Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Who would have expected a special edition for '80s cult film The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension? That is exactly what MGM has delivered with this DVD, and the results are exceptional. The special features for this disc are rather unique, as they present this film like Bonzai actually lived. A nice documentary, with vintage interviews from the cast, and new material with director W.D. Richter doesn't go into great detail, but is still informative and amusing. A real plus is a commentary track with Richter and writer Earl Mac Rauch. Also, on a subtitle track, information is presented as fact about the history of the characters. Knowing the movie is obviously fiction makes this track all the more entertaining. In addition, there are character profiles, information about the "jet car," a photo gallery, an alternate opening (with Jamie Lee Curtis), a tease trailer, deleted scenes, and much more. As for the picture and sound, care has been taken there also. The 2.35:1 anamorphic image is the best this film has seen since the theaters. Though not without some problems, such as moments of grain, it looks far better than would be expected for such a relatively unknown movie. The sound is also good, but not necessarily strong. The 5.1 English track is primarily centered upfront, with only limited use of the surrounds. The front right and left speakers do get some use, creating a little directional effect. Also available is a mono track in French, as well as subtitles in French and Spanish. While there is no question this isn't a film that will ever appeal to a wide audience, fans will be highly grateful that so much work went into this disc. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
• Audio: PCM Mono, 5.1
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Subtitle: French, English, Spanish
• Features:
  • Alternate opening
  • "Buckaroo Banzai" declassified documentary
  • Deleted scenes archives
  • Commentary with director W.D. Richter and writer Earl Mac Rauch
  • Character profiles
  • Banzai Institute archives
  • Photo gallery
  • "Jet Car All Access"
  • Pinky Carruther's unknown facts

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Peter Weller - Buckaroo Banzai
       John Lithgow - Dr. Emilio Lizardo
       Ellen Barkin - Penny Priddy
       Jeff Goldblum - New Jersey
       Christopher Lloyd - John Bigboote

• Director:

  W.D. Richter

• Producer:

  Neil Canton, W.D. Richter

• Screenwriter:

  Earl Mac Rauch

• Cinematographer:

  Fred Koenekamp

• Composer (Music Score):

  Michael Boddicker

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Bones Howe

• Editor:

  George Bowers, Richard Marks

• Production Designer:

  J. Michael Riva

• Art Director:

  Rick Carter, Stephen Dane

• Associate Producer:

  Dennis E. Jones

REVIEWS:

• It's not difficult to understand why The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension never caught on with a mass audience. The story is told in an overtly complex way that makes the viewer work hard to follow it, it downplays blockbuster-style action in favor of idea-driven science fiction, and the proceedings are driven by a stylized sort of humor that isn't for every viewer. However, none of this means that it's a bad film; it's merely an acquired taste. Earl MacRauch's script suffers from periodic slow spots where it seems to be overwhelmed by its self-conscious complexity, but it makes up for this with a consistently high level of imagination and plenty of intriguingly quirky characterizations. These characters are brought to life by a gifted cast that wisely plays the material straight. Peter Weller is appropriately stoic as the renaissance man hero and Ellen Barkin makes an endearing (if underused) romantic foil as Penny, but it is John Lithgow who takes top honors as Dr. Lizardo. His inspired dementia lives up to the story's sci-fi pulp roots and gives the film a fresh shot of energy whenever he pops up. Behind the camera, first-time director W.D. Richter shows a good eye for comic book-styled visuals and brings a humorous but gentle touch to the film that provides a subtle balance to its wacked-out humor. All in all, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension is probably too eccentric and challenging for a general audience, but is full of delights for anyone willing to tune into its unique wavelength. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
• It's not difficult to understand why {#The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension} never caught on with a mass audience. The story is told in an overtly complex way that makes the viewer work hard to follow it, it downplays blockbuster-style {\action} in favor of idea-driven {\science fiction}, and the proceedings are driven by a stylized sort of humor that isn't for every viewer. However, none of this means that it's a bad film; it's merely an acquired taste. {$Earl MacRauch}'s script suffers from periodic slow spots where it seems to be overwhelmed by its self-conscious complexity, but it makes up for this with a consistently high level of imagination and plenty of intriguingly quirky characterizations. These characters are brought to life by a gifted cast that wisely plays the material straight. {$Peter Weller} is appropriately stoic as the renaissance man hero and {$Ellen Barkin} makes an endearing (if underused) romantic foil as {%Penny}, but it is {$John Lithgow} who takes top honors as {%Dr. Lizardo}. His inspired dementia lives up to the story's {\sci-fi} pulp roots and gives the film a fresh shot of energy whenever he pops up. Behind the camera, first-time director {$W.D. Richter} shows a good eye for comic book-styled visuals and brings a humorous but gentle touch to the film that provides a subtle balance to its wacked-out humor. All in all, {#The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension} is probably too eccentric and challenging for a general audience, but is full of delights for anyone willing to tune into its unique wavelength. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

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