QUICK TAKES: Generation Friends; Aladdin (2019) Blu-ray; Aladdin (1992) Blu-ray; John Wick 3 Blu-ray
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| Courtesy of Dutton |
(Available Sept. 17.)
In September 1994, Friends made its debut on NBC and quickly became one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history. That’s right: it has been 25 years since viewers first met Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey.
For the show’s most diehard fans, those relationships are still going strong today. Although the series ended in 2004, it never really left. It remains in syndication and Netflix recently made headlines for paying a reported $100 million to keep the show on its site until Warner Bros. launches its new streaming service sometime next year.
To commemorate this big anniversary, Generation Friends an addictive new book by pop culture historian Saul Austerlitz, is hitting shelves soon. The author and his publicists were kind enough to send me an advanced copy, which I devoured over a few days. It’s meticulously researched, but Austerlitz’s breezy writing style makes it accessible to scholars and general fans alike.
The book is a fascinating behind-the-scenes analysis of the series, chronicling its creation, how it became a worldwide phenomenon, and its unprecedented afterlife thanks to a new generation of fans. Relying on a range of sources, including exclusive interviews with creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman, executive producer Kevin Bright, director James Burrows, and many other producers, writers and cast members, Austerlitz has crafted what may be the definitive history of Friends.
To get a sense of the show’s ongoing popularity, the author points out a staggering fact: if Nielsen ratings included reruns, Friends would still be the ninth-highest-rated program on television. That’s insane. Austerlitz posits several persuasive reasons for the series’ impact and staying power, besides obvious answers like the magnetic cast and brilliant writers.
He also highlights the cultural, sociological and psychological ramifications of such a massive hit. Yes, everyone involved was handsomely compensated for their efforts, but that kind of success takes a toll.
Of course, the history of Friends is not without its blemishes. While the show remains addictive thanks to its combination of heart, raunchy humor and soap opera tropes, it hasn’t aged well in other respects.
Its lily-white version of Manhattan has been frequently criticized and the writers’ room responsible for the characters’ bawdy humor was subject to a precedent-setting sexual harassment lawsuit. New viewers have also voiced their displeasure at several homophobic and transphobic plotlines (although the series was also groundbreaking in its depiction of a same-sex wedding during the first season).
Although Austerlitz spends a little too much time in the final chapter focusing on the lives of modern fans (it’s interesting information, just a bit tangential), Generation Friends contains some of the best pop culture analysis I’ve read in quite some time. We’re living in a culture that thrives on nostalgia rather than creating new work, so we might as well get a few good books out of it.
Grade: A-
Blu-ray Review: Aladdin (2019)
(Rated PG for some action/peril. Available Sept. 10.)
The cast: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari and Nasim Pedrad.
What it’s about: This live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1992 animated classic revisits the tale of charming street rat Aladdin (Massoud), who falls in love with the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine (Scott). Perhaps an eager-to-please Genie (Smith) can get these two impossibly beautiful people together?
The good: Only Disney shareholders would argue that a new version of Aladdin was necessary. Still, it mostly acquits itself thanks to some solid performances, a couple of hilarious party sequences and outstanding choreography. Smith was never going to match Robin Williams’ iconic performance as the motormouthed Genie. Fortunately, he’s allowed to put his own spin on the character. Scott is the other big standout, putting a modern spin on Princess Jasmine that gives the character more agency. She’s a terrific actress who looks almost exactly like her animated counterpart, and she’s got an amazing singing voice.
The not-so-good: The remake adds almost 40 minutes of new material, most of it unnecessary. Jafar remains a one-note villain despite the screenplay’s efforts to explain his desire for power. Perhaps it’s in the casting: Kenzari is a bland presence who never really gets a handle on the character. The set design is also lifeless considering the film’s massive budget. There are moments where it feels like a Disney Channel movie.
Special features: Three behind-the-scenes featurettes; “Desert Moon” (deleted song); six deleted scenes; bloopers; and three music videos.
Grade: B-
Blu-ray Review: Aladdin (1992, Signature Collection)
(Rated G. Available Sept. 10.)
The cast: Robin Williams, Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin and Gilbert Gottfried.
What it’s about: See above, but better.
The good: Disney is cashing in on the nostalgia and goodwill that comes with the 2019 remake by releasing a new edition of the animated classic that started it all. If you don’t already have the original in your library, I recommend picking up this one and calling it a day. The remake will be on Disney+ soon enough.
There are some interesting new bonus features (see below), but the main reason to grab a copy of the Blu is the outstanding picture quality. It’s a welcome reminder of how phenomenal hand-drawn animation was, even on the verge of extinction. Plus, the late Williams’ work as the Genie is hilarious and poignant.
The songs, a group effort by composer Alan Menken and lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice (who took over for Ashman following his death), remain showstoppers. “Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World” are probably the most popular, but “One Jump Ahead” and “Prince Ali” have their charms too.
The not-so-good: Nothing, really. Aside from a couple of insensitive jokes and dated pop culture references, “Aladdin” has aged remarkably well. There’s a reason most people consider it iconic.
Special features: Sing-along version of the film; actor Scott Weinger reflects on almost 30 years voicing Aladdin; footage of actors in the recording booth; alternate endings; over 40 “classic” bonus features from previous releases.
Grade: A
Blu-ray Review: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
(Rated R for pervasive strong violence, and some language. Available Sept. 10.)
The cast: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Mark Dacascos and Asia Kate Dillon.
What it’s about: Picking up immediately after the events of the previous installment, skilled assassin John Wick (Reeves) is running for his life with a $14 million price tag on his head and every killer on the planet looking to cash in.
The good: Parabellum maintains the franchise’s welcome tradition of practical stunts, creative fight choreography and skilled direction. This chapter even highlights some truly outstanding hand-to-hand combat. Reeves continues to revel in this new stage of his career as a man who’d rather shoot people in the head than talk. The best part of the movie is easily an extended sequence in which Wick fights alongside Berry’s character and her canine companions.
The not-so-good: The story’s a blast, but the filmmakers’ obsession with cliffhangers and convoluted mythology is getting out of hand. This installment’s tease for a fourth movie offers a chance to end the franchise in a cool way before it runs out of steam, but I’m not holding my breath.
Special features: Nine behind-the-scenes featurettes; two theatrical trailers; John Wick Hex game trailer; behind-the-scenes of John Wick Hex featurette.
Grade: B
Grade: A-
Blu-ray Review: Aladdin (2019)
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| Courtesy of Disney |
The cast: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari and Nasim Pedrad.
What it’s about: This live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1992 animated classic revisits the tale of charming street rat Aladdin (Massoud), who falls in love with the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine (Scott). Perhaps an eager-to-please Genie (Smith) can get these two impossibly beautiful people together?
The good: Only Disney shareholders would argue that a new version of Aladdin was necessary. Still, it mostly acquits itself thanks to some solid performances, a couple of hilarious party sequences and outstanding choreography. Smith was never going to match Robin Williams’ iconic performance as the motormouthed Genie. Fortunately, he’s allowed to put his own spin on the character. Scott is the other big standout, putting a modern spin on Princess Jasmine that gives the character more agency. She’s a terrific actress who looks almost exactly like her animated counterpart, and she’s got an amazing singing voice.
The not-so-good: The remake adds almost 40 minutes of new material, most of it unnecessary. Jafar remains a one-note villain despite the screenplay’s efforts to explain his desire for power. Perhaps it’s in the casting: Kenzari is a bland presence who never really gets a handle on the character. The set design is also lifeless considering the film’s massive budget. There are moments where it feels like a Disney Channel movie.
Special features: Three behind-the-scenes featurettes; “Desert Moon” (deleted song); six deleted scenes; bloopers; and three music videos.
Grade: B-
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| Courtesy of Disney |
(Rated G. Available Sept. 10.)
The cast: Robin Williams, Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin and Gilbert Gottfried.
What it’s about: See above, but better.
The good: Disney is cashing in on the nostalgia and goodwill that comes with the 2019 remake by releasing a new edition of the animated classic that started it all. If you don’t already have the original in your library, I recommend picking up this one and calling it a day. The remake will be on Disney+ soon enough.
There are some interesting new bonus features (see below), but the main reason to grab a copy of the Blu is the outstanding picture quality. It’s a welcome reminder of how phenomenal hand-drawn animation was, even on the verge of extinction. Plus, the late Williams’ work as the Genie is hilarious and poignant.
The songs, a group effort by composer Alan Menken and lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice (who took over for Ashman following his death), remain showstoppers. “Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World” are probably the most popular, but “One Jump Ahead” and “Prince Ali” have their charms too.
The not-so-good: Nothing, really. Aside from a couple of insensitive jokes and dated pop culture references, “Aladdin” has aged remarkably well. There’s a reason most people consider it iconic.
Special features: Sing-along version of the film; actor Scott Weinger reflects on almost 30 years voicing Aladdin; footage of actors in the recording booth; alternate endings; over 40 “classic” bonus features from previous releases.
Grade: A
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| Courtesy of Lionsgate |
(Rated R for pervasive strong violence, and some language. Available Sept. 10.)
The cast: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Mark Dacascos and Asia Kate Dillon.
What it’s about: Picking up immediately after the events of the previous installment, skilled assassin John Wick (Reeves) is running for his life with a $14 million price tag on his head and every killer on the planet looking to cash in.
The good: Parabellum maintains the franchise’s welcome tradition of practical stunts, creative fight choreography and skilled direction. This chapter even highlights some truly outstanding hand-to-hand combat. Reeves continues to revel in this new stage of his career as a man who’d rather shoot people in the head than talk. The best part of the movie is easily an extended sequence in which Wick fights alongside Berry’s character and her canine companions.
The not-so-good: The story’s a blast, but the filmmakers’ obsession with cliffhangers and convoluted mythology is getting out of hand. This installment’s tease for a fourth movie offers a chance to end the franchise in a cool way before it runs out of steam, but I’m not holding my breath.
Special features: Nine behind-the-scenes featurettes; two theatrical trailers; John Wick Hex game trailer; behind-the-scenes of John Wick Hex featurette.
Grade: B
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