"It´s Sunday to be the king," is one of the most infamous lines from a Mel Brooks movie ("History of the Men: Part 1") and it can also be habituated to to tell of Brooks´ run as a comedic auteur during the 60´s, 70´s and part of the 80´s and 90´s. Brooks is best known for his particular brand of comedy which included expansive motion picture farces and parodies. While his particular kind of humor may not be suited for everyone, it´s almost certain that Brooks will go down as the same of the accurately comedic legends in mistiness record.
With a few exceptions, today´s comedies have to border on the absurd and stupid, instead of the zany brand name of humor that was a staple of Brooks´ comedies during the height of his pursuit. While the Zucker´s and Farrelly´s brought film comedy into the modern arena, it was Brooks that picked up the reigns in the 60´s and led the particular. From the broad farcical formula and rib induced humor of "Blazing Saddles" to the idiot send up of the Robin Hood mythos in "Robin Hood: Men in Tights", Brooks has always displayed a sure hand of making films that were opportune, finding a position and playing it for unshakable blazing laughs. In substantially every one of his films Brooks Nautical port no joke inexperienced in, employing sight gags, puns, situational humor, fart jokes and everything in between.
With the eight disc collection of some of Mel Brooks´ finest films, Fox has created a wonderful but joy trove of comedy classics. Included in the set are: "The Twelve Chairs", "Issue Frankenstein", "Blazing Saddles", "Silent Movie", "High Anxiety", "Life of the World: Region I", "To Be or Not to Be" and "Robin Hood" Men in Tights". Poor is the exclusion of "Spaceballs" and the original version of "The Producers" with Gene Wilder (and the arguably amusing "Life Stinks"), all of which are MGM titles. It should be noted that "Blazing Saddles" is a Warner Bros. title and was soundless included in the set up, despite being the earlier version of the film and not the 30th Anniversary Special Edition which was released in 2004. Smooth, it´s not so disappointing that they socialistic out Brooks´ matrix directorial effort "Dracula: Dead and Loving it".
Even though his matrix two directorial efforts fizzled ("Robin Hood: Men Tights" desire always have a special place in my teen heart), it´s perhaps because they could scarcely hold a candle to his wonderful earlier piece. Comedy is a hit and miss arena and no one understands this better than Brooks. "Blazing Saddles" displays a niche for incendiary comedy different from any other, and while it might lean to dated, its comedic play on western genus conventions and race-relations is utter brilliance. In turn, "Silent Movie" works on the merits of Brooks and frequent collaborators Dom DeLuise and Marty Feldman. The trio performs with such inspired physical acting which just makes the film merit watching. Then there´s Gene Wilder in "Innocent Frankenstein". What more can be said regarding one of the greatest performances of all shilly-shally? Not much but to whisper the least, Wilder is a adept, and his pairing with Brooks is, in a word, awesome.
Video
"Blazing Saddles" is presented in a 2.35:1 attribute ratio; the DVD contains the lower quality transfer from the film´s earliest liberating. The quality is grainy, and contains a considerable amount of wear, with colors coming across as dull.
"High Anxiety" is confirmed a widescreen 1.85:1 outlook ratio with an overall steadfast blue blood. The disc ranges from being altogether clear and crisp to being somewhat duller in spots. The colors are good and there is also some slight annoy in the transfer.
"Ancient history of the World: District 1" is the crush looking disc in the collection. Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio the transfer looks awesome, with a great level of detail, mighty colors and virtually no discoverable tear.
"Robin Hood: Men in Tights" is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ration, the transfer is pretty decent overall image although the colors aren´t nearly as clear for a film that is a little over with ten years disintegrated. There is some where but inclusive this is a good looking take.