Good Burger Blu-ray Review
SteelBook 25th Anniversary Edition
Score: 60
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
This SteelBook edition of 'Good Burger' offers no new content aside from vibrant packaging, appealing primarily to collectors.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 77
Good Burger's Blu-ray release impresses with a vibrant 1080p transfer that revitalizes the film's colors and clarity, capturing the nostalgic charm of its original release while maintaining a satisfying balance in detail and presentation.
Audio: 73
The lossless audio presentation of 'Good Burger' delivers refining clarity and supportive dynamics, with appreciable dialogue tonal variation and effective channel separation. While the surrounds are selectively active, they extend musical elements, creating a stable and enjoyable sound experience.
Extra: 11
The 'Good Burger' Blu-ray's limited-edition SteelBook boasts a vibrant, playful design with keen attention to detail—capturing the film's quirky charm through lively graphics and glossy finish that may show fingerprints, complete with digital code and meticulously styled interior artwork.
Movie: 51
The Blu-ray release of 'Good Burger' nostalgically retains its family-friendly charm with a campy yet enjoyable vibe, offered in a SteelBook format that maintains the same technical content and extras as the standard edition.
Video: 77
The Blu-ray release of "Good Burger" delivers a competent video presentation, although it doesn't achieve the high benchmark set by more recent restorations. The 1080p transfer maintains the film’s original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, showcasing a clear improvement over previous DVD releases. The image quality presents a noticeable enhancement in sharpness and detail, with facial features and textures appearing more defined. However, color reproduction leans towards the subdued side, and while skin tones appear natural, the vibrant palette one might expect from a comedy remains somewhat muted.
In darker scenes, shadow detail is generally preserved, although there are occasional instances of crushed blacks that slightly obscure definition. Grain structure is naturally retained, capturing the film's intended cinematic feel without becoming overly intrusive. Despite the absence of advanced modern technologies like 4K or HDR enhancements, the static contrast and satisfactory brightness levels ensure that the picture quality maintains a reasonable degree of depth and dimensionality. Importantly, the transfer remains free of any distracting digital artifacts or excessive edge enhancement that could detract from the viewing experience.
Overall, while this Blu-ray release does not take full advantage of cutting-edge video technology, it offers a clean and enjoyable presentation for fans who appreciate the film’s nostalgic charm. It stays faithful to its original visual style without offering significant technical upgrades that might entice newer audiences looking for the spectacle that modern formats like Dolby Vision provide. For keen supporters of the film, this Blu-ray delivers a solid visual representation which sufficiently respects the integrity of the original theatrical presentation.
Audio: 73
The lossless audio presentation on the "Good Burger" Blu-ray delivers a commendable sound experience with clarity and supportive dynamics. The dialogue is well-presented with impressive tonal variation and precise channel separation, allowing for a clear and engaging front soundstage. Although the surround channels aren't consistently active, they effectively enhance the front-oriented presentation. This contributes to spatial extension, particularly benefiting the film’s musical elements.
The audio mix isn't overly aggressive; however, it creates a consistently stable and enjoyable auditory experience that complements the film's tone. The quality of sound aligns well with the movie's comedic and lighthearted nature, ensuring that viewers remain engaged throughout the runtime. The implementation of subtle surround effects adds to the overall immersion without overshadowing the dialogue or main audio components.
Extras: 11
The Blu-ray release of "Good Burger" offers a nostalgic deep dive with a collection of entertaining bonuses catering to fans. The inclusion of the Original Good Burger Sketch from “All That” provides a delightful look into the film's comedic roots. A digital code is tucked inside, providing flexibility for viewers to enjoy the film across various digital platforms. Additionally, the release is showcased in a limited-edition steelbook packaging that, while subject to fingerprints, adds a unique collector's value. The front features a vibrant design with characters in their iconic uniforms against a light blue backdrop, resembling a sunflower with mustard embellishments, while the inner art creatively displays Ed and Dexter amidst playful food imagery. Though the steelbook design enhances its aesthetic appeal, it is the bonus content that notably enriches this edition.
Extras included in this disc:
- Original Good Burger Sketch from "All That": Origin of the beloved movie characters.
- Digital Code: Enables access to a digital copy of the film.
- Limited-Edition Steelbook Packaging: Unique collectible packaging featuring artistic designs.
Movie: 51
The Blu-ray release of "Good Burger" provides a nostalgic yet fresh viewing experience for fans and newcomers alike. Originally a beloved feature of the Nickelodeon era, it retains much of its original charm, which captivated audiences when first released in theaters and continued to do so through its home video lifecycle. The humor, while sometimes leaning into nonsensical and campy territory, benefits from a nostalgic lens that revives its entertaining appeal for both original audiences and a new generation.
Paramount's release includes a distinctive Blu-ray SteelBook packaging, adding a collectible dimension for enthusiasts. The content on the disc mirrors that of the wide release, ensuring viewers receive the full nostalgic experience complemented by modern visual and auditory clarity expected from the Blu-ray format. Those interested in the visual aesthetics of physical media will appreciate this detailed packaging variant, though specifics about its design and included materials are addressed under special features.
In sum, "Good Burger" on Blu-ray is a delightful revisitation of a cult classic, offering enduring humor with upgraded audiovisual quality. Fans can enjoy both the reminiscence of the movie and the sleek presentation of its latest release.
Total: 60
The Blu-ray release of "Good Burger," now available in a SteelBook edition, presents a vibrant new packaging that will appeal to avid collectors and fans of the film. However, it is important to note that this new edition does not include any additional on-disc content compared to its release a year ago. This might be a drawback for those looking for fresh special features or updates.
Technically, the Blu-ray transfer delivers solid picture quality, preserving the vibrant and quirky aesthetic that "Good Burger" is known for. The audio quality, equipped with a suitable surround mix, complements the viewing experience, ensuring dialogues and sound effects remain clear and immersive. While the video and audio presentation may not break new ground, they consistently meet the standards expected of Blu-ray releases.
In conclusion, the SteelBook edition of "Good Burger" is an attractive purchase for collectors wishing to enhance their collection with its striking case design. However, for those seeking new content or enhanced features, this release may lack justification for repurchase. The presentation maintains the quality expected, offering a reliable home viewing experience for this nostalgic comedy.
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 80
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Audio: 80
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Extras: 10
The inner print is a two-panel spread that features Ed and Dexter on the left, in their Good Burger uniforms, smiling and holding up a couple of fast-food bags and a tray with a drink on it....
Movie: 40
See the 'Special Features and Extras' section of the review below for more on the SteelBook's look and feel....
Total: 50
Fans of the film might like this colorful SteelBook, and collectors of course will have to have it....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 86
Audio: 78
The mix isn’t aggressive but, does create a stable and enjoyable sound experience that mates well with the tone of the film....
Extras: 20
Original Good Burger Sketch from “All That” Digital Code Limited-Edition Steelbook Packaging...
Movie: 70
Watching it today after all this time, much of what made it entertaining for both the kids and us retained the same feel....
Total: 64
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Director: Brian Robbins
Actors: Kel Mitchell, Kenan Thompson, Sinbad
PlotDexter Reed, a high school student counting the days until summer break, looks forward to a carefree vacation. However, his plans are derailed when he crashes his mother’s car into the vehicle of his stern teacher, Mr. Wheat. To pay for the damages, Dexter takes a summer job at Good Burger, a run-down but friendly neighborhood fast-food joint. Here, he meets Ed, a slow-witted but cheerful employee who loves working at Good Burger and accidentally causes Dexter to become entangled in more antics than he anticipated. Their friendship begins with reluctance but soon evolves into a comedic partnership based on a shared goal.
Things take a competitive turn when Mondo Burger, a flashy and imposing rival restaurant, sets up shop across the street, threatening to drive Good Burger out of business. Dexter, initially only concerned about earning enough money to pay off the car repair, finds himself invested in saving Good Burger from its ruthless competition. With Ed's secret sauce becoming the only hope to draw customers back to their humble eatery, Dexter and Ed must come up with creative ways to thwart the encroaching corporate threat. As they navigate various mishaps and plot evil plans, the duo discovers the importance of friendship and loyalty in their quest to ensure their quirky little burger joint survives against all odds.
Writers: Dan Schneider, Kevin Kopelow, Heath Seifert
Release Date: 25 Jul 1997
Runtime: 95 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English