Reviewed - 15th January 2002 by PCL

Bling Bling (2001) - Talkback/VCI

Director : James Bobin

Starring : Sacha Baron Cohen and various others

Picture 16:9 Anamorphic, DD 2.0, Single-Side, Single Layer, Keep Case

Running Time : 97 mins

The story:

Recognize !

Ali is back meeting unsuspecting celebrities with no idea who he is, these interviews are as unforgettable as the classic original 11 o'clock Show interviews. Included is an interview with former U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig, Ali's stunning encounter with "real life" ER surgeons, his on-location guide to gang warfare in South Central L.A. and other favourite USA moments never previously released. Also including Ali's interview with Posh & Becks filmed for Comic Relief and Borats homecoming saga.


The summary:

Some men can ridicule, Some men can debate, only one man can do both in his own inimitable stylie. Once again we must all big it up for the leader of the Staines massive to herald in another collection of his interviews and clips. Aiiii.

Can another DVD from Sacha Baron Cohen's comic creation really be as good as the first two ? Well not quite. Although Ali is as immensely watchable as he has always been this does feel a little bit more like something to fill the gap until his cinematic debut is released during March 2002. What you get is practically all the stuff left over from Da Ali G show and the rest of the 11 o clock show interviews plus a few moments from the Ali/Borat special on E4 opening night last year. Lastly you get the Posh and Becks interview from comic relief. Now that isn't to say that you won't find it funny. On the contrary. Some of Ali's funniest moments are included. It just smacks of a certain cash in value that's all. Something to keep you interested until the film comes out. It will still be a vital part of any Ali fan and notable highlights are most definitely the Posh and Becks interview and Borats hilarious foray into the world of bowls.

The DVD is of acceptable quality for a TV show and offers good Dolby Digital stereo. The extra's are disappointing, with the trailer being no more than a 20 second teaser and the remainder being extra versions of bits in the main feature. That said it is still a must have for Ali G fans.

Extras:

* Extended Interviews - Expanded versions of some of the interviews already seen plus a few other pieces not included in the main feature. Feels like it was just left off so it could be advertised as an extra. Includes a disappointing teaser for the cinema release, Ali G in Da House.

 


Our Verdict...


Ali G is already a classic and this latest compilation is another cracking collection. Not quite as good as the previous two but still worth a look. 6.5/10



A good clear picture despite its TV roots. 7/10



Audio is adequate and does its job well enough. 2.0 Stereo that is more than a match for usual TV fodder. 7/10



Extras are a bit of a travesty being nothing more than some extended interviews and a trailer all lumped together. Disappointing. 2/10




61%

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