A Boy And His Dog

Rating:
Summary: A boy and his somewhat advanced sentient being
Review: This pre-"Mad Max" low budget sci-fi, based on a novella by Harlan Ellison, has gathered quite a devoted cult following over the years, in addition to spawning a (by now overworked) movie subgenre. A youthful Don Johnson wanders a post-nuclear outback, chock-a-block with the requisite mutants and ruffians, ever on the prowl for food and sex. Oh, did I mention "the dog"? The voice-over work by actor Tim McIntire, ostensibly "as the dog", steals the movie at every turn and undoubtedly cemented the film's cult status (it certainly wasn't Johnson's rather workmanlike performance). By turns annoyingly amateurish and brilliantly inspired, the film ultimately generates a certain kinky charm-in a guilty pleasure, pre-P.C. era kind of a way (Johnson's glorified serial rapist undoubtedly earns the film few feminist admirers). It's a "love it or hate it" scenario, and those already devoted will not be swayed. DVD notes (2003 reissue edition): The (widescreen) transfer itself is decent; unfortunately the print it was taken from is, shall we say, "less than pristeen". The audio is mono and still quite tinny, but a bit improved over previous VHS versions and cable airings. The commentary by director LQ Jones (sporting a "good 'ol boy" Hoytt Axton sort of charm) is as quirky as his film.

Rating:
Summary: Post-Apocalyptic Classic
Review: Though not precisely true to the Harlan Ellison story, the film A Boy and His Dog does capture the spirit of the science fiction classic. A very young Don Johnson plays the part of the Boy. Fans of Mad Max, The Postman, and A Canticle for Liebowitz will enjoy this cult classic.

Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant Cinematic Masterpiece
Review: Well, let's not get TOO carried away.

I was happy to add this treasured classic to my collection. Dark humor, twisted characters, screaming glow-in-the-dark mutants and post-apocolyptic devastation makes this a must see. If you enjoy movies like Dark Star and Dr. Strangelove, you'll need to see this one, too.

DVD has Director's Commentary track and trailers, but not too much else in the "extra-goodies" department. END

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, So-So DVD
Review: While I give this *movie* 5 stars, I was disappointed in this DVD presentation and would give it 3 stars. The film-to-DVD transfer is of marginal quality, and the source was in terrible shape (dirty and badly scratched). Either they didn't use the original film master, or it has deteriorated badly over the past several years.

I personally found the director's commentary disappointing as well. IMHO, L.Q. spends too much time discussing high level approaches to general film making, and not enough time detailing the specifics of the AB&HD filming. If you, like I, hang on directors' commentaty for copious quantites of behind-the-scenes trivia, little known facts, and explanations, you may be greatly disappointed. If, on the other hand, you don't care for play by play discussions of the film, you might not mind. I was also disappointed that the DVD contained no supplemental information about the novella on which the movie is based.

In all, a brilliant story by Elison, brilliant screenplay and directing by L.Q. Jones, so-so DVD presentation.