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  Specs
  • Full Frame
  • Dual Layer (RSDL 57:45)
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Animated menus
Bottom Live - The Big No. 2 Tour
Universal/Universal . R4 . COLOR . 107 mins . MA15+ . PAL

  Feature
Contract

For those unfamiliar with this show, Bottom was a BBC series running in the ‘90s with a huge cult following. Starring Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson (The Young Ones, Guesthouse Paradiso), this series is about the lives of two of society's losers, you could say they are at the Bottom. There are so far a series of four live shows being released on DVD - this is the second instalment, Bottom Live – The Big No 2 Tour.

Set as usual in the decrepit flat of Richie and Eddie, the story begins with the two guys concocting a cunning plan for when the Queen visits Hammersmith. This plan involves explosives, fireworks and a wheelbarrow, and needless to say is a disaster. The aim of the plan is to get “Maj†up to the flat for a ruddy good seeing to, the big problem however is that someone has to clean the toilet. The consequences of this failed plot see the two in prison, sentenced to three hundred and fifty years. They are contemplating if life can get any worse when it transpires that Mr Big has taken a liking to Richie, a fact that Eddie is quite thrilled about. Now all they have to do is try to escape.

Filmed at the Apollo Theatre, Oxford, again in front of an adoring audience, this performance is up to the pair's usual standard. Although it appears not to be as funny as the first instalment, Bottom Live 1, the laughs are still there and fans of the series should be more than satisfied. Being a longer show this time around, the real belly laughs seem a little more spread out, but they are still there in abundance. Again there is plenty of adlibbing, toilet humour, sexual references and interaction with the audience. A nice addition to the first release.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

The transfer is more than adequate and does the job nicely. Presented in full frame, the picture is sharp with no signs of artefacts. Colours are generally true and very good considering stage lighting is used. There are no signs of aliasing and blacks are deep. Shadow detail is also very good, with terrific camera work capturing all facets of the show. The layer change occurs at 57:45, surprisingly not between acts but even so, it is not too intrusive.

Audio supplied is Dolby Digital 2.0 and it is also quite sufficient. Dialogue is clear and the little music that is used is also very audible. There is little separation, only on odd occasions for directional effect and audience noise. On systems that support it, the subwoofer gets little use, only on the odd explosion. There are no subtitles but these are not really needed.

As far as extras go, all we have here are scene selections.

Overall, this is definitely one for the fans and worth a look for anyone else that has an interest in this style of humour. The guys are more offensive than ever and sink even lower with the toilet humour, even though we all thought they couldn't. There is a lot more swearing on this one, but it is used well and not just for the sake of swearing. Definitely a worthy addition to the collection for Bottom fans.


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  •   And I quote...
    "More of the same in this second instalment of the Bottom Live series - more swearing, more toilet humour, more violence and best of all, more laughs..."
    - Adrian Turvey
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Akai DV-P2000
    • TV:
          AKAI CT-29S55AT 68cm
    • Receiver:
          Akai AM-SS1500
    • Speakers:
          Akai
    • Centre Speaker:
          Akai
    • Surrounds:
          Akai
    • Subwoofer:
          Akai
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