RUSTLERS'
RHAPSODY ($15) is a gentle and affectionate, yet very funny spoof of
"B" movie westerns and singing cowboys. Tom Berenger stars in RUSTLERS'
RHAPSODY as Rex O'Herlihan, a virtuous, singing cowboy hero, with an
absolutely amazing wardrobe, who travels the west protecting defenseless
common folk from evil robber barons and their endless stream of no good
henchmen. Arriving in the latest in a string of generic western towns, Rex
finds that the helpless sheep farmers are being driven off their land by
the hired guns that work for Colonel Ticonderoga (Andy Griffith), a cattle
baron of somewhat dubious sexuality. Of course, Rex outguns all of
Ticonderoga’s men, which only causes the villain to join forces with a
Railroad baron (Fernando Rey). During the course of this adventure Rex
takes on the reformed town drunk (G.W. Bailey) as a sidekick, attracts the
attentions of both the saloon hostess (Marilu Henner) and the Colonel's
daughter (Sela Ward), plus he faces off against another good guy (Patrick
Wayne), one possibly even more virtuous than himself.
Paramount
Home Entertainment has made RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY available on DVD in
a 1.78:1 wide screen presentation that has been enhanced for playback on
16:9 displays. RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY has been supplied with a very
pleasing transfer that produces a crisp image and a very nice level of
fine detail. Colors appear fairly well saturated, and the flesh tones are
quite attractive. There are no signs of chroma noise or fuzziness to mar
the fine color reproduction. Blacks are accurately rendered, whites are
clean and the picture produces smooth contrast. The film elements appear
very clean, although a mild grain structure crops up from time to time.
Digital compression artifacts are usually well concealed.
For
this release, RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY has been upgraded to a Dolby
Digital 5.1 channel soundtrack. The pre-matrixed Dolby Surround stems
would appear to be the source for this soundtrack, as the mix has a
somewhat dated implementation. In 5.1, the sound is cleaner and better
defined than it was in matrixed surround, although the forward soundstage
remains dominant, as it would in any mid-1980s sound mix. The surround
channels provide ambient sound, musical reinforcement and occasional
active effects. Fidelity is quite good for a soundtrack of this era, plus
the musical content of the track comes across in a rich, full-bodied
manner. Dialogue is very cleanly rendered, plus the voices have a strong
sense of presence. An English Dolby Surround track is also encoded onto
the DVD, as are English subtitles. The basic interactive menus allow one
access to the standard scene selection and set up features. No
supplemental content has been included on the DVD.
RUSTLERS'
RHAPSODY is a sweet and lovingly crafted spoof of the long ago
vanished genre of "B" movie westerns featuring singing cowboys.
Paramount has done quite well by the film, offering a very fine looking
transfer and good sound. Considering its presentation and bargain price, RUSTLERS'
RHAPSODY is a DVD that is well worth acquiring.
RUSTLERS'
RHAPSODY ($15) is a gentle and affectionate, yet very funny spoof of
"B" movie westerns and singing cowboys. Tom Berenger stars in RUSTLERS'
RHAPSODY as Rex O'Herlihan, a virtuous, singing cowboy hero, with an
absolutely amazing wardrobe, who travels the west protecting defenseless
common folk from evil robber barons and their endless stream of no good
henchmen. Arriving in the latest in a string of generic western towns, Rex
finds that the helpless sheep farmers are being driven off their land by
the hired guns that work for Colonel Ticonderoga (Andy Griffith), a cattle
baron of somewhat dubious sexuality. Of course, Rex outguns all of
Ticonderoga’s men, which only causes the villain to join forces with a
Railroad baron (Fernando Rey). During the course of this adventure Rex
takes on the reformed town drunk (G.W. Bailey) as a sidekick, attracts the
attentions of both the saloon hostess (Marilu Henner) and the Colonel's
daughter (Sela Ward), plus he faces off against another good guy (Patrick
Wayne), one possibly even more virtuous than himself.
Paramount
Home Entertainment has made RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY available on DVD in
a 1.78:1 wide screen presentation that has been enhanced for playback on
16:9 displays. RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY has been supplied with a very
pleasing transfer that produces a crisp image and a very nice level of
fine detail. Colors appear fairly well saturated, and the flesh tones are
quite attractive. There are no signs of chroma noise or fuzziness to mar
the fine color reproduction. Blacks are accurately rendered, whites are
clean and the picture produces smooth contrast. The film elements appear
very clean, although a mild grain structure crops up from time to time.
Digital compression artifacts are usually well concealed.
For
this release, RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY has been upgraded to a Dolby
Digital 5.1 channel soundtrack. The pre-matrixed Dolby Surround stems
would appear to be the source for this soundtrack, as the mix has a
somewhat dated implementation. In 5.1, the sound is cleaner and better
defined than it was in matrixed surround, although the forward soundstage
remains dominant, as it would in any mid-1980s sound mix. The surround
channels provide ambient sound, musical reinforcement and occasional
active effects. Fidelity is quite good for a soundtrack of this era, plus
the musical content of the track comes across in a rich, full-bodied
manner. Dialogue is very cleanly rendered, plus the voices have a strong
sense of presence. An English Dolby Surround track is also encoded onto
the DVD, as are English subtitles. The basic interactive menus allow one
access to the standard scene selection and set up features. No
supplemental content has been included on the DVD.
RUSTLERS'
RHAPSODY is a sweet and lovingly crafted spoof of the long ago
vanished genre of "B" movie westerns featuring singing cowboys.
Paramount has done quite well by the film, offering a very fine looking
transfer and good sound. Considering its presentation and bargain price, RUSTLERS'
RHAPSODY is a DVD that is well worth acquiring.
