core familiarity yet full defining his character specific to this film. The supporting cast is excellent even as they fall well behind Martin's work; Hartman and Dan Aykroyd, the latter playing an officer who chooses to look the other way when Bilko’s antics land the base in trouble, play well with Martin, particularly Hartman who builds a tangible, seething hatred for his rival that burns the screen, but never too hot as to drive the movie away from the lighthearted antics that define it.

Though it’s fun in its frivolity and capable in its construction, Sgt. Bilko lacks the dynamism and wit found in another screwball Army Comedy, Stripes. Much of that can be attributed to, there, a superior script and a slightly better cast, but in most any category Bilko just can’t match it: not in theatrics, not in laughs, not in performance excellence. But the film plays well within itself, particularly when the men are forced to whip themselves into shape, on a moment’s notice and even only then for a brief period of time, to survive a surprise inspection or pretend to be working when they’re once again goofing around. It’s a modestly enjoyable romp, no classic for sure but the fine work from Martin and a few good turns from the supporting cast keep the movie lively and likeable throughout.

Sgt. Bilko Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Universal's Sgt. Bilko 1080p transfer is not a disaster, but neither would it be appropriate to call it quality work. Disappointment, yes, and far from perfect, but the studio has released far worse in the past. The picture shows signs of classic digital processing that plague so many of the Universal's catalogue efforts, including smoothing, sharpening, and edge enhancement. It lacks the crisp definition and desirable filmic veneer, leaving behind a capable but downgraded image where a pleasant, organically grainy picture should be. Overall clarity is fine and details remain hearty though certainly not healthy. The image has not been denoised to excess to be sure – there are not really an plastic-like textures to be found – but things could certainly be improved. Colors are likewise good but not great. They lack nuance but not pop, offering bold output that is absent fine-point finesse. That's the real story here. Everything is OK, nothing is great. At least there is not much in the way of print deterioration or encode issues, like macroblocking. It's watchable, but don't expect the next great catalogue release.

Sgt. Bilko Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sgt. Bilko's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack offers a fairly lively output with music over the opening tug-of-war between Doberman and a horse spilling into the stage with verve and vigor, plenty of front side width and a hearty surround component, too. It intermixes with surrounding crowd din to quality immersive effect. Music is always well versed, perhaps lacking the finest fidelity though certainly giving the listening audience its money's worth. There are plenty of other well defined and high energy sounds to enjoy throughout. Helicopter rotors slice through the stage in chapter three (and at two or three more points within the film) to immersive, seamless surround usage. The track offers positive depth to the explosions during the tank test sequence late in the film, which is followed by cold, blustery winds in a shot in Greenland that pushes across the stage to momentarily chilling effect. Dialogue presents well in all areas of concern.

Sgt. Bilko Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Sgt. Bilko contains no supplemental content. There is no "top menu;" pressing that button on the remote simply restarts the movie. The "pop up menu" only offers crude selections for toggling subtitles on and off. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipover.

Sgt. Bilko Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sgt. Bilko plays well thanks to Martin's good work. He's not challenged, but because the movie allows him to work in an obvious comfort zone a modest effort is all that's required. A few solid supporting performances surround him, as do some scattered laughs. It's a watchable movie that offers the warm fuzzies of comfort cinema, a movie that is no legend but that is well worth a relaxing escape. Universal's featureless Blu-ray is unfortunately devoid of any and all supplemental content. The video quality falls in that gray area of "could be better, could be worse." Audio is fine. Worth a look.