At War with the Army Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "At War with the Army" offers a mixed bag of visual quality, reflective of its age and public domain status. The AVC encoded image, framed at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, showcases extensive signs of wear and tear, particularly in the opening reel which is marred by scratches, flecks, and general print damage. However, as the film progresses, the viewing experience stabilizes with moments of adequate sharpness that capture the intricacies of period set design and facial details. The black and white balance is reasonably comfortable, maintaining a filmic quality despite various sources being stitched together.

Presented in a properly pillar-boxed 1.37:1 image format, the HD remastering does exhibit an array of improvements but also notable inconsistencies. The initial scenes are hampered by print damage and stock footage that appear rough and soft. Once the main content begins, there are instances where the image quality sees a notable uptick, presenting fine shadows and solid black levels. However, these high-quality bursts are interspersed with scenes that are either overly bright or excessively murky. A memorable highlight in image clarity is during the scene where Jerry Lewis goes out on the town dressed as a blonde; his attire and even chest hair render crisply in HD. Nevertheless, when the picture falters, it does so glaringly, contributing to an uneven visual experience.

Overall, considering the film's 65-year age and nuanced public domain status, the Blu-ray offers moments of respectable clarity amidst prevalent imperfections. While the video presentation is far from pristine, it retains enough moments of sharpness and textural detail to make it a worthwhile viewing experience, primarily for enthusiasts seeking a decent remaster of this classic film.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 sound mix on the Blu Ray release of "At War with the Army" reveals some notable challenges, particularly during the opening sequences. The audio mix fluctuates in volume, displaying signs of heavy damage such as crackly voices and extreme crispy highs that push Jerry Lewis's antics slightly into the red zone. These disquieting elements eventually stabilize, though they do leave a persistent static trace. Music-wise, the soundtrack is approachable but lacks vibrancy, featuring passable instrumentation and full yet unremarkable vocals. While the scoring is sparse, it effectively supports the narrative.

Despite these opening setbacks, the audio quality improves in the midrange, offering reasonably clear dialogue throughout most of the film. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track handles imaging and balance competently, resulting in even volume levels and a natural layering effect for dialogue, music numbers, and more dynamic scenes. Notably, for a movie of this vintage, there are no irritating hisses, pops, or audio jumps. The intricate balancing ensures that while the high notes and certain high-energy scenes can be grating, the overall experience remains coherent and functional for vintage film audio standards.

The supplementary features for the Blu-ray release of "At War with the Army" are highly minimal, contributing nothing additional to the core content. Reviewers have consistently noted the absence of extras, with multiple remarks emphasizing the total lack of supplementary material. This release could significantly benefit from behind-the-scenes content, interviews, or historical context about the film to enhance the viewing experience for enthusiasts and collectors. The deficiency in additional features is a notable downside, as it limits the overall value of this Blu-ray edition.

Extras included in this disc: None: There is no supplementary material on this disc.

"At War with the Army," a 1950 military comedy starring the iconic duo Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, marks an intriguing entry in their filmography. Directed by Hal Walker, who helmed Hope and Crosby's "The Road to Utopia," the film explores the zany misadventures of Sgt. Vic Puccinelli (Martin) and Pfc. Alvin Korwin (Lewis). Adapted from James B. Allardice's play, the movie sometimes struggles with its theatrical roots, offering humor that feels like remnants of Abbot & Costello or Three Stooges routines but without their sharper edge. While Martin's charming portrayal of a ladies' man entangled in army bureaucracy shines, Lewis delivers his trademark manic energy, veering between slapstick and randomness that occasionally misses the mark.

The narrative is a conglomeration of misunderstandings and office shenanigans, capturing military life frustrations and aspirations. Martin deals with mundane duties and romantic escapades, while Lewis, as the befuddled Korwin, slacks off, attempting to record a song amidst chaotic tasks. Noteworthy scenes include Martin's smooth musical interludes and Lewis’s comic brilliance in drag, complete with a failing disguise at a nightspot and his clever obstacle course antics. Despite these highlights, the film often loses direction, meandering through disjointed gags reminiscent of their scattershot television routines.

Ultimately, "At War with the Army" serves as a mixed showcase of Martin and Lewis’s talents. The randomness that worked for their television success seems less effective in a feature-length format with a loose plot. Long-time fans might appreciate this film for completing their collection, enjoying its sporadic moments of genuine hilarity. However, newcomers to Martin and Lewis might find better representation of their comedic prowess in their more polished TV appearances or later works.

The Blu-ray release of "At War with the Army" sparks mixed reviews, capturing both the charm and limitations of this 1950 Martin & Lewis film. Primarily stage-bound in its execution, the movie relies heavily on the comedic prowess of its lead performers, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, to energize its narrative. While the musical numbers are competent and provide some entertainment, the film occasionally struggles to transition from its stage origins to a fully realized cinematic experience. The chemistry between Lewis and Martin is undeniably a highlight, making their individual moments fly, yet this doesn’t completely compensate for the film's lack of cohesive storytelling.

Particularly noteworthy is the quality of the Blu-ray format. Since rights fell into the public domain in 1977, the film's preservation has faced challenges, resulting in certain audio and visual inconsistencies. The picture quality varies significantly, and while the transfer attempts to do justice to the original material, it cannot escape its uneven source. Audio, similarly, fluctuates in clarity, potentially dampening some viewers' enjoyment but still providing an overall audible experience.

Ultimately, “At War with the Army” will mostly appeal to collectors and staunch fans of Martin & Lewis who appreciate their historical significance in comedy. For those considering bolstering their classic film collection, it’s important to manage expectations given the technical imperfections. The film’s existence in any form is a small treasure for enthusiasts but may not satisfy all modern cinema appetites.