|
Directed by |
|
Starring |
|
Specs |
|
Languages |
- English: Dolby Digital Stereo
|
Subtitles |
|
Extras |
- Theatrical trailer
- 2 Featurette - Dog Training, The Making of Paws
- Photo gallery
- Interviews
|
|
|
Paws |
Universal/Universal .
R4 . COLOR . 83 mins .
PG . PAL |
Feature |
|
Contract |
|
Why are baddies always so spookily queer? Take a look at Cruella Du Vil from 101 Dalmations or Pablo from The Lizzie McGuire Movie - I mean how ugly was he?! Anyway, Paws is a pretty decent Australian kids movie that has the same production values and themes as one of the weekday after school television shows. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, it just means it's lacking substance and an original story, but hey it passed the afternoon. Ooh, um, hmm it’s a kids film so scrub that last comment. This 1997 film stars Nathan Cavaleri – yeah, the guitar player. It’s a kids’ film so it’s no award winner, and the acting by the entire cast is fitting for the genre of the film. Yes, even Cavaleri. Funnily though, the slick advertises “Heath Ledger in one of his first film roles”. That’s all good and proper, but he has two scenes. Wouldn’t you include that statement on a film which he is the lead star in? Hmm, but anyway. The voice of the pup, PC, is provided by Billy Connolly and this reviewer just kept waiting for the pup to say, in the true Billy accent of course, “for f*ck’s sake”. But alas, this did not prevail. Instead I had to entertain myself with the PG-rated antics. Ooh, hmm, scrub that comment too. Zac (Cavaleri) is a bit of an angry teenager, having just moved to Sydney (and hating it), he doesn’t like his stepfather, his sister is a real pain in the *ahem* and it doesn’t help that his social tendencies are towards his PowerPC. His time in Sydney also isn’t helped by him being persuaded into helping the next door neighbour, Samantha (François), with her production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Anyway, the story starts with a bit of a mystery including a blonde spy, old man and a steak and kidney pie. We soon find out that this blonde bitch has followed the kind old man home, after the pie of course, and kills him by pushing him over the stairwell, as you do. Before she struts in with her abysmal blonde locks, the old man saves some data to a disk, sticks it in his dog, PC's, backpack and hides him in a cupboard. As soon as Anya, the blonde bitch, has left, PC runs off to deliver the disk to Susie. But alas, on the way he gets hit by a car and taken in by a family. Lucky for PC, this family is Susie’s next door neighbours. This is where we meet Zac, part of the dog-hitting family, and Samantha, Susie’s daughter. With PC’s master being an ex-software programmer, he knows his way around a computer, and uses Zac’s voice software to talk in none other than a bold Scottish accent. With a personal PC attached to his backpack, PC, Zac and Samantha are now on the mystery of who killed Alex, and just who is that blonde bitch. The story is fairly simple, contrived and of course predictable, but for the kids, who cares? It’s good entertainment for them, fitting nicely above the baby kids films but still below the young adult arena. With the school holidays looming, if you’re done at the movies and the new release section is worn out, give this one a try.
Video |
|
Contract |
|
The video is presented in a full-frame 1.33:1 aspect, obviously not anamorphically enhanced. It is unsure of whether this is the original aspect of Paws, yet given the theatrical release the film received, it is probably been pan and scanned. Colours are natural and clean, giving that true blue Aussie feel, with solid blacks and no sign of bleeding or discolouration. Film artefacts are minor, as is a slight wash of occasional grain, with some rather corny special effects leading to some nastily defined edges. The clarity of the image is great, with a consistent sharp focus. Now give us widescreen and we’d be set. At just over 5GB, this has to be a dual-layered disc, however no noticeable pause was noted during the film.
Audio |
|
Contract |
|
The sole Dolby Digital 2.0 English is well-worked, yet has a few problems which all stem from the dialogue. The dialogue sounds as if it has been re-recorded after production, or at least reworked during post-production, as the synch is not 100% realistic. Also stemming from this are some unwelcome volume restrictions, with outdoor sequences often having a rather deep and loud vocal track, and indoor scenes a little more subdued and realistic. This sort of problem really doesn’t make the film unwatchable, but is just apparent for those with an ear for perfection. Or rather lack thereof. Separation of the two channels is fairly minor, with pretty much a central soundtrack throughout the whole film. But thankfully, the bass levels are quite nice, suitably supporting the effects and Mario Millo’s score.
Extras |
|
Contract |
|
Overall |
|
Contract |
|
The kids are gonna love this – it’s like a modern day Milo and Otis. OK, not really, but if they love cute little pups and a funny Scottish man then they’ll love it. The transfer is acceptable given the target audience, but nothing technically groundbreaking, and the extra features are entertaining for the kids but hold little in the way of weighty content. But at least this talking dog is far more entertaining than that talking pig. “La la laaaa!”
LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=3793
Send to a friend.
|
|
|
And I quote... |
"101 Dalmations goes down under. Minus 100, of course... oh, and the dalmation bit..." - Martin Friedel |
|
Review Equipment |
- DVD Player:
Sony DVP-NS530
- TV:
Sharp SX76NF8 76cm Widescreen
- Receiver:
Sony HT-SL5
- Speakers:
Sony SS-MSP2
- Centre Speaker:
Sony SS-CNP2
- Surrounds:
Sony SS-MSP2
- Subwoofer:
Sony SA-WMSP3
- Audio Cables:
Standard Optical
- Video Cables:
Standard Component RCA
|
Recent Reviews: |
by Martin Friedel One Perfect Day "One Perfect Day leaps off the screen with vibrancy, life and emotion, all wrapped up with a slick soundtrack and effervescent editing..."
Gadjo Dilo "...even at 97 minutes, Gadjo Dilo or The Crazy Stranger led to “The Slightly Bored Reviewer”..."
The Craic "This Craic is as unfunny as a plumber’s butt crack, with a transfer that’s just as pretty too..."
How to Deal "...How To Deal is still a little bit shallow in places, but ultimately leaves you with more of a “huh?” sensation..."
Drumline "Dit doo wah!"
|
|
|
Related Links |
|
|