Rover Dangerfield Blu-ray Review

The newly mastered 1080p transfer of "Rover Dangerfield" represents Warner Archive's concerted effort to enhance the film's visual appeal while staying true to its original cinematic presentation. Encoded using the AVC codec, the transfer maintains the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, capturing the film’s essence with an impressive level of detail and vibrancy. The autumn colors depicted in the animation are notably vivid, providing a visual feast, while the black levels in nighttime scenes set in Las Vegas are rendered spectacularly. The image clarity is uniformly crisp throughout most of the film, with minimal visible artifacts, thus significantly outperforming prior home video iterations, including the 2011 DVD release.

While the transfer is predominantly successful, minor technical imperfections are evident. Some banding is observable, particularly during early sequences set in desert landscapes. This issue slightly detracts from the overall visual consistency but is not pervasive enough to undermine the viewing experience significantly. Furthermore, certain shots exhibit softer imagery compared to others, potentially a result of inherent characteristics within the original source material, such as optical zooms. Despite these minor hitches, fans of "Rover Dangerfield" will surely appreciate the meticulous attention to restoring the film's visual quality and its faithful representation across 22 chapters.

The Blu-ray release of "Rover Dangerfield" features a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix that maintains the film's original two-channel source with remarkable clarity. This audio presentation gives prominence to dialogue, ensuring that Rodney Dangerfield’s comedic lines are delivered with precision. Meanwhile, the musical elements, whether the vibrant compositions set in Vegas or the subdued themes in darker scenes, maintain a compelling presence. The audio effectively blends the straightforward comedy and drama dynamics with the expansive staging typical of a musical.

Overall, the soundtrack demonstrates an excellent spread across the soundstage, offering an immersive listening experience. The music and sound effects, composed by David Newman and with contributions from Billy Tragesser, are rendered without any distortion or age-related anomalies. Warner Archive's decision to preserve the original audio format is aligned with a purist approach, rather than opting for a more modern 5.1 remix. This decision respects the film's original sound design and provides listeners with a genuine representation of the initial cinematic experience.

Optional English (SDH) subtitles are available during the main feature, adding an extra layer of accessibility to the pristine audio presentation. This meticulously maintained sound mix will undoubtedly satisfy both long-time enthusiasts and new viewers alike by maintaining the film's classic charm and energetic musicality.

The Blu-ray release of "Rover Dangerfield" presents a disappointingly minimal selection of extras, yet offers a nostalgic nod to classic animation with two Merrie Melodies shorts. The standout feature is the inclusion of "Dog Collared," a delightful 1950 short directed by Robert McKimson which subtly balances humor and charm as Porky Pig grapples with a troublesome stray dog amidst a rewarding opportunity. In contrast, "Dog Daze," a 1937 creation by Friz Freleng, delivers a series of rather simplistic puns around a canine talent show setting. Despite a press release promise of additional shorts, these are notably absent from this release. However, fans can still appreciate vintage promotional offerings such as the original theatrical trailer, set to familiar music tempos. The disc also includes immediate song access for seamless navigation through the film's musical highlights.

Extras included in this disc:

• Dog Daze: A 1937 Merrie Melodies short featuring dog-themed comedy.
• Dog Collared: A 1950 Merrie Melodies short with Porky Pig in a comedic plot.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage promotional piece with classic temp music.
• Song Selections: Quick access to key musical scenes from the film.

"Rover Dangerfield" ambitiously treads the line between animated nostalgia and comedic escapade, dipped in Rodney Dangerfield’s signature sarcasm. Conceptually born as a gritty animation in the vein of Ralph Bakshi, it pivots to a G-rated exodus aimed at children, leaving traces of its rebellious spirit in both animation and narrative. The storyline meanders with Rover, a Las Vegas show dog turned unsolicited farm protector, entangled in a tale of mistaken identity and self-discovery. Voiced by Dangerfield, Rover is a boisterous riot, churning out rapid one-liners alongside musical interludes like “It’s a Dog’s Life.” Despite sequences of humor peppered with well-timed zingers, the storyline remains underwhelmingly simplistic and significantly dependent on nostalgic indulgence for its allure.

The strength of "Rover Dangerfield" predominantly lies in its animation, crafted by Hyperion Animation, known for works such as "The Brave Little Toaster." The character design exhibits a retro charm with exaggerated facial expressions that add a layer of wit and personality to Rover. The vibrant 1080p Blu-ray transfer elevates these visual delights, yet the overall package is betrayed by mediocre bonus content that doesn't veil the film’s developmental challenges. Noteworthy is the lack of substantial supplementary material that could have shed light on its production nuances.

For enthusiasts of the outspoken comedian, the film's charm roots singularly in Dangerfield’s lively delivery and comedic flair. The voice performances, particularly that of Susan Boyd’s Daisy and Tress MacNeille's fleetingly humorous turkey, provide charming interactivity albeit briefly. Despite this, the movie ultimately struggles under Dangerfield’s monopoly of narrative space. No groundbreaking foray into animated storytelling here; "Rover Dangerfield" is a time capsule of Dangerfield's comedic ethos more than a standout cinematic experience. Fans enticingly revisit for nostalgia, embracing it as a whimsical yet flawed encapsulation of Dangerfield's comedic legacy.

The Blu-ray release of "Rover Dangerfield" uncovers a largely forgotten animated film from 1991 that, unfortunately, hasn't stood the test of time as gracefully as its contemporaries. With James L. George and Bob Seeley at the helm, the film attempts to entertain with its base in family viewing, though its appeal is limited mainly to those nostalgic for its initial performance. The animation is solid, presenting a few scattered and well-timed gags, but overall it lacks the depth and finesse of other animated features of its era, especially when compared to juggernauts like Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast."

Initially envisioned as an R-rated feature, the film faced considerable studio interference, ultimately being constrained into a mere 74-minute runtime—showing signs of this whittling down through its fragmented storyline and diluted humor. As a result, it struggles to captivate audiences unfamiliar with Rodney Dangerfield's comic persona; indeed, those adverse to his specific brand of humor might find limited enjoyment here.

Technically, the Warner Archive Blu-ray edition delivers commendable audio-visual quality that does justice to the original animation work. However, it's disappointingly bare-bones regarding supplementary content, lacking any real extras that might provide insight or nostalgia for longtime fans. In conclusion, while "Rover Dangerfield" may serve as a charming nostalgic trip for some, its new Blu-ray release will likely appeal primarily to those with pre-existing fondness for the film, offering little to entice new viewers or those outside its initial fanbase.