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A Hard Day's Night
Movie: 10/10
I am a huge Beatles fan. I have basically been one since birth. I remember hearing Sgt. Pepper constantly as a small boy along with other classics like the White Album, Rubber Soul, and Abbey Road. I have recently become re-addicted to the Beatles and their musical genius. While I am not a huge fan of their early "boy-band" work, I was pleasantly surprised by this film. A Hard Day's Night gave me one of the warmest feelings I've ever had while watching a film. The only other movie to come close to this was the contemporary masterpiece of Amelie. If you haven't seen A Hard Day's Night, I must tell you it doesn't have much of a plot. It is basically just a document of a day in the life (hehehe) of the Beatles during the time known as "Beatlemania" intertwined with musical numbers. John, Paul, George, and Ringo are all having a great time on film, as Richard Lester shows us, and they all have a comic charisma which is excellent. I love this movie and I couldn't help but sing along with them.
Video: 9/10
This film is nearly forty years old and it looks spectacular. Miramax re-released it briefly last year in theatres with a nice re-mastered video track. The transfer brings the beautiful black and white images to the DVD treatment this masterpiece deserves. Anamorphic-widescreen by the way.
Audio: 7/10
This is where Miramax didn't fulfill it's needs as well. I'm not quite sure if it was the television I watched it on, (my dorm is not equipped with my set up at home) but the beautiful music of the Beatles sounded kinda reverby. However, the Oscar-nominated dialogue is crystal clear, but it's the music that really matters. The box claims the soundtrack is remastered and while it sounds a lot better than it did a couple years ago on A&E it doesn't sound perfect. Dolby 5.1.
Extras: 8/10
Miramax gave this film the treatment it deserved with countless documentaries and featurettes. Covering everything from the production crew, a look back at the film, an interview with the Beatles album cover designer and engineer, and even a tribute to Wilfred Brambell (aka Paul's Granddad in the film). I can't think of much that is missing here except a commentary. It would have been nice to hear the surviving Beatles on a track or Richard Lester and Steven Soderbergh comment. (They shared many interviews together in Soderbergh's book, Getting Away With It, regarding A Hard Day's Night.) However, that's a small gripe in regards to the package as a whole. Nice job Miramax!
Overall: 8/10
Better hurry up! This DVD was twenty bucks last week and it might skyrocket back to it's thirty dollar tag soon! All I want now is to see The Beatles Anthology (the ABC special from 1996) on DVD. I love the Beatles!
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