Review of Naked Gun Box Set

Introduction

Box-office film The Naked Gun spawned on another two sequels, which are all included within this box set.

The three films are based from the failed TV sitcom, "Police Squad," which had acquired a cult-like status when released on home video. Filmmakers Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker, who had previously brought us other comedy classics like Airplane and Top Secret, have enhanced the sitcom by upgrading it for the big screen. Both the films and sitcom introduces audiences to Lt. Frank Drebin, who is one of the most comic police officers to have ever adorned the screen. Played to perfection by actor Leslie Nielsen the hilarious films features non-stop visual gags, slapstick comedy, spoken puns & genre satire.

Below are reviews of each individual discs that comes in this box-set;

Video

Paramount has released all the films on DVD in a widescreen 1.78:1 aspect ratio format. It is further enhanced with an anamorphic transfer, which does help with picture detail.

"The Naked Gun"

The film on this disc looks rather aged and soft with some wear and tear blemishes seen in the form of black lines & small specks. Film grain is constant throughout much of the duration. Blacks detail varies from being just average as shadow detail is at times difficult to make out.

"Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell Of Fear"

This disc is an improvement on the first instalment of The Naked Gun DVD and remains quite free from wear and tear blemishes. Also colour saturation and fleshtones are natural. But the overall image has a soft look, and some minor compression artefacts can be seen in a couple of scenes.

"Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult"

The final disc is perhaps the best looking out of the previous two films on DVD, but it also has a couple of problems. Firstly, some wear and tear blemishes can be seen in a few scenes in the form of black specks and lines. Secondly, the overall image appeared a tad soft in some places. Colour saturation and fleshtones are quite pleasing, while no compression artefact was found while viewing this disc

Audio

"The Naked Gun"

The DVD features two audio soundtracks. The first track is a remixed English 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, which fully function only during the music score by Ira Newborn. For the rest of the time the soundtrack feels more like a mono track, which is understandable as the film was originally released on cinema in mono. Dialogues are centre channel driven which always remain quite clear.

The second audio soundtrack is in German Dolby Digital Mono that is also fairly clear and free from any major sound distortion.

"Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell Of Fear"

The DVD features two audio soundtracks. The first track is a remixed English 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, which emerges out from the front speaker channels during the music score by Ira Newborn. The activity levels for the back speaker surround channels are quiet for the majority of times, although the odd sound effect could be heard. Dialogues are centre channel based and are always clear.

The second audio soundtrack is in German Dolby Digital Surround 2.0, which has a good stereo activity.

"Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult"

The DVD features three audio soundtracks. The first track is a remixed English 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, which has decent stereo separation on the front channels and sound effects on the rear channels spacious adding on to the soundfield.

The second audio soundtrack is in German Dolby Digital Surround 2.0. It has a good stereo activity and is similar to the Naked Gun 2 DVD in terms of quality. The third audio track is in Hungarian Dolby Digital Mono, which is quite clear and free from sound distortion.

Features

"The Naked Gun"

Menu navigation is easy and is motionless. Supplement materials include a hilarious group commentary track with the Host Peter Tilden, Producer Robert Weiss & Director/Writer David Zucker. It certainly ranks as one of the most enjoyable I have heard in ages. Also included is the funny original theatrical trailer that is presented in anamorphic widescreen.

"Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell Of Fear"

Menu navigation is easy while menu designs are simple and motionless. Supplement materials include another hilarious group commentary track with the Host Peter Tilden, Producer Robert Weiss & Director/Co-Writer David Zucker. Again this track has its comic moments but also has some technical information, which makes for an interesting listen.

Also included are two humorous original theatrical trailers that are presented in anamorphic widescreen.

"Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult"

Menu navigation is easy and is motionless. Supplement materials include a group commentary track with Director Peter Segal, Associate Producer Michael Ewing, and Producers Robert Weiss & David Zucker. This commentary track also has gags coming at you from the start to the end of the film, which all participants shine in.

Also included is the original theatrical trailer that is presented in anamorphic widescreen.

Conclusion

Despite some minor visual problems on each discs all three films look great on this digital format. After viewing all three films I would recommend purchasing the box-set, which works out cheaper then buying all three discs individually.