Life Stinks Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Life Stinks" comes with an AVC encoded image at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. While it offers a 1080p HD transfer, it does not appear to have been derived from a recent scan. As a result, the viewing experience is slightly softer and diluted, showing some signs of age. The detail does not achieve the sharpness expected, even accounting for the softened cinematography style. Textures, while present, do not reach a profound depth and are best observed in close-ups and set decorations. Colors appear mostly flat and aged, with the only passable intensity seen in costuming and street signage. Additionally, grain is not as distinct or filmic as desired, which results in a somewhat cleaner home viewing experience, though without the anticipated richness.

This video transfer reveals several repeated issues that impact its overall quality. Although the picture maintains frame information intact, it lacks the crispness that might be expected from a high-definition presentation. Detail remains rather dull, showing better only in well-lit closeups where facial features and costumes momentarily stand out. However, this enhanced detail is short-lived. The color performance is relatively muted, failing to deliver the vividness one might hope for. Grain levels prove to be uneven, fluctuating throughout the film, and there's still some dirt and debris visible on the print along with some video noise. Black levels are mostly deep and inky but there is evidence of crushing in darker scenes. Natural skin tones do provide some redeeming aspects, but overall, the video presentation falls short of exceptional standards.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo mix of "Life Stinks" is basic but quite effective in delivering a solid audio experience. Dialogue exchanges are prominently pushed forward, ensuring clarity and maintaining the comedic pacing of the film. The score adds a full and secure backdrop, offering deep instrumentation that adeptly sets the mood without overshadowing other audio elements. Atmospherics shine through, bringing the street scenes to life and providing a sense of depth and immersion. Importantly, there is an absence of hissing or distortion, ensuring a clean listening experience.

While the audio mix does not include cinematic grandeur in terms of explosions or action-packed sequences, it serves the film’s intentions well. The lively and well-balanced soundtrack does not overpower the dialogue, which remains clear and easy to understand. There’s a subtle directionality present in the dialogue, enriching the listening experience. Ambient noises and sound effects are realistically rendered, bolstering the setting within the slums of the city. Overall, this mix proves to be a more than satisfactory presentation for a dramatic comedy predominantly driven by dialogue, free from pops, cracks, or shrill highs.

The Blu-ray extras for "Life Stinks" are comprehensive and insightful, blending commentary with behind-the-scenes perspectives. The audio commentary, featuring Mel Brooks and co-writers Rudy De Luca and Steve Haberman, provides a deep dive into the film's creation, distinguishing its departure from Brooks' typical parody films while offering engaging anecdotes about the production, cast, and on-location filming. The "Does Life Really Stink?" featurette enriches this narrative by delving into the film's origin, tone, and Brooks' return to more personal storytelling through interviews with the key creators. The inclusion of the theatrical trailer adds a nostalgic touch to the package, encapsulating the film's essence in a concise format.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Mel Brooks and co-writers discuss the film's creation, themes, and production anecdotes.
• Does Life Really Stink?: A featurette with cast and crew interviews on the film's tone and origin.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

Mel Brooks's 1991 endeavor, Life Stinks, presents a stark departure from his previous spoof-centric successes such as Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. The film narrates the tale of Goddard Bolt (Brooks), a wealthy businessman attempting to survive 30 days in the slums without money in order to win a bet. Despite its ambition, this film receives mixed critical reception due to its misplaced comedic efforts on homelessness and destitution. Brooks orchestrates the screenplay with co-writers Rudy De Luca and Steve Haberman, crafting a narrative that highlights corruption and class disparity. However, the film struggles with tone management, with cartoons-like portrayals of homeless characters that miss the mark in generating genuine humor or social commentary.

The attempts at blending slapstick humor with the grim reality of street life are notably discordant. The script oscillates between unfunny punchlines and clichéd characterizations, failing to strike the necessary balance between comedy and potent societal messages. Brooks's earnest attempt to evoke humor in scenes involving mental illness and alcoholism fall flat, occasionally evoking discomfort rather than amusement. There are moments where light physical comedy breaks through, but these instances are sparse and insufficient to sustain the film's comedic aspirations.

Additionally, Life Stinks is replete with random, often awkward narrative choices. Notably, a significant subplot involving Bolt's antagonist, Vance (Jeffrey Tambor), is concluded abruptly, leaving gaps in the storytelling. Brooks's use of broad slapstick and dated humor elements such as phallic sight gags further hinder the film’s impact. While Brooks does attempt to inject some meaning with a sobering character death and a whimsical musical number, these elements clash more than they complement, rendering Life Stinks a well-intentioned yet misguided experiment that ultimately underdelivers on both comedic and dramatic fronts.

"Life Stinks" marks a distinctive phase in Mel Brooks's filmography, signaling a significant shift from his typical zany parodies to a dramatic satire focused on the class system and homelessness. Unlike his more famous works featuring outlandish scenarios and musical numbers, this film attempts a more serious narrative with interspersed comedic moments. Unfortunately, despite its ambition, the humor and dialogue largely fall flat, lacking the sharp wit found in comparable films like "Trading Places." The Blu-ray release presents a mixed technical performance; while the video quality remains underwhelming, the audio fares better and supports the film suitably. Notably, the extra features, albeit dated over a decade, provide valuable insights with Mel Brooks reminiscing about this unique project.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation of "Life Stinks" is a letdown for major fans and collectors. The visual quality does not showcase the film's potential, leaving much to be desired in terms of sharpness and clarity that one expects from modern releases. The audio presentation, however, makes up for some of these shortcomings by delivering a fairly robust experience that complements the film's tone. The special features include archival interviews with Brooks, adding a layer of enrichment to the viewing experience, even if they are not new content.

In conclusion, "Life Stinks" is notable for being Mel Brooks's last original initiative before reverting to familiar territory with subsequent works. While it doesn't achieve the comedy or impact of his illustrious parodies, it remains an interesting albeit flawed attempt at blending satire with social commentary. Given the subpar video quality and aging extras, it is advisable to rent this Blu-ray before considering a purchase.