Blazing Saddles (HD DVD)

Uhhh... I really didn't want to review this title, but considering Warner has me on their HD DVD list it is my duty to do so and it just makes everything else that much better.

First off, I am not a Mel Brooks fan, even Spaceballs is not funny in my opinion. Taking that into consideration I am not going to bash this film because it wouldn't really be fair. Instead I am going to only go into the HD DVD portion since that is really what you are here for and listening to me bash the movie isn't going to do anyone any good, let's just leave it at I don't like this movie and move on.

In my review of the Cinderella Man HD DVD I mentioned that I was not quite sure how studios decided which movies to release on HD DVD and when and I can see how Blazing Saddles may seem like an odd choice, but let's evaluate that for a second.

The film was released in 1974, the year People magazine was published for the first time, the year President Richard Nixon announced his resignation, the year Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record, it was even the year the UPC label was used for the first time to ring up purchases at a supermarket! Yeah, and now a movie that was created in 1974 is being offered in 2006 in brilliant high-definition and even though I don't like the film I will admit it looks phenomenal!

It is hard to believe what they can do with technology these days and oddly enough a dark comedy such as Blazing Saddles is very much proof of our technological advancements.

Much of the film is presented in the daytime and proves to reveal a brilliant color pallette with its eclectic band of characters all while slamming each and every prejudice on the way. On top of masterful visual appeal the soundtrack is equally impressive as Blazing Saddles becomes the first comedy to hit the new HD DVD format.

So, why is this pic one of Warner's first choices to get the HD DVD treatment? Well, I think I pretty much laid it out for you above, but in plain English it is considered the #6 best comedy of all-time by the AFI; being a film from 1974 it is a perfect test subject to show us the superior video quality of HD DVD and it adds the likelihood of attracting a different audience to the new format.

Would I buy it had it not been sent to me for review? No, and I probably won't watch it again, but as a test subject to check out the new format I will say it makes the grade, and for those out there that like the movie you won't be disappointed.

THE BREAKDOWN
Player Status	Ah ha. This is one of the few HD DVDs that I have been able to play the whole way thru without a hiccup. I am not sure what made this one special, but I had no problems.
Overall Impression	The visual appeal of this HD DVD is strong even though I don't really like the movie at all.
Buy or Wait?	If it was me I would never buy this film, but I know there are a TON of Mel Brooks fans out there that would love to have this film in their collection. Especially since it looks and sounds so damned good.
HD DVD Specific Special Features	There are no HD DVD specific features on this disc.