Trading Places (HD DVD)

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Audio:
While the disc´s visuals are stunning, the sound quality does what it needs to and that is it. Never once does the Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 soundtrack cause excitement. Even when Mozart or Elmer Bernstein´s Oscar nominated score is playing loudly, does the soundtrack move much past the front three channels. There are a few nice audible effects, such as the shattering vase, but they are contained wholly in the front speakers and don´t offer much pizzazz to the soundtrack. A few instances of sound can be heard in the rears, but it is an uncommon occurrence for this film. Being a comedy, the film´s dialogue is the most important aspect. It is easily understandable and causes no need for concern. All in all, the mix does what it needs to, it carries the film to the viewer. However, the rear surrounds and the .1 LFE channel almost seem forgotten.

Extras:
Paramount has decided to revisit both this film and "Coming to America" and re-released both as new Collector´s Editions. Some of the supplements appear to have been filmed simultaneously for both films. This "Looking Good, Feeling Good" Edition features about forty five minutes of additional video features and a Trivia Pop-Ups selection that finds little dollar bills popping up throughout the film and providing facts about the film, the making of the picture and life in the early Eighties. The pop up track was a little hard to read at distances, but was engaging when it did have something to offer. It also provided cast names for the ensemble cast and the great number of extras used in the film.

The making of features is broken into a couple pieces. The first is Insider Trading: The Making of Trading Places (18:27) and features Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd and John Landis. The John Landis segments appear to have been done with "Coming to America." This featurette does contain some vintage interview bits with Eddie Murphy, but the actor is again absent in providing new material for this release. The Trading Stories (7:58) bit features vintage interviews from 1983. The three principal actors discuss who they would like to trade places with. Jamie Lee Curtis talks about trading places with her mom. Eddie Murphy wants to trade with nobody, except maybe Prince for one night. Dan Aykroyd talks about how he can always drive a dump truck. Costume Designer Deborah Nadoolman contributes to this film as well and Dressing the Part (6:30) is about her costume work. Remember guys, she is the one who dressed Jamie Lee Curtis.

The Deleted Scene (1:46) with optional commentary by Executive Producer George Folsey, Jr. is a scene where the Beaks character drugs a security guard and then steals the crop report. The Trade in Trading Places (5:24) includes commodity traders Roger Corrado, Brett Williams and others as they discuss the ´auction´ system of the commodity exchange market. This was an interesting supplement. Finally, a promotional bit that was created to show to exhibitors, Industry Promotional Piece (4:17) includes a John Landis introduction and is worth a watch. I´m not the only one who found great interest in a certain somebody´s assets. Thanks for the backup Eddie.

Closing Comments:
"Trading Places" is a great comedy and was the second film featuring Eddie Murphy. It was the first collaboration between the very funny and energetic actor and director John Landis. With Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd also starring, this is a great ensemble piece from the early Eighties. I loved seeing those old yellow Pennsylvania license plates again. The film brought back more memories than those old drab plates, it reminded me again of how much I enjoyed these old Eddie Murphy movies, when he was a fresh talent and not responsible for "Pluto Nash." The new special edition features an incredible looking video transfer with a serviceable soundtrack. The features are short, but worthwhile. I wish Murphy would have provided a little support for them, but he did not. This is a far better release than anything previously put onto home video for the film. This is definitely one to check out.

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