Clue is one of those comedies that have stood the test of time. The actors are so funny and perfectly cast for their respective roles and despite being based on a board game, and as inane/forced as the plot is, it’s reasonably mysterious to go along with the comedy.
Clue: The Movie (1985)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Comedy, Crime
Paramount | PG – 86/87/96 min. – $19.99 | August 7, 2012
MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: Jonathan Lynn
Writer(s): John Landis and Jonathan Lynn (story), Jonathan Lynn (screenplay)
Cast: Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, Colleen Camp
Theatrical Release Date: December 13, 1985
DISC INFO:
Features: Alternate Endings, Theatrical Trailer
Number of Discs: 1
Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 1.0), French (Dolby Digital 1.0), Portuguese (Dolby Digital 1.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.78
Subtitles: English SDH, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Disc Size: NA
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Region(s): A, B, C
THE MOVIE – 3.75/5
Before it was popular to adapt every damn thing that crossed a studio exec’s desk from video games, comic books, cartoon series and board games, there was the 1985, Clue, based on the popular Parker Brothers’ board game. But where often the others failed, this crime-comedy succeeds in being a hilarious movie which never grows old and has stood the test of time. However, back then, it was hardly a box office hit netting a mere $14.6M (adjusts to $31.8M today).
Plot Synopsis: We open in the year 1954 at a secluded New England mansion where six strangers, using pseudonyms, meet for a night of dinner, idle chatter, blackmail and, of course, murder. The host for the night is butler Wadsworth (TIM CURRY) and the guests include Mrs. Peacock (EILEEN BRENNAN), Mrs. White (MADELINE KAHN), Professor Plum (CHRISTOPHER LLOYD), Mr. Green (MICHAEL MCKEAN), Colonel Mustard (MARTIN MULL) and Miss Scarlet (LESLEY ANN WARREN) and are joined by the sexy/well endowed maid, Yvette (COLLEEN CAMP).
While at first these six seem to have little in common but soon discover they are connected. The first is they each live or at least work in the Washington D.C. area and the second is that they each are being blackmailed by the same person, one Mr. Boddy (LEE VING). And there are connections between certain characters which are unveiled throughout the movie but as the bodies pile up, who is behind it all?
Quick Hit Review: I had seen Clue several years ago, probably back somewhere in the mid-90s, and as a kid I didn’t really “get” the comedy but seeing it again, I found it quite funny and it never lets up. Despite the silly premise and really lame way of introducing the murder weapons but in all the silliness, it all works thanks to the comedic timing of the entire cast… and having a sexy maid played by Colleen Camp doesn’t hurt matters.
If for whatever reason you have yet to see Clue, this is the right time to do so. It’s an incredibly funny crime-comedy and one of the few successful adaptations amongst so many others which have fallen flat.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.25/5
The disc includes an option to randomly play one of three endings or the multiple endings version (96-minutes) as well as watch the alternate endings on their own. Also included is the theatrical trailer.
VIDEO – 4.0/5
Given Clue is creeping closer to its 30 year anniversary (2015 isn’t that far away) this isn’t a bad looking transfer. The movie sleuths and blackmails its way onto Blu-ray with a nice looking 1080p picture and presented with a 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio. Black levels are mostly impressive and I noticed no obvious signs of artifacts, pixilation or even studio tinkering around such as edge enhancement. It might not exactly be a striking HD transfer but it’s more than serviceable. Is it worth an upgrade over the DVD? Eh, not sure about that unless you can nab this for around $8.
AUDIO – 2.75/5
The Mono DTS-HD Master Audio isn’t bad but nothing incredible either. As you can imagine, the single channel track has all the action and dialogue coming from the center speaker so it’s not going to exactly engulf the room but at the same time, it’s certainly adequate.
OVERALL – 3.0/5
Overall, Clue is one of those comedies that have stood the test of time. The actors are so funny and perfectly cast for their respective roles and despite being based on a board game, and as inane/forced as the plot is, it’s reasonably mysterious to go along with the comedy. The Blu-ray offers up a nice high-definition video transfer and although the audio isn’t the greatest, it’s still OK. If you can pick this up for under $10, it’s probably worth it.
The Movieman
Published: 07/27/2012