‘Friday’ & ‘Next
Friday’, I must admit isn’t really my cup of tea (and I don’t even like tea
that much either!), but they were both two films I enjoyed watching.
 .... |
FRIDAY – Gives a pulse with a lesson
to learn, and it all starts with Craig Jones (Ice Cube), who has only yesterday
(Thursday), been fired from his job and now is out of work with nothing to do. Today
(Friday), is a day where so much can happen and Craig realises that he must face a few
challenges that may shape his life in years to come, but for the moment he must find a new
job, break up with his girl, and look out for his buddy’s, not to mention to look out
for Deebo – a big mean guy who thinks he owns people and their possessions. Chris
Tucker plays a zany & funny guy called Smoke, and in his mind there is no better way
to spend the day than with a joint or two. Smoke falls into a little trouble, and Craig
tries helps him out, which leads him down a few paths that may not bode well. The ending a
showdown worth watching, where you see a true moment that shapes the lives of his friends
and characters – watch out Deebo, your turn will come!
 .... |
NEXT FRIDAY - Well Deebo escapes
prison, and Craig’s father takes him to his brother’s place to avoid any chance
Deebo settling unfinished business. During his stay at his Uncles, he realises that the
hood he is in also has some strange going ons. The neighbours are less friendly than his
own hood, and he must keep his distance – but the lure of a beautiful woman within
the neighbours household, has him falling right in the middle of it. Meanwhile the chase
is on for Deebo to find Craig, whilst his Uncle and Cousin are having to pay a tax debt to
which they have no money left over from winning a million dollars. Will Craig rescue his
family from debt, will he get the girl next door, will he be caught by Deebo – All is
revealed in the climax, which tells all.
So how do these transfers hold up?
...  |
VIDEO - FRIDAY
Picture – also a reasonable depiction for DVD standards, and being Anamorphic
Widescreen sure does help these matters – in fact I’m not sure if I
should be reviewing DVD’s in this format – as standard TV’s are missing out
on that extra detail that is encoded into DVD format.
VIDEO - NEXT FRIDAY
Picture quality is much of the same as the first (Go the 16x9 enhancement)
but the higher production values lifts the story into a better realm of quality –
don’t be fooled by this – as looks aren’t everything, but in this case it
seems to be a better look and feel compared to the first. I particularly liked the opening
credits and the use of smoke to connect and reflect the typography – very smooth
reproduction.
 ... |
AUDIO - FRIDAY
2-channel Dolby Digital – limits the environment for this type of
film, especially where a bit of action and great music takes place. Otherwise the main
dialogue is reasonably consistent – pretty much the standard for DVD’s today
– I’m sure that the production of DVD’s are reaching certain standards and
expectations for the consumer – especially reviewers!.
AUDIO - NEXT FRIDAY
Coupled with a cool soundtrack this film is what should have been the key point for the
first – especially where Dolby Digital 5.1 is concerned. Again an
even mix of dialogue, but much clearer than the first (for obvious reasons). Also included
is a Dolby Digial 2.0 Audio track.
EXTRAS - FRIDAY
- Friday: Theatrical Trailer
- Music Video – Ice Cube
- Dolby Digital RAIN Trailer
EXTRAS - NEXT FRIDAY
- Directors Commentary: not bad but not your average good
commentary
- Alternate Ending
- Theatrical Trailer
- 2 Music Videos (Money Stretch – Lil’ Zane, You Can
Do It – Ice Cube)
- Cast and Crew Bios
- Dolby Digital RAIN Trailer
OVERVIEW
If you don’t take films too seriously, and you don’t mind the odd relaxed
comedy, then this is one for you. Good for a few laughs with friends on a Friday night.
| PICTURE
QUALITY |
8/10 clear and colourful |
SOUND
- Quality
- 5.1 WOW Factor |
8/10 quite effective for a film taken in jest
8/10 .1 channel hit hard |
| EXTRAS |
7/10
some great stuff here |
| OVERALL |
7/10 a
good laugh. |
Review Equipment
TV: SONY Trinitron 80cm (16:9 selectable)
DVD: PIONEER DVD, DV525 (via S-Video) / PIONEER DVD/LD, DVL909 (via S-Video)
Receiver: PIONEER THX-ULTRA DD&DTS VSA-E07
Speakers:-
Fronts: SONY towers SS-X7S
Centre: SONY SS-TX7S
Rears: SONY towers SS-X7S
Sub: RICHTER – THOR
- Reviewed 14th May 2001
* jpeg files for internet promotion use
only. Copyright© exists on all aspects of these files by Roadshow Home
Entertainment
|
