A Christmas Story [HD DVD]

Review by Robert Graves for A Christmas Story [HD DVD]
Rating:
Released this fall, the “Christmas Story” collector’s edition is really a 20th anniversary version of the classic. First, let me say I can’t believe it’s been out for 20 years. I thought 12, at the most 15. Wow.Briefly, for readers who may not be intimately acquainted with the film, I strongly encourage you to purchase “A Christmas Story” and make it a regular part of your holiday routine. It will grow on you with each viewing and you’ll soon find its one-liners making their way into your everyday vernacular. Which version should you get? That’s why you’re reading this review.The original DVD release of “A Christmas Story” had no extra features. Nothing. No commentaries, no interviews, no documentaries. Just the movie. This was greatly disappointing, since I’m a big fan and was interested in the making of the film, what the actors are doing now, etc. So naturally I was looking forward to this special edition. Well, I can’t say I’m too satisfied with the reissue.1. The documentary is very uninformative. The one positive aspect of it is the simple fun of seeing the actors all grown up. Ralphie is 30 now, but looks about the same. Flick has changed more in his appearance and his career choices. (Career choices? You’ll have to look that up yourself. It’s not on the DVD and I’m not about to ruin Christmas for you.) There just isn’t that much to glean about the movie from the special features. If you would like to know what Ralphie wanted for Christmas when he was 10, or what the worst Christmas present Schwartz ever got was, then you’ll likely be absorbed. I wasn’t. What could’ve been an in-depth look at the making of this low-budget masterpiece, intermingled with musings from the actors turned into a Nickelodeon-style “what’s your favorite color” type of Q&A session. What was particularly annoying was the graphics and sound effects that the editors added (e.g., if Ralphie says “my mom put her foot down,” there’s a big crashing sound with a monolithic stone foot superimposed over him. Just stupid). Bottom line, it’s good for the serious fan who wants a peek at the grown up kids, but beyond that it’s useless.2. The other “special features” are even more lame. There’s a trivia challenge (yawn), a decoder game where you match the dialogue from the scene, a history of the daisy rider BB gun, and the original radio readings from Jean Shepherd (the narrator). You might do these once, but it’s nothing worth buying the DVD for.3. The one bright spot is the commentary, and if there’s a reason to buy the special edition, it’s this. The director (Bob Clark) and Ralphie (Peter Billingsly) do provide some more insight into the making of the film, and if you’re the type that enjoys commentaries, you’ll find it’s worth it.4. Lastly, I don’t think the film was restored in any way. We’re talking 20 years here. The film was pretty marked up and I was disappointed they didn’t go to any effort to fix it in the 20th anniversary edition. For those of you that don’t know (and don’t worry, I’ll spare you the 1000 word treatise on the mechanics of film that another reviewer felt the need to share), artists go into the original film and frame by frame they remove specks of dust and dirt, and in some cases they even add paint to touch up obvious artifacts. This apparently didn’t occur in “A Christmas Story” and it badly needed it. This would’ve gone a long way to help the value of this DVD set.So what’s the bottom line? If you intensely love this movie and have for years, then buy the DVD. It will be worth it. But if you’re on the fence, maybe you’ve already got the first issue of the DVD, maybe you throw it in during the holidays, then save your money. And if you’re just getting into the movie and don’t yet own a copy, well, you should probably get the reissue since we’re only talking about a few dollars in price difference.This review applies mostly to readers who already have the first release and are considering getting the new version. If the features I mentioned appeal to you, then go for it. Otherwise, you might be better off just sticking with the original release and using your 20 bucks to get the “Christmas Vacation” reissue, which actually is worth it.

Review by Daniel S. Russell for A Christmas Story [HD DVD]
Rating:
As many other reviewers have queried: Why isn’t this movie in widescreen format? And couldn’t the producers come up with any extra features? The DVD itself gets 3 stars, but the movie deserves 5.These gripes notwithstanding, this movie is a modern-day Christmas classic. It captures the joy and fear and exhilaration and disillusionment of what it was like growing up in an America of a by-gone era. The late Jean Shepherd is from my parents’ generation, but I can still relate completely to Ralphie, Randy and all their friends — bullies at school — Not getting what you really want for Christmas — having your mouth washed out with soap and fantasizing about the day when they’d all be sorry… It’s all there!Darren McGavin is great as the blustery but sentimental dad and Melinda Dillon as the mom who is wiser than her kids give her credit for. The movie is touching and hilarious at the same time. It’s so hard being a kid sometimes!This is one of the few movies I can watch over and over again and still laugh.

Review by Keith for A Christmas Story [HD DVD]
Rating:
This is quite possibly the funniest movie I’ve ever seen. My holiday season officially begins the first time I watch “A Christmas Story”. The movie features wondefully comedic writing, especially in the very effective narrative framework as Peter Billingsley’s character “Ralphie”, now grown, describes the events and characters leading up to the Christmas he receives his first Red Ryder BB Gun, the highlight of his young life. Darren McGavin is hilarious as Ralphie’s dad, and everytime I see “Kenny” on “South Park” I think of the little brother all bundled up in his snowsuit and parka trying to keep up with the big boys. It’s a wonderful family movie. Anyone who watches it can see a piece of their own childhood in the film–the Bumpas’ dogs, the bully Scott Farkas, the admonition that a toy will “shoot your eye out.” It’s beautiful. Watch, rent, buy this movie. You won’t regret it. And don’t take any triple dog dares involving flag poles!