The King of Comedy

The King of Comedy" arrives on Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, boasting an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. This release showcases the source materials in commendable condition, though director Martin Scorsese's deliberate choice to integrate lo-fi videotape for the TV segments should set viewer expectations for a distinctly softer and less detailed visual experience in those parts. Particularly noticeable are anomalies such as mild ghosting within these sequences. Despite this, the film’s color palette is rendered naturally, steering clear of excessive saturation, thus preserving the film’s intended aesthetic.

Scorsese, along with cinematographer Fred Schuler, splendidly captures the essence of Manhattan through their lens, where outdoor scenes exhibit exceptional detail and, in certain moments, impressive depth of field. Yet, it's worth noting that the overall presentation has a tendency toward mild softness, more so in lesser-lit interior shots. This softness does not detract significantly from the experience, as close-up shots manage to deliver very good to excellent levels of fine detail. Moreover, the contrast is well adjusted across the board, ensuring visual elements are distinct and engaging for the viewer.

In conclusion, while "The King of Comedy" Blu-ray presentation exhibits a few inherent limitations due to artistic choices and filming techniques, it does benefit from a generally strong transfer. The natural color grading and careful attention to contrast and detail in both high and low-light scenes contribute to a visually satisfying experience for viewers. This release underscores the thoughtful balance between preserving the film's original look and feel while offering enhancements that take advantage of modern home entertainment technology.

The audio presentation on "The King of Comedy" Blu-ray provides an experience that's both authentically retro and technically proficient, courtesy of its DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix. This track effectively conveys the film’s primarily dialogue-driven narrative and its minimalistic soundscapes with clarity and precision. While the audio lacks the breadth and depth found in more modern multi-channel mixes, it faithfully represents the original auditory intentions of the film. Listeners will notice a stark contrast between the vibrant, full-bodied reproduction of the Jerry Langford Show theme in the menu’s LPCM 5.1 setup and the more constrained, though still clear, mono presentation within the film itself.

Despite the inherent limitations associated with a mono track, the mix is free from any sort of auditory damage or degradation, showcasing an immaculate preservation of sound quality that respects the film's era. The environmental sounds of the city, along with the meticulously delivered dialogues, are crisp and devoid of any distortion or muddiness. This proves that the team behind this Blu-ray has put in commendable effort to ensure that the audio faithfully serves the movie’s narrative and comedic timing without unnecessary embellishment.

Overall, while some might pine for a multi-channel remix to bring "The King of Comedy" into the auditory landscape of today's home theater systems, this DTS-HD Master Audio Mono presentation admirably upholds the film's original sound design. It provides a clean, undistorted auditory experience that complements the visual restoration, ensuring that fans and new viewers alike can appreciate the nuanced performances and timeless satire with auditory clarity.

The Blu Ray extras for "The King of Comedy" enhance the viewing experience by providing a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the making of this iconic film. Deleted and Extended Scenes offer a deeper dive into the cutting room decisions, while "A Shot at the Top: The Making of The King of Comedy" provides insightful interviews with the cast and crew, revealing the dedication behind the project. The highlight is undoubtedly the Tribeca Film Festival Q&A session, featuring luminaries like Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Jerry Lewis, which not only celebrates the film's legacy but also enriches the viewer's understanding of its impact. These additions are meticulously curated, ensuring both fans and newcomers gain a fuller appreciation of this cinematic masterpiece.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Additional scenes offering more content.
• Tribeca Film Festival: A Conversation with Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Jerry Lewis: An engaging discussion with the key figures behind the film.
• A Shot at the Top: The Making of The King of Comedy: An in-depth look into the creation of the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for the movie.

Martin Scorsese's "The King of Comedy" emerges as a darkly comedic gem from the 1980s, bemusing audiences with its prescient commentary on fame obsession and celebrity culture. Its narrative revolves around the delusionally determined Rupert Pupkin, portrayed by Robert De Niro, who embodies an uncomfortable intersection between aspiration and madness in his quest for recognition. This, paired with Jerry Lewis’s understated performance as the late-night show host Jerry Langford, crafts a complex tableau of ambition and the disturbing lengths to which some will go to achieve it. Not typically celebrated like Scorsese’s more dramatic endeavors, this film has matured, revealing its intricacies and societal relevance over time, particularly in an era now oversaturated with fame-seeking and media omnipresence.

"The King of Comedy" meticulously examines the themes of celebrity worship and the dark turns of stalking, conveyed through the increasingly unsettling actions of De Niro’s Pupkin. In an era far removed from the singular late-night television dominance of figures like Johnny Carson, it narrates a tale that resonates strongly in today's context of widespread media platforms and varied celebrity interaction. The movie, through Scorsese’s discerning lens and Paul D. Zimmerman’s sharp screenplay, articulates a narrative that is both a critique and a prophecy of fame's evolving nature. Its humor, though sparingly deployed, employs a dryness that complements the film's satirical edge, making it more than just a comedy but a poignant commentary on societal obsessions.

Technically and narratively, "The King of Comedy" stands out for its detailed portrayal of misguided ambition, enriched by stellar performances that amplify its thematic concerns. De Niro’s transformation into Pupkin offers a nuanced study of fanaticism, supported by Lewis's compellingly grounded Langford. Their dynamic explores the complexities of public personas versus private realities, underpinned by a script that veers into the realms of discomfort and dark humor. As such, the movie deftly dances around its uneasy topics, making it a prescient piece that has only grown more relevant with time, far exceeding its initial reception to become one of Scorsese’s most intriguing — albeit underappreciated — creations.

The King of Comedy," Martin Scorsese's often overlooked gem from the 1980s, receives a Blu-ray release that keenly underscores its cultural and comedic potency, perhaps even more perceptible in today's context than at its initial release. While it shares thematic DNA with Scorsese's other '80s comedy, "After Hours," this film carves out its own unique space with piercing observations on fame, obsession, and the darker sides of comedic ambition. Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis deliver performances that are both captivating and chilling, perfectly balancing on the tightrope of the film's darkly comedic and unsettling narrative without ever falling into mockery or disdain.

The technical aspects of the Blu-ray are commendable, with video and audio quality that significantly enhance the viewing experience, ensuring that the film’s subtle nuances and period-specific details are preserved and enhanced. This allows for an immersive re-experience or discovery of this cinematic piece that is both a product of its time and eerily prescient of today's celebrity and media landscapes. The addition of thoughtfully curated supplements adds further value, offering deep dives into the making of the film, its cultural impact, and the complexities of its characters and themes.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "The King of Comedy" not only revitalizes an essential Scorsese classic but also provides a compelling case for its relevance in contemporary discourse on media, fame, and the cost of ambition. With standout performances, high-quality technical presentation, and insightful extras, this release comes highly recommended, inviting both new audiences and longtime fans to reconsider this film's place in Scorsese's oeuvre and its commentary on the art and agony of comedy.