Once Upon a Crime... Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Once Upon a Crime..." through the AVC encoded image and a 1.85:1 aspect ratio hints at the film's age, presenting a visual experience that could be considered lacking in several areas. The detail level across the board is wanting, as the transfer struggles to bring out finer textures and nuances, especially in less than ideal lighting conditions. Close-up shots manage to reveal some degree of facial detail, but beyond these moments, the image often appears soft and devoid of the depth necessary to make the scenery and costumes pop. Interior scenes, notably those set within casinos, suffer from a lack of clarity and depth, which does little to enhance the ornate decorations one might expect in such settings.

Colors in the presentation are another area where vibrancy seems to have been sacrificed. The primaries fail to enliven the scenes with the expected vibrancy, and skin tones occasionally veer towards an unnatural ruddiness that can distract. While greenery is represented adequately—showcasing better results under ample lighting—the overall palette feels muted. Nighttime scenes are particularly affected by delineation issues, with shadow details getting lost amidst crush, obscuring finer details and adding to the visual flatness.

Despite these shortcomings, it's worth noting that the source material is in relatively good condition, devoid of significant damage or degradation. This does provide a clean base for the transfer, even if the ensuing video quality doesn't fully capitalize on this aspect. Viewing "Once Upon a Crime..." on Blu-ray offers an experience that is somewhat hampered by its visual presentation, lacking the necessary sharpness, depth, and color vibrancy that could have significantly enhanced the film's comedic and atmospheric elements.

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix on the Blu Ray of "Once Upon a Crime..." delivers an audio experience endowed with notable fullness, particularly in its handling of the scoring cues. These moments captivate with their powerful and layered instrumentation, elevating the overall atmosphere of the presentation. Despite these strengths, the audio mix is not without its challenges. There is an issue of elevated volume levels throughout, which at times overshadows the clarity of dialogue. This seems intrinsic to the audio design, aiming to encapsulate the chaotic energy of casino environments and the film's frenetic pace. Yet, while it succeeds in crafting an authentic vibrancy for such scenes, this choice can detract from the audibility and clarity of character exchanges, especially during more subdued or critical narrative moments.

Audio performances across the board are competent, effectively capturing the essence of the characters' exaggerated behaviors and delivering their punchlines with gusto. Notably, group scenes and chaotic interactions are handled with sufficient care, ensuring that despite the overarching issues with volume, pivotal moments remain coherent. The soundstage feels adequately populated, contributing to a sense of immersion into the film's environment.

Lastly, the mix excels in rendering atmospherics with an impressive degree of liveliness. Ambient sounds of street activity and background hustle contribute significantly to setting the scene, adding depth to the visual storytelling. Such elements are pronounced and enrich the film’s immersion factor, albeit at the expense of occasionally overpowering the dialogue. This juxtaposition highlights a recurring motif in the audio presentation: a balancing act between enhancing atmospheric immersion and maintaining narrative clarity.

The extra presentation on the Blu Ray of "Once Upon a Crime..." notably includes a theatrical trailer, offering a brief yet engaging glimpse into the film's comedic undertones and ensemble cast. Presenting in high definition, this extra accentuates the overall package, providing enthusiasts and newcomers alike an enticing preview that complements the main feature well. Tailored for those who appreciate a concise yet immersive insight into the movie's atmosphere and style, this inclusion stands out for its clarity and engagement, ensuring viewers receive a well-rounded viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: An engaging preview of the film's comedic ensemble in high definition.

Eugene Levy's directorial debut, "Once Upon a Crime," sees the comedian attempting to translate his signature humor from SCTV fame to the big screen, with a screenplay collaboration between Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers to boot. This endeavor brings together an eclectic cast, aiming to breathe life into a caper that unfortunately falls short of its comedic aspirations. Set against a backdrop of mistaken identities and a series of unfortunate events in France and Monte Carlo, the film juggles farce with a tantalizing murder mystery. Despite Levy's seasoned comedic lens, the execution feels rushed, aiming for a farcical pace that seldom lands its intended humor. The talented ensemble, capable of much more, is left navigating through a storyline that too often prioritizes volume over substance, missing numerous opportunities for genuine laughter.

The plot weaves together the lives of disparate characters, including Phoebe, portrayed by Sean Young, who desperately teams up with a washed-up actor (Richard Lewis) to return a lost dachshund for a reward, only to stumble upon murder. The ensemble cast, including John Candy's compulsive gambler and James Belushi's desperate roulette player, brings an initial spark to their roles, showcasing Levy's knack for setting up intriguing character dynamics and humorous potential in the film's early scenes. However, as the narrative progresses towards the glitzy chaos of Monte Carlo, it loses steam at a crucial juncture where stakes and laughter should have peaked. Instead of leveraging its setup for comedic payoff, the movie gets bogged down by its own convolutions, especially with the murder plot that seems more like a distracting subplot than a driving force.

Based on the 1960 Italian comedy "Crimen," Levy's iteration struggles to find a cohesive rhythm between its comedic ambitions and narrative execution. While the early parts of the movie demonstrate a promising setup of characters on collision courses, packed with quirky motivations and comedic mishaps, it's the transition to Monte Carlo where the narrative falters. The vibrant energy of casino life and the initial comedic setups give way to repetitive slapstick and an underdeveloped central mystery that does little to engage the full potential of its cast. The performances hint at what could have been a memorable farce yet are undermined by pacing issues and a screenplay that doesn't fully utilize its ensemble's talents or the rich comedic fodder of its premise.

"Once Upon a Crime," presented on Blu Ray, showcases an ensemble cast maneuvering through a narrative that aims for farcical heights but struggles to maintain a consistent comedic momentum. The film, directed by Eugene Levy, exhibits a polished technical execution with an array of scenes beautifully captured, highlighting the exquisite locales that serve as the backdrop to the unfolding mystery-comedy. However, despite Levy's proven comedic prowess—evident in a brief yet memorable cameo—the film's overall humor fails to hit the intended marks consistently. The actors, while commendably committed to their roles, traverse through plotlines that lack the depth and tightness one might expect from a movie of this genre. The resulting experience is one where the anticipation of laughs outpaces their actual delivery, leaving viewers longing for a more robustly crafted comedic journey.

The film's narrative attempts to intertwine elements of mystery with comedy but ends up diluting both, leading to a viewing experience that feels prolonged despite its actual runtime. The genuine moments of laughter are present but sparse, overshadowing what could have been a compelling exploration of character dynamics in an intriguing setting. Levy's direction shows flashes of brilliance, indicating that with more opportunities to hone his craft, he might have well evolved into a filmmaker capable of consistently delivering both amusement and storytelling finesse.

In conclusion, "Once Upon a Crime" on Blu Ray serves as a testament to what could have been—a project with significant potential hampered by its execution. While the film benefits from its technical achievements and the undeniable commitment of its cast, it falls short of providing a cohesive and satisfying comedic experience. The absence of Levy's future directorial ventures is a loss to cinema, particularly for those who appreciate a unique blend of comedy and narrative craftsmanship. As it stands, this release is a curious case of unfulfilled promise, compelling for its glimpses into what might have been rather than what was fully realized.