The Film
"I'm afraid I have no choice but to sell you all for scientific experiments."
Thirty years ago, Monty Python released its final film. It's sort of fitting that the comedy troupe would end its theatrical run with death and The Meaning of Life. Now, that last film is finally coming to Blu-ray, in the form of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life: 30th Anniversary Edition.
The Meaning of Life is quite a unique endeavor. It's basically a sketch comedy put to film. However, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and the late Graham Chapman don't just dissect death, but also birth and a lot of what goes on in between. And because it's Monty Python, it works.
As with all of the group's films, The Meaning of Life is downright hilarious. That said, there are several parts that will have you squirming -- if you even have time. Of course, there's no unseeing Mr. Creosote, but The Meaning of Life covers a lot in its 108 minutes. That lineup includes big musical numbers for "Every Sperm is Sacred" and "The Penis Song," all the way down to a cameo from the Grim Reaper himself. It's rapid-fire comedy at its finest.
The Picture
Sure, it's Monty Python's most recent film, but The Meaning of Life is still 30 years old. While this may not be the best image, it's the best it's going to get. Also, if you have any of Monty Python's other Blu-rays, you'll know it's not half-bad. Terry Gilliam's opening short ("The Crimson Permanent Assurance") is probably the best looking portion of this release's 1.85:1 image. There's some great detail both in the shots of the offices and while the crew is sailing through those skyscrapers. The colors are a little dim, but also spot-on. However, that short is only about 17 of the 108 minutes presented here. The rest has decent colors, but can be noisy at times. For the most part, the thick layer of grain sort of detracts from the wider shots. However, there are some nice close-ups with good facial details and the outdoor rugby match probably offers some of the brightest, best imagery of the movie.
The Sound
Considering the action throughout The Meaning of Life, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is pretty tame. The dialogue is clear and crisp, as is the other sounds in the film. With the exception of a few atmospheric tidbits for those surrounds, the rears are mostly reserved for the film's soundtrack. That leaves all of the swashbuckling, gunshots and puking sounds to hover up front.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life doesn't have a storyline like Life of Brian or Holy Grail, but it's true Python through and through. And while most fans don't know the true meaning of life, they certainly know this film inside and out. It's definitely some of the troupe's blackest comedy to date. Yes, the same group that once wanted you to "bring out yer dead" actually has an even darker side. While the Blu-ray isn't busting with new material, it offers a decent upgrade over previous releases and throws in two new extras that any Python fan would be frothing to own.
Product Details
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