We know that you have been waiting some time for this. THE ODD COUPLE COLLECTION. A three disc set, featuring the 1968 original, the 1998 sequel (they called it a reunion) and the popular television shows greatest episodes. It had to come all the way from Australia, here to rainy England and it had also to be given the right amount of due care and attention, you dear reader have requested. Since it is your hard earned that will be investing init. You see this is not just any set. It is a set that is housed in a delightful rigid box, with lovingly reproduced art work and inside, three separate discs, which have a wealth of extra content (no booklets). I will need to break each down and give you my honest thoughts. I am going to set a marker, rating each Disc (or film quality) and Extra (additional content) out of 10 and if the total doesnt cross 50, I would run for the hills! Starting with said exterior box and said looks of each disc, well that should be a clear 8/10. Great exterior box, nice finish but dull on each disc packaging.
THE ODD COUPLE
So, starting off with Neil Simon’s classic. Can two newly divorced men, One a super clean freak called Felix Ungar (Jack Lemmon) and another a slovenly slob called Oscar Maddision (Walter Mathau), live together in perfect harmony for the first part? Well you know the story and it would be remiss of me to not mention that Felix wants to kill himself and thanks to Oscar, food, buddies and two British babes, he might survive. So the film is pitch perfect, planting the play in a tight frame and having a great cast roll and riff off each other. Funny, tender and brilliant. But what I hear you ask is, Have Imprint made it worth my time importing it and is it worth my time, once it has arrived?
DISC – 8/10
Picture quality is consistent and this seep through into the colour ratio, tone and balance. Paramount Pictures have this as a big ticket film, so they are going to at least, keep it in good condition. Though 1080p condition, I feel it wouldn’t really benefit from a 4K restoration, although there is room.
EXTRAS 6/10
Matthau & Lemmon / Lemmon & Matthau is an interesting feature. More talking heads and vox pop stuff. The old commentary is two sons talking about their dads but adds little new to the film and the new commentary is a touch academic and dry for taste. I appreciate though, the level of work gone into all of this, just feel it adds very little to the overall interaction with or discourse on, the film.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
1080p high-definition transfer by Paramount Pictures
Audio commentary by Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon
Audio commentary by film historians Nathaniel Thompson and Howard S. Berger (2021)
In the Beginning – featurette
Matthau & Lemmon / Lemmon & Matthau – featurette
Memories from the Set – featurette
Inside The Odd Couple – featurette
The Odd Couple: A Classic – featurette
Isolated audio track featuring Neal Hefti’s score
Theatrical Trailer
Film and Production Photo Galleries
ODD COUPLE II
After the success of GRUMPY OLD MEN and its sequel, the option for an ODD COUPLE sequel was activated. Twenty years on, Felix and Oscar are back again. They stayed apart for so long and now they are together, to visit the wedding of their children. Armed with a map, a banged up car and the same issues of sinus, stress, slobs and slapstick. Howard Deutch delivers an well designed film, that plays to the leads chemistry and their strengths as performers.
DISC 8/10
It stays about two steps ahead of the old VHS I had as a teen. I liked the soft and suppleness of the film visual pace, but also enjoyed that there have been no outrageous excess from any over restoration. This might also be explained by the fact it is a big star vehicle film and the investment to restore it was not to ‘enhance’ it for the modern viewer.
EXTRAS 7/10
All very good on the set here to be honest. Harrison new commentary is a breeze to listen to and keeps it simple, yet also delivers location stories and sequel innovation with an eye on the two stars work as a body. Howard Deutch interview reveals his humour and why he let the two get at it. What made him want to do the film and why it still holds up.
1080p high-definition transfer by Paramount Pictures
Audio commentary by film historian Scott Harrison (2021)
Two Grumpy Men: Directing The Odd Couple II – interview with director Howard Deutch (2021)
Promotional interviews with actors Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Jean Smart, writer Neil Simon and director Howard Deutch
Jack Lemmon, America’s Everyman – 1996 documentary
Walter Matthau, Diamond in the Rough – 1997 documentary
Theatrical Trailer
Photo Gallery
THE ODD COUPLE ON TELEVISION
The set has 10 episodes covering all of the five seasons. With stars Tony Randall and Jack Klugman taking over from Jack and Walter. Making them their own and winning awards as well. Though it is a mixture of average and excellent episodes, you will come away with some laughs, some tears and a lot of fun.
DISC 6/10
TV from 35mm should look better. It should be ratioed properly and you should invest in it across its seasons. Skimp and it will be obvious. Sadly.
EXTRAS 9/10
Garry Marshall commentary, with a lot of the discussion on TV secrets and how Film and TV translates differently, is a school for those looking to either break into or have a more deeper understanding of the fields. The gag reel are brilliant fun, revealing a side to the project that you wouldn’t see and in many respects, is well disguised in the show. Great fun indeed.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
1080p high-definition transfers
Audio commentary by series executive producer Garry Marshall on “They Use Horseradish, Don’t They?”
Two Original Series Promos
Gag reel with audio introduction by producer Garry Marshall
Opening titles without narration
Isolated music and effects audio track on every episode
Series Photo Gallery
Collectible hard-box packaging on the first 1500 units.
Total Score
DISC – 22 / 30
EXTRAS – 22/30
SET – 52/70
Better buy it!
https://viavision.com.au/shop/the-odd-couple-collection-imprint-collection-104-105/
