Analyze That on DVD

In a time when Hollywood seems to be relying on sequels more than ever, it’s pretty much a sure thing that any movie that makes more than it cost will spawn one or two follow-ups.

But studio executives don’t always do enough research into their hits to discover just what it was that made it a hit. Analyze This, released in early 1999, had something on its side that most execs don’t usually count on: timing. There weren’t a lot of other good movies released around it, so people flocked to see the best of the bunch – not necessarily because they wanted to.

When it made over $100 million at the domestic box office alone, it was no surprise that a sequel was green-lit. But they made an inferior movie and released it in a crowded marketplace (in early December), and it made just over $30 million – hardly what most people would consider a hit.

This time around, Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) is serving his time in jail. One night there is an assassination attempt on the mob boss, so he does what any mafia mogul would do: he starts singing songs from West Side Story. This draws the attention of the feds, who think he may have gone a little crazy. They release him into the custody of his shrink, Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal), much to the chagrin of both, and Sobel is once again thrust into the world of organized crime as Vitti tries to find out who wants to kill him.

Analyze This was (and still is) a very funny movie. It was the film that put De Niro on the map for comedy and revived Crystal’s career. Analyze That does feature some very funny moments, but can’t equal the laughs generated by the first (possibly due to the lack of originality; the same problem many sequels face). As always, De Niro is wonderful, and his self-deprecating approach is welcome. Crystal has the same whiny, nasal voice as always, but it works very well for this particular character.

The movie doesn’t break any new ground, and surely isn’t as funny as the original, but it’s good for a few laughs. In fact, it’s probably one of the better comedy sequels in several years, so it’s too bad it was such a flop. If you enjoyed the original, you’ll probably find humor in the sequel.

It’s a very average DVD, though. The picture, presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen (16x9 TV compatible), is not bad. Be warned, though: there's also a Pan&Scan version sold separately. Anyway, on our anamorphic widescreen version there was no dust or grain, but it looks pretty soft throughout most of the film. Detail is okay, and it’s never too bright or too dark. The audio is, as usual, 5.1 Dolby Digital, but, as is common with comedies, features very little surround use. There is some, however, during the shootouts and other mob-related “action” pieces. Dialogue and music are very audible through the front speakers, which is all we can ask for.

Harold Ramis seems like such a funny guy, so why are his audio commentaries so boring? There are long gaps where he says absolutely nothing, and when he is speaking, he’s slow and monotone, with not a lot of interest to say. To be fair, there is some good info about the production and that kind of thing, but overall this is a very dry commentary. Other extras include a short making-of featurette that is mostly PR fluff, and a M.A.D.E. challenge that can tell you if you have what it takes to be part of the mob (and how many of us can say we don’t want that).

Analyze That, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
96 minutes, anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) 16X9 enhanced, 5.1 Dolby Digital
Starring Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, Joe Viterelli
Produced by Paula Weinstein, Jane Rosenthal
Written by Peter Steinfeld and Harold Ramis and Peter Tolan
Directed by Harold Ramis

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