See No Evil, Hear No Evil Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" presents a commendable 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer that showcases the meticulous work of cinematographer Victor Kemper. Bringing out the vivid cityscape locations such as Union Square, Tribeca, and the Westside Highway, each frame is filled with remarkable detail. This high-quality transfer ensures that elements like Dave's newsstand products and Eve's lacey undergarments are rendered with precision. Colors are exceptionally well-delineated and properly saturated, and black levels are true and deep, adding depth to Joan Severance's ebony hair and other dark scenes without compromising background details.

Adding to the visual experience, the film exhibits a sharp, consistent contrast throughout, enhancing the definition of fine lines on clothing, hair, and distant buildings. Despite being a comedy—a genre often questioned for its upgrade worthiness—the inclusion of bustling cityscapes makes the upgrade to Blu-ray unquestionably worthwhile. The grain pattern remains natural and unobtrusive, lending the image an attractive cinematic quality devoid of high-frequency filtering or artificial sharpening. Furthermore, colors deliver a clean rendering, with primary hues appearing vibrant and skin tones looking healthy and natural.

Overall, the Blu-ray transfer of "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" flawlessly captures the visual essence of Kemper's work. The absence of compression artifacts bolsters the image clarity, making it a fine representation of this classic comedy for home viewing audiences.

The audio presentation of "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" on Blu-ray arrives with an impressive uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo soundtrack. The left and right channel separations are clear from the opening chords of Stewart Copeland's lively score, yet it's worth noting that there is no surround activity, even when processed through a system like DPL IIx. This does not detract from the overall experience, as the soundtrack delivers a wide and well-balanced image, ensuring that the soundstage remains welcoming and immersive.

Dialogue clarity is a standout feature, with voices sounding natural and consistently clear. This is crucial for a comedy where every joke and gag needs to be audible and impactful. The mid-range frequencies are particularly well-represented, providing excellent detailing of natural sounds without any distortion. While the track doesn't offer deep, resonant bass, it compensates with appropriate weight during action sequences, making the overall audio experience enjoyable.

The stereo mix is engaging, with smooth and convincing channel movement. Whether the characters are engaged in subtle conversations or frantic chases, there is a satisfying amount of atmospherics filling the soundstage. Importantly, the dialogue remains prominently clear and precise at all times, ensuring that nothing gets lost in translation. Overall, the lossless PCM stereo track makes for a delightful listen, maintaining an effective and entertaining audio presence throughout the film.

The Blu-ray release of "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" is notably lacking in supplemental features, making it a bare-bones offering that falls short of expectations. It contrasts sharply with Sony’s 2001 DVD release, which featured the film's theatrical trailer and additional trailers for other films like "Money Train," "Bad Boys," and "Blue Streak." Unfortunately, the current Blu-ray edition does not include any such extras, resulting in a straightforward viewing experience devoid of supplementary content. This omission might disappoint fans looking for additional insights or nostalgic touches from the previous release.

Extras included in this disc:

• None

"See No Evil, Hear No Evil," directed by Arthur Hiller and reuniting the iconic duo of Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, presents a unique blend of physical comedy and situational gags. The movie, penned by Wilder and five others, may lack the original pioneering charm of "Stir Crazy" or "Silver Streak," but it nonetheless offers an engaging diversion. Pryor, portraying the blind Wally Karue, and Wilder, as the deaf Dave Lyons, exhibit their seasoned chemistry, which carries the film's otherwise generic murder mystery plot. Unlike "Stir Crazy," which thrived on a more improvisational style, this film relies heavily on meticulously choreographed comedic sequences. The narrative revolves around their characters being falsely accused of murder, subsequently leading to a series of slapstick chases, impersonations, and inventive visual comedy.

The movie's strength undeniably lies in the chemistry and timing between its stars. Pryor's irrepressible energy and Wilder's sharp wit prevent the film from devolving into mere farce. Instances like their coordinated barroom brawl or the riotous police car chase demonstrate their ability to elevate the material. From pretending to be European doctors to perplexing police officers, these moments highlight the duo's talent for enhancing otherwise ordinary scenes into something memorable. Alan North’s portrayal of Captain Braddock and Joan Severance’s Eve add a layer of intrigue, despite serving more as plot devices than fully realized characters.

Despite an underlying plot that feels derivative and at times contrived, "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" has aged into a cult classic, thanks largely to its protagonist pair. The clever use of their characters' disabilities not only provides comedic fodder but does so without resorting to insensitive humor. While it may not hit the high notes of Pryor and Wilder’s earlier collaborations, it remains an enjoyable showcase of their undeniable compatibility and comedic prowess.

'See No Evil, Hear No Evil' brings together the iconic comedic duo of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor for their third collaboration. However, this film does not quite capture the magic of their previous pairings such as 'Silver Streak'. While the movie offers sporadic moments of amusement, it lacks consistent humor and overall, does not leave a lasting impression. Technically, the Blu-ray presentation shines with a surprisingly robust picture quality that accentuates the vivid color palette and detail. The audio performance is commendable, balancing dialogue and comedic sound effects effectively.

Despite the high-quality video and audio transfer, the Blu-ray package is barebones, offering no supplemental content like behind-the-scenes features or commentary tracks. This lack of extras detracts from its overall value, particularly for avid collectors or fans interested in behind-the-scenes insights. The absence of enriching bonus materials makes this Blu-ray a middling purchase, but it remains suitable for a rental given its decent production values.

The film in which Pryor and Wilder first teamed, Silver Streak, is probably the one that fans most want to see on Blu-ray, but it's a Fox property, and who knows when it'll see the light of day? Meanwhile, Sony controls the rights to two of Pryor's peerless standup films, Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip and Richard Pryor . . . Here and Now, which would make a terrific double-feature Blu-ray. Pryor was a brilliant and subtle actor, but no film role ever fully tapped his restless genius, even the autobiographical Jo-Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, which he co-wrote and directed. He needed a live audience and a stage that he could people with characters, all of them rendered so vividly that even inanimate objects acquired distinct personalities. (Pryor's crack pipe in Live on the Sunset Strip spoke with a more distinctive voice than the leads in many contemporary films.) For now, though, See No Evil, Hear No Evil will have to hold us. Recommended.