Theatrical trailer - Blankman, So I Married and Axe Murderer, The Pest
Blankman
/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment .
R4 . COLOR . 92 mins .
M15+ . PAL
Feature
Contract
Hi, my name is Chris and I'm a B-grade movie junkie. I have personally watched Navy SEALS several times (usually alone) and anything with Bruce Campbell. I think I need help. Too bad there isn't a B-movies Anonymous active in the world, if there was, I'd be a founding member and hard core incurable.
I wear my underpants on the INSIDE.
Whether or not Blankman can be regarded as B-grade is debatable but when the opportunity to review the film came up, I jumped right at it. You see, once a B-movie addict, always a B movie addict. Try as you may to cure yourself by watching art-house or black and white classics, there's just no purging your system of the need to see bad action, stupid jokes, cheap props and crappy acting.
Blankman is Darryl Walker, an eccentric and child-like inventor who one day stumbles upon a formula to make his clothing bullet-proof. After the brutal murder of his grandmother in a city increasingly in the grip of crime and corruption, he is inspired to become a superhero, on a budget.
Time to next gag, 57 seconds.
Damon Wayans has been a favourite of mine since he co-stared in the much underrated Last Boy Scout as ex-footballer Jimmy Dix beside Bruce Willis. He did a good job of almost stealing the show from the Willis but despite using it as a platform from which to launch his career hasn't had a similar role since (except for maybe, Bulletproof).
Blankman is the meat in the Damon Wayans 90's sandwich, the bread being Major Payne (1995) and Mo' Money (1992). His career didn't go far after the mid 90's although he appears to have made a reappearance with the TV series My Wife and Kids as a star and writer.
Video
Audio
Extras
Contract
Number 5 is alive.
The video transfer (16:9 enhanced, 1.85:1) is again, surprisingly good despite the bare bones treatment the disc has been given. A small amount of grain is visible in some parts but not to the point of being a problem. The colours can appear a little muted, especially noticeable because the movie has a cartoon–like feel. The shadows and detail are both excellent, even in dark scenes.
Audio options are English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Surround 2.0 and French Dolby Surround 2.0. The Dolby Digital mix is surprisingly good for such a low budget movie, the bass gets a good workout when music is being played over action, explosions and various other deep bass sounds are loud without being overpowering. The dialog is clear and distinct while the surround channels are put to good use when appropriate.
Holy water Blankman, no pun intended!
Extras on the disc are about as non existent as they get, consisting of just 3 theatrical trailers for Blankman, So I married and Axe Murderer and The Pest. The menu is basic and static, but colourful.
Overall, Blankman doesn’t take itself too seriously and fans of Wayans style comedy will get a kick out of it. I found myself rolling my eyes on a few occasions at what was being passed off as humour but it has its moments and gives a few good laughs. The lack of extras is a disappointment, but people aren’t watching this sort of movie to hear in depth directors commentaries or historical retrospective documentaries, are they?