Directed by: Jonathan Lynn
Starring: Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Brennan, Michael McKean, Colleen Camp, Madeline Khan
MPAA Rating: PG
Distributed by: Paramount
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Running Time: 94 minutes
Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1/2 out of 5 stars
“Clue” may not be one of the biggest hits of all-time but I have been watching it just under 30 years now. It also seems to get better and better with each viewing. In fact I still have my VHS copy of the film, so this Blu-ray upgrade is really worth the price of purchase…as long as you don’t care there are no special features (more on that later). I think that I can quote this film for hours…every line is magic, courtesy of Jonathan Lynn and John Landis. The cast is great and still such a riot featuring the comic talent of Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean and the late Madeline Khan. I look forward to sharing this film with my daughter as she grows up.
“Clue” is a very silly whodunit adaption of the classic Parker Brothers board game. We meet a cast of colorful people including Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, Ms. Scarlet, Mr. White and Mr. Green, who are all being blackmailed. They are gathered in a mansion and end up having to solve a string of murder but which one of them is the killer. The movie also sets a history record with three different endings, each one funnier than the last.
Let’s talk about the Blu-ray presentation now. The film itself never looked so good. It was always rather dark but this is a great upgrade from the old DVD. The 1080p transfer is sharp and the amount of noise is barely noticeable. Great job Paramount! The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono audio track works perfectly with this film and especially with John Morris’ classic score. So next up is special features and they list the three alternate endings as a bonus features but I don’t agree. Those endings were included as part of the film itself in the original VHS release, so I am not buying it. Lastly there is also a theatrical trailer included. I wish they would have put a lot more effort into extras, maybe for the upcoming 30th anniversary.