Review by Screenjabber
Stars Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell & Adam Sandler
UK certification 15 | UK RRP £24.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 298 minutes
Saturday Night Live is an institution on American televion. Since 1975, the late-night sketch comedy show has launched the careers of some of the greatest stars of stage, TV and film – Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Harry Shearer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, Rich Hall, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Ben Stiller, Dennis Miller, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey just to name a few. Here we have a collection of sketches and stand-up from four of the best-known SNL stars – availabe as one set, or as separate DVDs (for £9.99 each) ...
Adam Sandler: If this is the "Best of", I'd hate to see the worst bits. Even allowing for the differences between US and UK humour, the fact that audiences have, hopefully got more sophisticated since Sandler's five year stint ended in 1995, or SNL's legendarily patchy quality, most of this disc is dull, predictable and plain unfunny. There are a couple of decent moments. Singing news commentator Opera Man raises a laugh or two (although many of the stories featured will be unknown to anyone outside the US) and The Denise Show, a cable programme about his ex-girlfriend is borderline genius, but that's scant reward. ? Neil Davey
Chris Rock: And then along comes Chris Rock to prove that actually, the problem with the Sandler disc isn't SNL's legendary patchy quality, it's Adam Sandler. Rock's collection, gleaned from three years of the programme, overlaps with Sandler's time in the show but with the one crucial difference: he's bloody funny - and not just because he looks about 11 in some of the early sketches. Or, even, that they often feature a rather chubby Tracy Morgan - although that is quite amusing. Rock's news commentary has proper edge - such as arguing that you'll never have a black vice president because that just means a black man would kill the president - his stand-up is uncomfortably spot on, and the sketches here are mostly hilarious and often with a message: the New Jersey version of Blind Date is a masterpiece of satirising casual racism. According to the extras, three or four sketches are cut every week between dress rehearsal and actual show. They then show a Rock sketch that never made it to air - and it's 12 times funnier than anything on the Sandler disc. ???? Neil Davey
Will Ferrell: This is probably one for the more completest Ferrell fans with more misses than hits. While providing a good showcase for his physical comedy it also proves he can be the straight guy when needed. I'm not sure all the cultural references cross the Pond that well although a Harry Caray sketch with Jeff Goldblum stands out, as does another with Jim Carrey. Of course no disc devoted to Ferrell's time on SNL would be complete without the appearance of George W Bush but it is a case of blink and you'll miss it. Extras include Ferrell's audition (featuring the aforementioned Carrey) plus outtakes and appearances on Conan O'Brien's talk show. ??? Jenny Priestley
Eddie Murphy: We love to ridicule Murphy here at Screenjabber, mainly because he continues to make really, really bad films (he will NEVER be forgiven for the godawful Norbit, the film that allegedly blew his chance at an Oscar). But watching these SNL sketches is a perfect reminder of what a funny, clever and yes, talented, man Murphy once was. The highlights are the musical numbers – he really can sing – where Murphy impersonates James Brown, Little Richard and Stevie Wonder. And Murphy also makes a terribly cute Tooth Fairy, 20-odd years before The Rock did. Extras are some very funny bloopers and outtakes. ??? Stuart O'Connor