Dom Robinson reviews
Ali G, Aiii
Distributed by
Cert: Cat.no: VCD 0109
Running time: 88 minutes
Year: 2000
Pressing: 2000
Region(s): 2, PAL
Chapters: 27 plus extras
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 (Dolby Surround)
Languages: English
Subtitles: None
Widescreen: 1.77:1 (16:9)
16:9-enhanced: Yes
Macrovision: Yes
Disc Format: DVD 5
Price: £19.99
Extras: Ali G's Christmas Message to the Nation, Easter Egg
Who is da batty boy?
It's certainly not Ali G , whose second video is unleashed onto an
unsuspecting public after his first one last Xmas, Ali G, Innit ,
sold more copies than you can shake a stick at.
This release compiles the best bits of 70 minutes worth of Da Ali G Show ,
plus 30 minutes of unseen material. Guests include Jarvis Cocker, Gail
Porter, Paul Daniels and Harrods boss, Mohammed Al-Fayed . Ali G
also discusses animal right and takes a trip to the Cannes Porn Festival,
while his new protegee, Eastern European reporter Borat, bring us his guide to English Gentlemen,
Henley, Hunting and Etiquette, the latter one allowing his to nip off for a
number 2 half-way through the sketch.
It seems Ali G's creator, Sacha Baron Cohen , got out of the 11 O'Clock
Show at the best time, since it's rapidly going downhill in the ratings and
the replacement presenters, Jon Holmes (not THE...) and the gorgeous
Sam Janus-look-a-like, Sarah Alexander , just aren't cutting the mustard
and it will be scrapped after this series.
VCI have made a top-job of this release. Presented in 16:9 anamorphic
widescreen as filmed and shown on Channel 4, there are no artifacts to be
found, just bold colours.
The average bitrate is 4.90bs, occasionally peaking over 9Mb/s.
The sound is in standard Dolby Surround and is fine. It's mostly dialogue
with songs thrown in from time to time. I experienced no problems here.
Extras : Ali G's Christmas Message to the Nation ,
an alternative to the Queen's speech, broadcast on December 25th, 1999
and there's an Easter Egg too. Press up from the main menu and a
three-and-a-half-minute supplement is revealed with Ali G in the guise of
another character, but whose name I've no idea. He interviews pissed-up idiots
on the streets and it was incredibly funny.
There are 27 chapters - one for each main sketch which is just what you need
- and the menus are animated but silent.
Overall, this will no doubt sell more than last year's hit video and
deservedly so. The only thing which really bugs me - and can also be applied
to the
Trigger Happy TV Best of Series 1
FILM CONTENT
PICTURE QUALITY
SOUND QUALITY
EXTRAS
OVERALL
Review copyright © Dominic Robinson, 2000
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