Adam Sandler began his acting career in 1987 as a friend of Theo's on The Cosby Show. A few years later, he became a writer for Saturday Night Live and moved up to feature performer one year later. In 1995, Sandler had the starring role in the feature film Billy Madison. While not a critical success, the movie made over $26 million dollars worldwide on a $10 million dollar budget and solidified Sandler as a major, comedic actor. As the film celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Kino Lorber is releasing the movie on 4K for the first time ever.
Billy (Sandler; Happy Gilmore) is nothing more than an immature, unintelligent, spoiled rich kid living off daddy's money. However, his father, Brian (Darren McGavin; A Christmas Story), is getting ready to retire and has decided to hand the company over to his Vice President, Eric Gordon (Bradley Whitford; The West Wing). Begging for another chance, Brian tells Billy that he paid for Billy's grades, and if Billy wanted to take over the company, he would need to go back to school and pass every grade on his own. Of course, VP Gordon has other ideas, but when you involve young children, anything can happen.
Sandler co-wrote Billy Madison with Tim Herlihy (The Wedding Singer), and the two went on to write several Sandler starring comedies together. As with their other collaborations, the laughs abound. However, sometimes the jokes are too much or they don't "land" well, which can happen with any comedic film, and Billy Madison is no exception to the rule. The cast, though, beginning with Sandler, is great and makes the most of the script. Unfortunately, director Tamra Davis (13: The Musical) is part of the problem. Billy Madison was her feature film directorial debut, after working on numerous music videos, and the longer format didn't work in her favor. The pacing was off as it ebbed and flowed sporadically.
Of course, Kino Lorber always takes care with the titles they remaster, and Billy Madison is just another example of that quality. The Dolby Vision video is everything you would hope for, with clean lines and sharp details. The color palette is bright, and the saturation is full and deep. The balance is perfect, and the overall feel of the picture is brighter and more encompassing than the previously released Blu-ray.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is clear with multilayered audio that includes the dialogue and the soundtrack. There is some ambient sound, but not a to,n as this movie doesn't include chase scenes, loud explosions, or gunfire. The extras, with the exception of one new audio commentary, are all previously released. They include NEW Audio Commentary by Author and Filmmaker Bryan Connolly and The Billy Gilmore Podcast Host Wilson Smith, Audio Commentary by Director Tamra Davis, Deleted Scenes (The Pool, Penguins & Pornography, Billy at Home, Being Billy, School Days, Eric and Principal Anderson), Academic Decathlon and Graduation, Outtakes, and the Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K).
Billy Madison is your typical 90s, brainless comedy that is meant to do nothing more than entertain. However, it did jumpstart Sandler's movie career, which has been largely successful over the past 30 years. While the film wasn't worthy of winning any Academy Awards and was largely panned by critics, it was successful at the box office and has become a cult classic over the past three decades.
Kino Lorber brings another great film to audiences for their home entertainment collections on and, with it priced just under $30 for the 4K combo pack, this is a purchase worth making.
Grade: C+
