Bottom-2001: An Arse Oddity (2001)

This review is sponsored by

BUY IT

General		Extras
Category	Comedy	Main Menu Audio & Animation Gallery-Photo DVD-ROM Extras-Tour Programme; Screensaver
Rating
Year Of Production	2001
Running Time	86:27 (Case: 85)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Dewi Humphreys
Studio Distributor	Universal Pictures Home Video	Starring	Rik Mayall Adrian Edmondson
Case	?
RPI	$29.95	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	Unknown	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	None	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

    Bottom: 2001 - An A*** Oddity is the fourth in a series of stage shows performed by Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall (this one being in effect a 25th Anniversary show) based around the characters from their comedy show, Bottom. The first thing to be noted is that if vulgarity offends, steer well clear of this effort since about 30% of the entire show has some sort of obscenity in it (which is part of the attraction really). Although not a duplicate of the original TV series, it uses the characterisations of both Eddie and Richie from the show and the interrelationship between the two characters, their neuroses and hang-ups; Richie is still totally devoid of charm and Eddie devoid of cash!

    The show was recorded live in 2001 in Nottingham, England and consists of two acts with a total running time of about 85 minutes. The first act is set on Hooligan Island (as is the third of this series, called Hooligan Island funnily enough) and contains skits and in-jokes galore. While Eddie is missing for three days, Richie has made some hot, dayglo pink pants out of an old kitchen glove and can't get them off. In the meantime, he's been training the parrot who has flown off and gotten killed leading to many a fluffed line. Act 2 is slightly more surreal. After intermission, and Eddie having sunk 17 and a half pints, they find themselves in a Kafka-esque mini-dome with a Do Not Touch button and two chutes for company. This act also includes a musical number entitled "Pants" in which the pair try to encourage the crowd to get their pants off, without much success.

    Apart from the general level of very unsubtle and grossly vulgar humour (which I don't find a problem but others might), the two actors interact with each other and the audience with the practised art of true professionals. The jokes might be crude, the laughs a little too easily come by, but this is an excellent DVD presentation of a stage show that we unfortunately will probably never get to see.

Video

    This is a beautifully presented disc in terms of video. There are some very slight annoyances, but for the most part this is a sumptuous feast for the eyes, given that this is a stage show.

    The transfer is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and is 16x9 enhanced..

    Apart from the occasional but very heavy edge enhancement (32:38 around Eddie's profile) at times, the sharpness is equal to the task of a stage set and show. Shadow detail is fairly inconsequential given that this is a stage show with two simplistic sets. Fine detail, though, is magnificent, with real clarity. Grain is totally subdued throughout with nary a hint of it rearing its head at the worst of times. Low level noise simply isn't an issue.

    The colour is superb even though there isn't a huge variety in the palette in use. Deep blues and solid skin tones along with excellent lighting make this a real pleasure to watch.

    I couldn't find any MPEG artefacts or pixelization in the transfer. I couldn't detect a single artefact, either film or film-to-video to mar the transfer. This is a magnificent effort without even a single blemish at any point. A solid 5-6mb/s bitrate may have a lot to do with this.

    There are no subtitles on this single layered disc.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    A single audio track is available on this disc in English Dolby Digital 2.0 at a bitrate of 192 kilobits per second. To be honest, there really isn't a lot going on that needs anything more than this. A few sound effects, a bit of music at the end and the rest is straight dialogue. For the most part, this is in effect a monaural experience with nothing but Mayall and Edmondson talking, so the vast majority of the sound is concentrated in the centre speaker.

    Dialogue is spot on, as you'd expect as is the audio sync

    Apart from the opening and ending credits which offers the music from the series, there is only one musical item of note, the song "Pants" sung at the end of the show. Most of the stage show is taken up with special effects/audience laughter and dialogue - music would have been out of place.

    There is some audience noise and applause cut into the surrounds, but not enough to create more than a light enveloping effect.

    There was no subwoofer activity noted on this disc.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Main Menu Audio & Animation

Gallery-Photo

DVD-ROM Extras

    As of the time of writing, I can find no evidence of a Region 1 version of this disc being released. Therefore, the Region 4 version is the disc of choice.

    If you were a fan of the original series then you are going to love the DVDs being released at this time. There are four in all, and not knowing which order they ran, I chose this one first. I have seen two of the others and to be honest, this is the weakest of those I've seen so far, yet it offers an hour and a half of laughs, even though they might be fairly crude laughs. Mayall and Edmondson's original series, Bottom, may have run its course, but like all good comedies it has found a new lease of life on the stage, albeit that only the characters remain, and the locations change. A funny show, but probably strictly for the fans.

    The video is delicious. A treat for the eyes and beautifully presented.

    A friend once said "5.1 on a disc like this is like dts on a Wiggles movie". 'Nuff said - it does the job adequately.

    The extras are a little thin all things considered.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall