Steamboat Bill, Jr. Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Steamboat Bill, Jr. Blu-ray Movie Review

For many, 1928’s “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” is Buster Keaton’s most famous film, containing a harrowing gag that features the star remaining in-character and in position as the front of a house falls down directly on him, emerging unscathed thanks to a carefully situated open window. It’s a miracle shot that defines Keaton’s strengths as a fearless conduction of insane physical comedy, and it’s a perfect punctuation on a wildly entertaining picture that gives the actor plenty of mischief to manage and slapstick peril to survive.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Another "2K restoration" from Lobster Films, the AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation handles the needs of "Steamboat Bill, Jr." quite well, offering as clear a view as possible with aged elements, which have been cleaned up and stabilized to satisfaction. Mild flicker and speckling remain, but overall detail is encouraging, permitting viewers to really study the construction of the feature, especially its cyclone finale. Costume textures and location distances are also preserved. Cinematographic balance is appealing, never threatening delineation.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For the 2.0 LPCM sound event, listeners can choose between scores by Timothy Brock (orchestral) and Lee Erwin (organ). While both tracks are enjoyable, Erwin's does have some age on it, with Brock's the more defined, expansive offering. Either way, musical needs are met with lively, communicative performances, helping to sweeten gags and articulate emotion.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Michael Schlesinger and Stan Taffel.

• Introduction (4:22, HD) introduces Lobster Films representative Serge Bromberg, who welcomes viewers to the "Steamboat Bill, Jr." HD experience. Bromberg discusses the restoration process, which involved the discovery of a workprint in James Mason's utility room, and the labor involved with the removal of a printing error, restoring the feature back to its original framing after decades of cropped presentations.

• Vintage Alka-Seltzer Commercial (1:04, SD) reunites Buster Keaton and Speedy, with the comedian now facing digestive issues while commanding a ship, in need of quick relief.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Steamboat Bill, Jr." was once another loss for Keaton, who found himself in a difficult career position when the picture failed to stir up much interest at the box office. Creatively, it's a lively effort that snowballs impressively, leading to the aforementioned cyclone finale, which challenges Keaton to wow viewers through a mix of silliness and spectacle.