Death to Smoochy Blu-ray Review
Score: 82
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Despite its miscasting and awkward humor, Death to Smoochy’s 2K remaster by Shout Studios with new interviews offers a chance for rediscovery.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 81
The 2024 2K restoration of Death to Smoochy, with an AVC encoded 1.85:1 presentation, offers vivid colors and sharp detail, maintaining the film's vibrant aesthetic. Although not a 4K remaster, Shout Studios delivers a high bitrate with satisfactory compression and well-preserved set designs, ensuring a striking Blu-ray debut.
Audio: 86
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track captures crisp dialogue and distinct soundtrack selection with mild surround effects and poco low-end activity, while the optional 2.0 surround mix offers a more balanced audio experience. Both maintain high fidelity and quality, typical of early 2000s theatrical presentations.
Extra: 86
Death to Smoochy's Blu-ray extras offer insightful commentary from director Danny DeVito and cinematographer Anastas Michos, alongside engaging interviews with actor Danny Woodburn, costume designer Jane Ruhm, and composer David Newman, each reflecting on the film's unique production and release challenges.
Movie: 61
Death to Smoochy, directed by Danny DeVito and starring Robin Williams and Edward Norton, offers a sharp premise and impeccable direction but ultimately struggles with an overlong runtime and inconsistent comedic impact. Despite a dynamic visual style and standout performances, the film's potential is hindered by overcrowded plotlines and lack of sustained humor.
Video: 81
The AVC encoded image presentation for "Death to Smoochy," showcasing a New 2024 2K restoration of the interpositive, delivers a vivid and visually compelling viewing experience. The film's 1.85:1 aspect ratio is preserved, with striking hues that bring out the primary world of children’s television through vibrant costuming and lighting. The cooler New York City streets are also well-defined, capturing sharp wintertime moments amidst the concrete jungle. Shout Studios and Warner Bros. have ensured that skin tones appear natural, with details meticulously rendering the aging of characters and the fibrous textures of their clothing. Office and stage interiors add depth and richness, preserving the intricacies of set designs while maintaining satisfactory delineation.
Presented through a collaboration between Shout Studios and Warner Bros., this 2K remaster is encoded at a high bitrate averaging 32mbps and retains a thin layer of grain, adding to the authentic filmic experience. The source material is in good condition, holding compression well throughout the feature. While some sections, such as certain greenscreen shots and time-lapse sequences, display minor digital artifacts, these instances are rare and do not detract from the overall quality. Interior scenes, especially in the television studio, are bright and colorful, contrasting effectively with the darker, shadowed segments of the film. Despite some desires for a full 4K remaster from the original camera negative, this release is likely to exceed expectations, presenting "Death to Smoochy" in visually impressive form that could arguably surpass its original screening quality.
Audio: 86
The audio presentation of the "Death to Smoochy" Blu-ray, boasting both DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks, effectively preserves the film’s comedic charm through crisp, front-directed dialogue exchanges. The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track, typical for non-action films of its era, concentrates heavily on the center channel for dialogue while utilizing the remaining channels more for musical accompaniment and selective sound effects. This mix ensures that all spoken elements are beautifully clear, helping maintain the film’s engaging atmosphere.
The choice between the 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks comes down to a matter of personal preference, with some finding the 2.0 mix slightly more balanced in this instance. Despite its era, the film's fidelity and audio quality are impeccable, with no noticeable distortions or degradations. Key moments of scoring leverage fresh instrumentation and strategic positioning to create a subtle but immersive sound environment, though the surrounds play a more subdued role with occasional circular musical effects and dispersed sound effects. The low-end frequencies remain largely unchallenged, providing a stable but non-dominant bass presence.
Extras: 86
The Blu-ray edition of "Death to Smoochy" offers a robust selection of extras that will delight fans and cinephiles alike. With contributions from key members of the production team, these features provide a thorough behind-the-scenes look at the film. The commentary by Danny DeVito and cinematographer Anastas Michos provides insightful anecdotes and technical details about the filmmaking process. New interviews with actor Danny Woodburn, costume designer Jane Ruhm, and composer David Newman give intimate reflections on their experiences working on the film, their interactions with co-stars, and their thoughts on the film’s unique reception. Additionally, the disc includes a variety of deleted scenes, bloopers, behind-the-scenes footage, image galleries, and trailers that collectively enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film.
Extras included in this disc:
- Magic Moments: Interview with actor Danny Woodburn.
- Rainbow Stitch: Interview with costume designer Jane Ruhm.
- Symphony of Chaos: Interview with composer David Newman.
- Audio Commentary: Featuring director and producer Danny DeVito and cinematographer Anastas Michos.
- Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: Assorted filmmaking moments.
- Extended and Deleted Scenes: With contextual explanations.
- Bloopers and Outtakes: Featuring flubbed lines and laughing fits.
- Image Galleries: Various behind-the-scenes and promotional images.
- Theatrical Trailers: Includes both original and remastered versions.
Movie: 61
“Death to Smoochy” (2002), directed by Danny DeVito, is a complex black comedy that explores the darker side of children's television. The premise by Adam Resnick promises a satirical take on the ruthless world of kids' entertainment, featuring power struggles and ethical battles. Robin Williams is memorable as Rainbow Randolph, a disgraced children’s show host whose demise leads to the rise of Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton), an idealistic performer who becomes the new star, Smoochy the Rhino. Yet, despite the potent setup and notable performances, the film’s comedic execution often falls flat. DeVito excels in attention to cinematic details, creating a visually dynamic experience, but the movie's humor struggles to maintain momentum across its overlong runtime.
The narrative tracks Randolph’s descent into madness as he attempts to sabotage Sheldon’s burgeoning career. Norton’s portrayal of Mopes with an unwavering moral compass juxtaposes well against the corrupt industry insiders like Nora (Catherine Keener), Marion (Jon Stewart), and Burke (DeVito). The ensemble cast, including notable character actors such as Harvey Fierstein and Pam Ferris, enriches the unfolding chaos. Moments intended for comedic escalation, however, often feel forced or miss their mark entirely. The film’s insistence on overcrowding its plot with subplots and secondary characters dilutes Randolph's menacing presence and detracts from Sheldon's heroism.
Where “Death to Smoochy” truly shines is in its direction and visual styling. DeVito's use of bright colors in the children's show sequences contrasts sharply with the moody lighting and eccentric angles of other scenes, evoking early Coen Brothers' or Sam Raimi films. This visual flair compensates for the narrative deficiencies, although one could argue that tightening the film’s 109-minute duration might have improved its comedic impact. Despite its flaws, the film’s potential brilliance lies in its sharp commentary and distinctive aesthetic, making it a fascinating, albeit uneven, attempt at dark comedy.
Total: 82
The Blu-ray release of "Death to Smoochy" offers a visually enhanced experience, courtesy of a polished 2K remaster by Shout Studios. This technical upgrade brings improved sharpness and clarity to the film's distinct cinematography, ensuring that each colorful and chaotic frame is rendered with newfound precision. The remastering effort is commendable, breathing new life into Danny DeVito's dark comedy while maintaining the visual integrity of the original presentation.
Performance-wise, the film features a mixed bag. Edward Norton, stepping outside his usual dramatic roles, struggles to hit comedic notes as Sheldon Mopes/Smoochy the Rhino. His performance feels misplaced and slightly forced, contrasting sharply with Catherine Keener's noticeably subdued portrayal of Nora Wells. Robin Williams, portraying the unhinged Randolph Smiley, infuses his character with manic energy. However, even his exceptional talent cannot fully elevate a screenplay that fumbles through its dark and absurd humor.
The movie ambitiously aims for a provocative narrative but often misfires, oscillating between edgy satire and awkward slapstick. Memorable sequences, such as the notorious Nazi rally scene, underline how the film strains to shock rather than organically entertain. Despite its potential, "Death to Smoochy" doesn't entirely succeed in its execution, leaving some viewers bewildered by its tonal inconsistencies and narrative detours.
In conclusion, while "Death to Smoochy" is a flawed piece of cinema, the Blu-ray release might attract a new generation of viewers due to its enhanced visual quality and supplementary interviews. For those willing to overlook its uneven performances and erratic pacing, this dark comedy may still offer unique insights and entertainment value. Shout Studios' home media efforts ensure that fans and curious newcomers alike have the best possible viewing experience.
Blu-ray.com review by Brian OrndorfRead review here
Video: 80
It's a primary world for the picture, with striking hues on costuming and lighting, preserving the rainbow world of children's television....
Audio: 80
Surrounds aren't terribly active, but some musical moods go mildly circular, and a few sound effects play with movement and separation....
Extras: 100
Behind the Scenes (7:38, SD) is a rather random assortment of filmmaking moments, but BTS energy is there, watching the production team at work pulling off director Danny DeVito's vision for "Death to...
Movie: 50
DeVito gets to the main conflict right away, and there are a plethora of characters to sort through in the feature, putting Sheldon on the fast-track to temptation as his "squeaky clean" lifestyle is challenged...
Total: 80
Williams is berserk as Randolph, but even his innate charms are left with little to do in the story, which loses interest in the battle of children's entertainment icons, preferring to deal with dangerous...
Home Theater Forum review by Patrick McCartRead review here
Video: 90
There’s a scene in a car between Sheldon and Randolph that looks strange due to greenscreen compositing and there’s also sections meant to look like part of the television show....
Audio: 100
The 5.1 track is typical of many non-action/adventure films of the time where it seems like most of the important audio is stuck to the center channel, with the rest used for music and sound effects....
Extras: 80
Shout Studios has filmed three new interviews for this Shout Select Blu-ray edition of Death to Smoochy: Magic Moments (12:42 HD) – Interview with actor Danny Woodburn (Angelo)....
Movie: 80
His success is meteoric, but Mopes’ resistance to corrupt agents and sponsors in favor of solid ethics and creative control put a target on his head....
Total: 80
Now that Death to Smoochy has had a few decades to find an audience, I think it’s time for people to rediscover it....
Director: Danny DeVito
Actors: Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener
PlotRainbow Randolph, a disgraced former children’s television host, is furious after losing his job due to a bribery scandal. In his place, the network brings in Sheldon Mopes, an earnest and straight-laced performer who dresses as a pink rhinoceros named Smoochy. Sheldon's genuine love for children and wholesome persona quickly endear him to the audience, making his show a hit. However, Randolph, consumed by jealousy and anger, vows to sabotage Smoochy's career and reclaim his position. As Sheldon navigates his newfound fame, he faces pressure and manipulation from various figures in the entertainment industry who see him as a means to achieve their own sinister goals.
The network's ruthless executive, Nora Wells, becomes entangled in Sheldon's world, both professionally and personally. As Sheldon tries to maintain his integrity amidst mounting chaos, he gets caught in a dangerous web of corruption and deceit involving the underbelly of the children's entertainment industry. Meanwhile, Randolph's increasingly desperate attempts to destroy Smoochy lead to a series of darkly comedic events. Each character's actions spiral deeper into a mix of moral compromise and unexpected alliances. The tension rises as everyone reveals how far they are willing to go for power, fame, and revenge, setting the stage for an explosive confrontation.
Writers: Adam Resnick
Release Date: 29 Mar 2002
Runtime: 109 min
Rating: R
Country: United Kingdom, Germany, United States, Canada
Language: English