Fletch, Blu-ray (2009)
Starring: Chevy Chase, Tim Matheson
Studio: Universal 61109908 [Release date: June 2, 09]
Video: 1.85:1 for 16:9 color 1080p HD
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English DTS 5.1, English DD 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Extras: “Making and Remembering Fletch,” “From John Cocktoastin to Harry S. Truman: The Disguises,” “Favorite Fletch Moments,” BD Live
Length: 1 hours 38 minutes
Rating: ****
An interesting combination of slapstick comedy a la the Saturday Night Live figure, and a somewhat-engaging thriller in which Chase plays a newspaper reporter who constantly changes his identify to pursue a drug deal story for his paper. He runs into police corruption, murder and a forbidden romance. All with an off-hand informality that is surely endearing to Chevy Chase fans. Although some of the identifies are plain silly, such as the Afro-conked basketball player on TV, others are hilarious, including the roller-skating Muslim in a robe. The story moves along well, and fans of Chevy Chase will love it if they haven’t already seen it back at its theatrical launch.
The Blu-ray transfer looks great and the DTS lossless surround track brings the sound up to present-day standards in those scenes where the surround is effectively used – which is not many. The bonus feature on the complicated prosthetics required to turn Chase into his various outrageous characters is quite watchable.
– John Sunier
