DVD reviews: 'Anchorman 2' and '47 Ronin'
“Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” (2013, R, 118 min., $29.99) Will Ferrell returns to the news desk, along with his mates, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner, for this sequel to the wildly popular comedy from 2004. The film is not on par with its predecessor, but it holds some great laughs. Ferrell does a lot of the heavy lifting as anchorman Ron Burgundy, and the film has some laughs making fun of the downward evolution of TV news. Down on his luck in the late 1970s, Burgundy is hired by the first 24-hour news station. He tries boosting his ratings by bringing sensationalism to the station, and it totally works. Burgundy immediately becomes one of the most popular anchors on TV, and it goes right to his head. At the top of his fame, an accident takes him off TV, but it gives him a chance to reconnect with his estranged wife and son. After recovering, he gets a chance to get back on air, but will he slink back into his old ways? Standard DVDs are without extras, but the Blu-ray combo pack is loaded. Besides carrying three different versions of the film, there are plenty of special features, including a handful of featurettes, deleted scenes and commentary with the cast and crew. 2.5 Stars.
“47 Ronin” (2013, PG-13, 118 min., $29.98) One of the last actors moviegoers would expect to see in an epic action adventure set in Japan is Keanu Reeves, but here he is right in the middle. Reeves plays the silent type in a flick based on the legend of the 47 ronin who fought to avenge their master in 18th century Japan. The fictional account is filmed on a grand scale by director Carl Rinsch. It's a well-told story with a few holes, and it's mindless fun for the most part. The CGI is done well, and adds a lot to “47 Ronin.” When a Japanese lord named Asano is put under a spell by a witch, he unknowingly attacks Kira, another lord, and is charged with a crime punishable by death. After his death, the lord's land is taken over by Kira. Asano's samurai are cast out, but they want vengeance on Kira. Led by a samurai named Oishi, Asano's men gather to take their revenge on Kira. Outnumbered, the group prepares for an epic battle against Kira and his humongous samurai army. A 3D Blu-ray pack houses a good number of featurettes that outline the extensive production of “47 Ronin.” Blu-ray and standard DVD packages hold a making-of featurette and a few deleted scenes. 2.5 Stars.
“The Bag Man” (2014, R, 108 min., $19.98) A top-notch cast — John Cusack, Robert De Niro, Dominic Purcell and Crispin Glover — takes its place for a noir thriller about a lowly gangster who lands a job with a crime boss. He's picked to watch a bag in a hotel room until it's picked up, but other shady characters want what's inside, too.
“Knights of Badassdom” (2013, R, 86 min., $19.98) A group of friends, who also identify themselves as LARPers (Live Action Role Players), take to the woods for a new game, but end up unleashing a terrible evil that will try to turn the buddies against each other. The terrific cast includes Peter Dinklage, Steve Zahn and Ryan Kwanten.
“I Am Divine” (2013, NR, 90 min., $24.95) The story of legendary drag star Divine, who died in 1988, is traced in this documentary from Jeffrey Schwartz. The filmmaker gives an intimate portrait os Harris Glenn Milstead, the man behind Divine, that also includes interviews with director John Waters, Ricki Lake and Milstead's own mother.
“Seal Team Eight: Behind Enemy Lines” (2014, R, 98 min., $22.98) Tom Sizemore stars in the action-packed picture about a group of Navy SEALs sent to Africa to shut down a mining operation that's pulling uranium to sell to terrorists. Fighting their way through the Congo, the SEALs face a stiff challenge in their mission.
“The Pirate Fairy” (2014, G, 78 min., $29.99) Disney's newest animation pic features a slick adventure about a fairy named Zarina who teams up with pirates on the high seas. It's on Tinker Bell and her friends to safely bring back the misguided fairy. Christina Hendricks and Tom Hiddleston lend their voices to this animated picture.
“The Little Rascals Save the Day” (2014, PG, 93 min., $19.98) Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Petey and Darla are back for a new generation, in another adventure that finds the gang trying to save Grandma's, a bakery that could be taken over by a rich businessman just looking to make a buck.
NEW ON BLU-RAY
“Fargo” (1996, R, 98 min., $19.99)
“Norma Rae: 35th Anniversary” (1979, PG, 110 min., $19.99)
“Once” (2006, R, 85 min., $19.99)
TV ON DVD
“Psych: The Eighth and Final Season” (three discs, 10 episodes, $59.98)
“The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts: Fully roasted” (six discs, 17 episodes, $59.95)
