Bowfinger (1999) - Universal Pictures

Director : Frank Oz

Starring : Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Christine Baranski and Terence Stamp

Picture 1.85:1 Anamorphic, DD 5.1, DTS, Dual-Layer single side, Keep Case

Running Time : 97 mins

The story:

The con is on.

Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) is Hollywood's least successful director. Bowfinger International Pictures is rapidly approaching bankruptcy and the only way to turn it around is to enlist the help of Hollywood's biggest star Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) to make the years hottest movie. Unfortunately Kit does not wants to be in it - But that does not deter Bowfinger. He signs up Kits nerdy brother Kip (also Murphy) and sets about making the film with his life savings (about $1200!). What results is an eclectic, clever comedy about one mans quest to get the film in the can, no matter what the consequence.

The summary:

This is suprisingly the first time that Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin have worked together and I was expecting much of the best double act since bread met butter. Unfortunately the humour in this one is more of the subdued variety. Now that's not to say that this is not a funny film, It is but it just does not make you laugh in the way it should. The idea for the film is excellently scripted by Martin and cohesively brought to the screen by Frank Oz. But Sadly I expected more than it delivers. Steve Martin plays his all too familiar run of the mill guy role (wheres the funny, crazy guy gone) and whilst Eddie Murphy is superb as the nerdy Kip he just he plods along almost acting by numbers when playing Hollywood's rich talent, Kit......Maybe that's irony in its strongest form. Anyway on the whole this film does entertain with some truly memorable comedy moments and great acting by some of its co stars (Chrstine Baranski, Heather Graham and the wonderful dog !). Rent it, laugh at it and then move on.

Extras:

* Spotlight on location - 23 minute making of featurette. Some interesting interviews.

* Directors commentray - Frank Oz sets out to explain his reasons for blessing us with this film - - without sounding too much like yoda! surprisingly good.

* Deleted Scenes - A selection of scenes that never made it into the film and you can mostly see why !

* Outtakes - Now this is a part of the disc I was looking forward to. Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin and outtakes - Normally a superb combination. But it seems that they are not quite as funny as we may have expected. More an extension of the deleted scenes than anything side-splitting. Disappointing.

* Theatrical Trailer - Well it certainly is.

* Cast & Crew - informative and nicely laid out.

* Production notes - Describes in detail the events between Martin writing the script and it eventually being cast, shot and released.

* Universal showcase - The Hurricane, starring Denzel Washington.

* Recommendations - Trailers for most recent Martin and Murphy filsm plus Universal comedies.

* DVD-ROM - Pretty poor dvd-rom features. Really just the production notes with a few extras tacked on the side. Still nice to have these included though. Should be de rigour these days.

Our Verdict...

A clever pastiche on Hollywood film making. Echoes of Ed Wood, but still an enjoyable comedy nevertheless. Could have done with more classic Steve Martin. 5.5/10

Very crisp and clear with a superb richness of colour throughout. 9/10

Although this is not really a system testing action stunner, it does frequently make good use of the 5.1 Sountrack. Check out the speeding cars in the road crossing scene. Also the inclusion of a DTS soundtrack as well is very impressive. 8/10

A Very good animated menu links this good package of extras together. Two Making of's, outtakes and deleted scenes plus the addition of DVD-ROM bits and pieces. 8/10

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