Xanadu
Magical Musical Edition
UNIVERSAL HOME VIDEO - 61103532

STATS
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1), Color, Dolby Digital 5.1, Languages: English, French, Captions: English SHD, Spanish, French, Chapters:18 , Running Time: 1hr. 36 mins., PG Rated, Price: $24.95



VISUAL
This edition has a much cleaner and smoother look. All film debris and scratches noticeable in the previous DVD release are gone. Even the grain level has been covered up. At times the image seems a bit less sharp but that may be due to a digital wash used to conquer the gain issue. Colors are extremely vivid with only a minor improvement over the last DVD release. The difference is noticeable, but not jaw dropping. Both editions were Anamorphic and present the film in it true aspect ratio.



AUDIO
What’s been done to this film is a travesty. Some idiot at UNIVERSAL has chosen the cheap and short cut and decided that all films which were not recorded in 5.1 needs to be updated. XANDAU was one, which although in stereo was before the advent of digital sound. The original DVD release had the film in 4.0 – there’s nothing wrong with that. Let me make it clear there is nothing really wrong in going back to the film’s original sound elements either and remixing a new 5.1 mix – that is, if that’s what’s done. Seems UNIVERSAL is not doing that, deeming it too expensive. So, instead they are passing the old mix through a ‘box’ that simply spreads out the sound without rhyme or reason filling out a 5.1-like quality. In this process all surround material originally and carefully mixed is gone. Along with that bass is altered and greatly lessened. In the end what is on this release is a completely destroyed version of what the original producers had in mind. If this new fake 5.1 mix was offered along with the original there might be an argument, however it is not. This is not the only film UNIVERSAL has ruined – FLASH GORDEN is another.
PARAMOUNT did the same thing with STAR TREK II, and III.
No other reviewer has mentioned this, let alone caught it. It’s disgusting. Are these people deaf? Who passed this new transfer? The incredible part is that I would place bets that this standard release is from a new Hi-Def transfer which will not only be used for cable cast but for Blu-ray.

EXTRAS
GOING BACK TO XANADU – 1.85:1, Color, Stereo, Running time 27mins., 15secs. Production people come back for new on camera interviews frankly discussing the making of the film and its cold reception. It straight forward and revealing loaded with lots of clips. Strangely, the film’s stars, Olivia Newton John and Michael Beck are strangely absent – now, I can understand Olivia being absent due perhaps to her being not available and living in Australia. Other hand there’s Michael who really should turn down anything that allows him to be remembered. It’s my job to know Michael from THE WARRIORS, HUSTON KNIGHTS and even MURDER SHE WROTE but most people, especially today, will probably say, “Michael who?”

PHOTO GALLERY – The feature is viewer advanced and is quite extensive however – the dope that set it up used a layout that cuts off the bottom third of the picture. It’s was normal for still camera operators to be on the set to shoot pictures for publicity. Back during the production of XANADU 35mm slide film was used. Slides, like photos can be either horizontal or vertical. So in the case of this gallery a square matte for some reason was used which crops every picture in the gallery – more it that picture happens to be vertical. Was it that hard to do two mattes, one for vertical slides and the other for horizontal ones? This is why I’ve have to refer to these people as idiots or stupid – where is the thought?

THEATRICAL TRAILER – 1.33:1, MONO


Disc

PRESENTATION
A new artwork made from publicity stills has been made for the cover of the white plastic Amaray, and the slip case cover (complete with glitter). Main Menu is partially animated and has sound; sub-menus are not. There is no insert with chapter listings.
This double disc set comes with the CD soundtrack – same as the one available separately.



SIGHTS AND INSIGHTS
During its initial release critics scoffed at the film’s lack of logic and narrative perhaps because so much of its story is told through music and the words contained in its songs. Like most musicals the inner thoughts and feelings are expressed by way of song but not usually narrative. In XANADU the music is essentially a Greek chorus playing slyly in the background as in MAGIC. Or in a ballad such as SUSPENDED IN TIME where a plea of love is also an explanation of the ending.
Amongst the glitter and quick movement implanted images of importance are easily lost, such as the Muses which keep popping up as different people guiding events while moving the story along. In deed a short reference to Shakespeare is probably dismissed by most but is well founded in more than one of his sonnets - -one which describes a man’s love for a woman in a painting who will forever be unchanging throughout his life. If all this was lost in 1980 is certainly is beyond the comprehension of a generation weaned on the likes of HERCULES and XENA, bastardized and brainless portrayals of history and myth.
It’s interesting to note when XANADU was first released CD’s were just on the horizon and ready to cast a shadow on vinyl. Yes the film is dated now with its roller skates instead of rollerblades. And one can’t help but crack a smile when hearing a character shout, “Come on, this is the eighties!”. Perhaps now more than before XANADU has fallen into place by way of becoming memorabilia and the different decades represents.

REVIEW by Scott Michael Bosco©
RETURN to the DIGITAL CINEMA Main Page