Strange Brew Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray of "Strange Brew" is presented in an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and offers a significant upgrade over previous DVD releases. The remastered video succeeds in bringing out an impressive level of detail, revealing subtleties in set decorations and intricate textures on fabrics and skin. The color palette benefits from the new scan, with primaries appearing rich and vibrant, enhancing the visual experience significantly, even given the film's original cold and rainy Toronto backdrop. The black levels demonstrate strong delineation in many scenes, although some moments in Brewmeister Smith's lab reveal minor inconsistencies where shadow details occasionally falter.

Moreover, the film grain is meticulously managed, contributing to the film's overall sharpness while retaining a natural filmic texture. Skin tones are rendered accurately and contribute to the overall realism of the presentation. While focus issues inherent to the original cinematography are now more noticeable, it only serves to validate the authenticity of the remaster. The transfer appears clean, devoid of any significant damage or dirt, showcasing a faithful restoration effort. Taken together, the Blu-ray release stands as a definitive version for long-time fans and newcomers alike, offering a high-definition experience that closely aligns with the movie's original cinematic presentation.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Strange Brew" is defined by its 2.0 DTS-HD MA stereo mix, presenting the film's soundscape with pronounced clarity and fidelity. Dialogue, a critical component given the film's comedic nature, is consistently crisp and front-centered, ensuring every line—intentional or otherwise—is clear and intelligible. This meticulous attention to dialogue detail enriches the comedic effect, as even background lines are distinct. Music tracks are rendered robustly, maintaining the integrity of instrumentation without overpowering the spoken word, while Charles Fox's score supports scenes effectively. The mix handles atmospherics and sound effects with a directness appropriate to the film’s context, ensuring an unintimidating but engaging audio experience.

Technically, the audio track achieves a commendable balance across its elements, providing enough spatial activity and ambient noise to keep the monochannel experience dynamic. While it's pivotal to note that the English track is sourced from the original mono, the DTS-HD MA mix ensures that both the soundtrack and effects retain a natural feel without extraneous enhancements. This mix eschews heavy-handed lows (LFE) but delivers on moderate bass presence where necessary, particularly during more energetic sequences. The option of a Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital track offers additional accessibility, reflecting an inclusive approach to the release. Subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish further enhance the accessibility for a diverse audience. This audio presentation expertly preserves the original auditory intent of "Strange Brew," ensuring fans experience the film with maximum comedic and technical fidelity.

The extras on the "Strange Brew" Blu-Ray disc offer a nostalgic look back at the classic comedy duo Bob and Doug McKenzie. The collection includes an animated preview, a memorable SCTV sketch, and the theatrical trailer, all together offering fans a delightful trip down memory lane. While "The Animated Adventures of Bob and Doug McKenzie" trailer provides a glimpse into the short-lived animated series initiated in 2009, it doesn't fully capture the original show's sharp comic essence. In contrast, "How to Stuff a Mouse into a Beer Bottle" is a succinct clip that brilliantly encapsulates the sketch comedy origins that inspired part of the film's plot. The inclusion of the theatrical trailer in HD rounds out the package nicely, providing both a nostalgic and quality viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

The Animated Adventures of Bob and Doug McKenzie: Preview of the 2009 animated series showcasing an evolution of the characters.

How to Stuff a Mouse into a Beer Bottle: SCTV sketch directly inspiring the movie’s plot.

Theatrical Trailer: Official HD release trailer.

"Strange Brew," a 1983 film born from the comedic genius of SCTV's Bob and Doug McKenzie, offers a fascinating blend of Shakespearean drama and Canadian pop-culture satire. Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas reprise their roles as the lovable, beer-guzzling siblings who find themselves embroiled in a plot involving mind control, murder, and brewery shenanigans. The film’s screenplay, co-written by Moranis, Thomas, and Steve De Jarnatt, cleverly adapts "Hamlet"—turning the Elsinore Brewery into a den of intrigue and double-crosses. Here, Claude (Paul Dooley), a nefarious uncle-figure, and Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow) execute a plan to lace beer with mind-controlling drugs. Meanwhile, Pam (Lynne Griffin), grapples with the sudden death of her father and navigates her unexpected role amid this chaos.

The film's narrative is packed with absurd yet captivating moments that keep it entertaining despite its thin plotting. The McKenzie brothers, consumed by their quest for free beer, unwittingly thwart diabolical plans through a series of comedic misadventures. They encounter perilous situations, from toxic hockey matches to being institutionalized for mental incompetence—yet bumble their way through with endearing naivety. The comedic chops of Moranis and Thomas shine brightly as they manage to imbue their characters with a mix of idiocy and charm. They also demonstrate directorial competence by extracting spirited performances from their cast, notably von Sydow, who remarkably balances menacing villainy with comedic zeal.

"Strange Brew" is not just a straightforward satire; it’s a wild absurdist comedy that doesn’t shy away from larger-than-life humor. From meta movie references to outrageous gags involving a beer-loving dog named Hosehead, the film is relentless in its pursuit of laughter. It remains a unique cinematic romp that showcases the layered humor and distinctive wit of its creators. For those willing to embrace its offbeat charm, it stands as a testament to the creative versatility of Moranis and Thomas.

The Blu-ray release of "Strange Brew" offers both seasoned fans and newcomers a delightful revisit to the zany adventures of the McKenzie Brothers, portrayed by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas. This beloved comedy, deeply entrenched in absurd humor and non sequitur comedic styles, effectively utilizes its unique Canadian charm to keep audiences engaged. Warner Brothers’ HD upgrade is commendable, providing a robust audio/visual presentation that revitalizes the film’s quirky aesthetic without losing its nostalgic essence. The inclusion of a few modest extras adds value, making this Blu-ray a worthwhile addition to any collection.

"Strange Brew" thrives on its imaginative script and the infectious chemistry between its leads. Despite a few minor story flaws, the film’s concoction of comedic elements is consistently good-natured and engaging, ensuring that even the most bizarre moments are supported by an underlying sense of fun. The high-definition transfer preserves the integrity of the original film while enhancing visual clarity and audio fidelity, ensuring an experience that is both modern and faithful to its 1980s roots.

There are laughs galore in "Strange Brew," but embracing the effort takes a special level of relaxation, as it can be a highly bizarre endeavor, teeming with non sequiturs and comedic impulsiveness. Thankfully, the feature's absurdity is always good-natured and imaginative, keeping "Strange Brew" light enough to support the misadventures of the McKenzie Brothers, with Moranis and Thomas securing a snowballing story that makes ideal use of the characters, their Canadian glow, and indefatigable interest in mischief.