![Grease (Rockin' Rydell Edition) [Blu-ray]](http://cdn.hometheaterforum.com/0/0e/50x50px-ZC-B001S86J2Q-612vbXH9TNL.jpg)
In 1972 I spent an evening at the original cast recording session for Grease, and many of the tunes have stayed with me over the intervening decades. This was a great Broadway musical, that six years later, made an superb transition to film.
Here we are, three decades later, after VHS, laser, and DVD, with the the film finally making a high quality debut on home video on Blu-ray, with terrific sounding audio, and an image of high quality, if not occasionally odd looking. Viewing Grease, I was trying to figure out whether the image was processed to remove some grain, or whether it could have been originally as grainless as it appears. Thanks to the all-seeing eye of Blu-ray, it also seems that the optics used on the shoot may not have been of the highest caliber. Numerous shots, possibly taken with zooms, are reasonably sharp in the center of the image, but roll off with aberrations outside of center. Others just seem to be soft enough and lacking detail to look off. Is this processing? I'm not certain.
But that stance may be overlooking a terrific filmed musical, and rather like not seeing the forest for the trees, seeking the insects dining away on the leaves rather than taking in the images of beautiful trees.
While I report these anomalies for the record, it really doesn't damage the presentation, as once you sit back, relax and allow the teen actors -- well, almost -- among the leads, Stockard Channing was 34, John Travolta 24, Didi Conn 27 and Olivia Newton-John 30 -- to take you back to the wonderful '50s where less violent gangs than the sharks and jets made beautiful music.
I can't end this piece without mentioning two actresses who play second leads in the film -- Eve Arden as the principal began her career in film in 1929, while Joan Blondell of the beauty school, began her career in film a year later.
All in all, Grease is a quality Blu-ray, and very close to the one that we've been waiting for, as it far surpasses the standard definition version.
Recommended.
RAH
Here we are, three decades later, after VHS, laser, and DVD, with the the film finally making a high quality debut on home video on Blu-ray, with terrific sounding audio, and an image of high quality, if not occasionally odd looking. Viewing Grease, I was trying to figure out whether the image was processed to remove some grain, or whether it could have been originally as grainless as it appears. Thanks to the all-seeing eye of Blu-ray, it also seems that the optics used on the shoot may not have been of the highest caliber. Numerous shots, possibly taken with zooms, are reasonably sharp in the center of the image, but roll off with aberrations outside of center. Others just seem to be soft enough and lacking detail to look off. Is this processing? I'm not certain.
But that stance may be overlooking a terrific filmed musical, and rather like not seeing the forest for the trees, seeking the insects dining away on the leaves rather than taking in the images of beautiful trees.
While I report these anomalies for the record, it really doesn't damage the presentation, as once you sit back, relax and allow the teen actors -- well, almost -- among the leads, Stockard Channing was 34, John Travolta 24, Didi Conn 27 and Olivia Newton-John 30 -- to take you back to the wonderful '50s where less violent gangs than the sharks and jets made beautiful music.
I can't end this piece without mentioning two actresses who play second leads in the film -- Eve Arden as the principal began her career in film in 1929, while Joan Blondell of the beauty school, began her career in film a year later.
All in all, Grease is a quality Blu-ray, and very close to the one that we've been waiting for, as it far surpasses the standard definition version.
Recommended.
RAH
Of course, having a family w/ kids and all does make it tougher to be more selective. I just picked up Twilight (to go w/ Sin City) for instance even though I saw it on rental just last weekend and didn't care much for it, but I've got a daughter entering that tween age phase (and reading them darned books just like every other girl at her age). Maybe I coulda gotten away w/ not buying Twilight (and Mamma Mia -- though that was like just $5 w/out the case, etc.), if I saw Grease coming and coulda maybe, just maybe (but nah...) appease the kids w/ that instead... 
