The Incredible Shrinking Woman Blu-ray Review

Video Presentation Review: "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" Blu-Ray

Shout Factory's Blu-Ray release of "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" boasts a recently struck high-definition transfer supplied by Universal. Although it does not claim a full 2K restoration, the Blu-Ray delivers a solid visual performance. The film, originally characterized by its intentionally soft focus and heavy grain to evoke a dreamy suburban aesthetic, maintains this hazy look in the high-definition transfer. Contrast levels are notably high, similar to previous home video releases, resulting in some washed-out black levels. However, colors are vibrant and well saturated, showcasing the burnished tones typical of the late 70s and early 80s.

Technical aspects of the transfer include an MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 with an average video bitrate of 29999 kbps and a total disc bitrate of 33.33 Mbps. There is evidence of varying visual quality due to the inconsistent source elements used. The infamous opening scene remains overly grained and grungy, but post-supermarket visuals improve significantly. Some scenes alternately exhibit fine detail and intentioned softness, reflecting Schumacher's stylistic choice to differentiate suburban life from the sharper environment of the World Management lab.

Despite being sourced from a dated master, the high-definition scan reveals intrinsic film artifacts and coarse grain structure that haven't been cleaned-up thoroughly. The image stability presents occasional flickering with frequent dirt and blips marring the frame. Designer colors, prominently featured in key suburban scenes, are among the strongest aspects of this release. Overall, while far from flawless, the Blu-Ray faithfully replicates the source material's original aesthetic, ensuring "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" looks better than ever on home video.

The audio presentation of "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" on Blu-ray maintains the integrity of its original 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track, functioning aptly for an 80s comedy. The dialogue-focused track is upfront, well-articulated through the two main channels, although it occasionally exhibits a mild top-end buzz, rendering some vocals slightly sharp. Despite these minor imperfections, the overall vocal clarity remains strong. Ambient effects are sparsely used but contribute to a modestly immersive front sound stage.

The monaural composition inherently lacks expansive audio elements such as LFE, surrounds, or significant immersion, reflecting the limited range and depth typical of older recordings. However, the source material has been preserved in commendably good condition. Suzanne Ciani's score, characterized by commercial jingles and catchy disco tunes including "Galaxy Glue," showcases decent fidelity and subtle front-channel range, enriching the overall auditory experience. Additionally, English SDH subtitles are available, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" offer an in-depth, engaging look into the film's production and creative process. Highlights include an enlightening conversation with Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner, where they discuss limitations and collaborative anecdotes, alongside director Joel Schumacher's retrospective on joining the project and interacting with the cast. Cinematographer Bruce Logan provides a highly detailed account of his technical contributions, including the use of VistaVision projectors. Composer Suzanne Ciani's audio interview reveals her methodology in crafting the film’s music. Additionally, the disc features a nostalgic location comparison featurette, a deleted scene, the theatrical trailer, and a comprehensive still gallery. Together, these extras enhance appreciation for the film’s artistic and technical efforts.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Conversation With Actress Lily Tomlin And Writer/Executive Producer Jane Wagner: Insightful discussion on film's production.
• Interview With Director Joel Schumacher: Reflections on filmmaking and actor collaboration.
• Interview With Cinematographer And Visual Effects Supervisor Bruce Logan: Detailed explanation of visual effects techniques.
• Audio Interview With Composer Suzanne Ciani: Analysis of music composition for the film.
• On Location: Now And Then Featurette: Comparison of movie locations then and now.
• Edith Ann Deleted Scene: Omitted scene.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer.
• Still Gallery: Slide show of production photos and official press kit images.

"The Incredible Shrinking Woman" serves as an ambitious yet uneven comedic take on the 1957 classic "The Incredible Shrinking Man." Directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Jane Wagner, the film is a vehicle for Lily Tomlin, who stars as Pat Kramer, a suburban housewife beset by the unintended effects of modern consumer products. The plot hinges on Tomlin's knack for physical comedy and her ability to portray multiple characters, including her meddlesome neighbor and a switchboard operator. Despite high-energy performances and a sharp commentary on consumerism and chemical exposure, the movie struggles to maintain its initial momentum, sagging notably in its second act.

The production of "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" was marked by its complex visual effects and satire on marketing, originally drafted with pointed political critique by Wagner. However, budget constraints led to a scaled-back version helmed by Schumacher in his directorial debut. The film opens with Pat being exposed to various household chemicals, causing her to shrink progressively and setting off a series of comedic situations. As Pat's size decreases, her predicament attracts media attention, straining her relationship with her husband Vance (Charles Grodin) and culminating in her kidnapping by an ominous organization bent on using her unique condition for world domination.

Tomlin’s multifaceted performance shines through the film's more uneven patches, complemented by memorable supporting roles from Charles Grodin as the distant husband and Ned Beatty as a nefarious corporate executive. Special mention goes to Rick Baker, whose portrayal of Sidney the intelligent gorilla provides some of the film's standout moments. While "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" captures some of the nostalgia and irreverence of its era, the narrative drags midway, and some subplots feel underdeveloped. Nevertheless, it remains an entertaining piece of 80s cinema distinguished by its quirky humor and creative premise.

Shout Factory’s Blu Ray release of "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" encapsulates the nostalgic charm that the 1980s brought to the silver screen. Directed by Joel Schumacher and featuring a stellar performance by Lily Tomlin, the film makes for an entertaining revisit for those who fondly remember the era's quirky comedies. The screenplay, based on Richard Mattheson's novel and adapted by Jane Wagner, might come across as somewhat fragmented, reflecting the adjustments made to cater to a broader audience. Yet, Schumacher’s maiden venture behind the camera manages to deliver a visually compelling narrative, accentuated by Bruce Logan's commendable work on visual effects despite the era's technological constraints.

From a technical perspective, this Blu Ray edition offers a mixed bag. The 1.85:1 AVC encoded transfer, though commendable considering the limited source material, reveals an opportunity for further restoration to enhance visual quality. Audio is presented in DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono, suitable for preserving the original sound design but perhaps lacking in delivering the immersive experience modern home theater enthusiasts expect. Inclusively, Shout Factory enriches this release with an assortment of new extras that should excite collectors and fans.

The Incredible Shrinking Woman is one of those 80s hits that made a big splash when it first came out, but faded into obscurity after the hubbub had died down. I remember watching the movie on TV years ago and loved it back then, but have realized that my childhood film has aged just a little bit as I get older. The jaunt is still quite a bit of fun and has Joel Schumacher’s goofy charm all over it, so it makes for a fun nostalgic watch for those of us who grew up with these awesome movies from the 80s. The technical specs from Shout Factory aren’t perfect, but considering how the movie was shot, and limited source material available, they did a great job assembling this collector’s edition and it looks and sounds the best it has ever been.