Plot: What’s it about?
Quick (Eddie Murphy) is the "son" of Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor) and growing up in Harlem during the depression wasn’t easy. What is more of a satire on gangster movies has turned out to be fairly enjoyable on DVD. Murphy, after his success of the Beverly Hills Cop movies, The Golden Child and Coming to America had the world at his feet; and certainly Paramount was willing to give him anything he wanted. So it’s with this movie (that was both written and directed by Eddie Murphy) that he encountered his first fault. What Harlem Nights does is combine three of the grossest, foul, crude and nasty minds into one movie. I like and respect all of the main actors (Pryor, Foxx and Murphy), but it’s clear that they can come up with some of the most disgusting images and words that have ever graced the screen (or stage). Lest we forget that this movie showcased the last talents of the legendary Redd Foxx who died just a few years after this was made and Richard Pryor who had his troubles with Multiple Sclerosis just shortly after this movie as well. Still, it’s Murphy who pulls them all together and makes the whole thing work. So what’s it all about?
As mentioned above, Murphy is the son of club owner Sugar Ray. Starting out in his youth and then "fast-forwarding" to Quick as an adult. Essentially, Quick and Sugar Ray own and operate the club which is under the control of the Mafia (cue Danny Aiello). We also have Redd Foxx’s character who runs a dice game (though he can hardly see) and it’s not long that the Mafia makes the gang an offer they can’t refuse. This offer, in case you’re wondering, is to leave town so control of the club is totally in the hands of the Mafia. As opposed to agree with them, Quick, Sugar Ray and the rest of the pack decide to go fight the powers that be and see what’s left standing. As you can imagine, this movie is all about comedy and not about violence, so I’ll leave it to you to decide what happens in the end. I can say that Harlem Nights is not as bad as everyone says it is. It really isn’t. Like so many on-screen performances that we love to see, this is one of those rare opportunities that showcase the talents of three generations of comedy. Fans of the movie will likely be let down by the lack of supplements, but it is a real treat to see this movie grace DVD.
Video: How does it look?
Harlem Nights is shown in an anamorphic ratio of 1.85:1 and it leaves a lot to be desired. While I’m positive that the film looks better than it ever has, there are elements of grain throughout. With most shots taking place at night (hence the name of the movie), the black levels are a bit in need of some fine tuning and it makes way for the grain to become more apparent. That being said, the level of detail is very good with a depth that I haven’t seen in any other version of this film. There is a bit of edge enhancement as well. For all that has been said, you’d think it would be almost unwatchable, but it’s really not as bad as it seems. Not good, but not bad either.
Audio: How does it sound?
The title, originally in Dolby Surround on VHS and Laserdisc, has been re-mastered into a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. While not the most robust of tracks, it does deliver on several occasions. Some scenes do tend to have a hollow effect and the surrounds aren’t used as much as they should have been. It seems odd, but when the viewer can say “that should have been in the rear channel” then something may be wrong. Then again, maybe others just watch a movie for the entertainment value of it and don’t try and find fault with the soundtrack! In any case, the profane words abound and you’ll hear every one of them in 5.1 sound. So no need to listen for them…
Supplements: What are the extras?
Theatrical trailer. That is all.
