Plot: What’s it about?
The main difference between the 80’s and the 90’s is…well, it’s hard to say. Technology is certainly a factor, and the way movies are made is another. We might venture to say that the way movies are based on is yet another. I mean, when was the last time that you heard that grainy-voiced announcer say “From the best-selling board game comes________”? Right. Clue, to my knowledge, is the only movie to come to the screen that’s been based on a board game. While the 90’s took video games and made them into movies (Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Anihiliation, Double Dragon…) it’s more likely for a hit movie to become a video game nowadays. Anyway, enough of the history, onto the movie!
Clue came to the screen from the minds of two comic geniuses, John Landis and Jonathan Lynn. Lynn directed and Landis wrote the screenplay. Landis, knowing how to bring them in (the crowds that is), crafted a very unique type of movie and to my knowledge, is an effect that has yet to be used again. Clue is a literal translation from the board to the screen. We have all the major players, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Col. Mustard…all on the screen. It seems that the characters in question are all of Washington D.C. and all being blackmailed by a man known as “Mr. Body”. Mr. Body is abruptly killed, conveniently after all of the characters are given gifts by him. These gifts can also kill a man (lead pipe, rope, candlestick…) and we are lead to believe that anyone could be the killer…basically the same premise of the game.
After the murder, the characters literally run around the mansion trying to figure out what to do with the ever-accumulating pile of dead bodies. They were told that the police would arrive in under an hour and it’s a race against time to try and cover their tracks and escape! Here’s where Clue is different that the average movie…Just like in the game, each ending is different. Paramount has included three different endings, which can be selected to be played at random (much more fun) or you can see the home video version which has annoying screens that say “That’s how it happened…but it could have happened like this”. All in all, Clue is a very fun movie that is superbly directed and has enough material for anyone to laugh. If you’ve never seen it, sit back and enjoy.
Video: How does it look?
This is the first widescreen version for “Clue” and it looks very good. Paramount has given the film a brand new 16:9 transfer and it’s nice to see a film 15 years old can look this good. Black levels are right on and the definition is very sharp, without the overexposure you often find in some newer DVD’s. While a few grains of digital artifacting exist, it’s really nothing to get upset over. The image is clear and clean and you’ll be very happy with the transfer that was provided.
Audio: How does it sound?
Suprisingly, Clue was not remastered in 5.1 sound. Paramount is a studio that goes back and remasters most all of it’s titles in a new 5.1 mix and provides the original tracks as well. While there are “purists” out there, they will be happy here. The original mono mix sounds very good, and I use Caddyshack as a good comparison. You don’t need awesome sound to make a very entertaining movie. Though on some occasions, it does help. Dialogue and “surround” effects sound great, but it’s no match considering today’s movies…
Supplements: What are the extras?
I don’t know if this could be considered an “extra” or not, but Paramount was smart when they included the “random” endings, it makes the movie a lot more fun. And if you want to see all three at once, then you have that option as well. An original theatrical trailer is included as well…
