Rating: 
Summary: The Ultimate Culture Clash Comedies
Review: This set contains two great comedies set in the beautiful deserts of Botswana, Africa. The first "The Gods Must be Crazy" was released in 1980. I was surprised just how much it shows that in hair and clothing styles, but I hardly noticed after the first few minutes. It actually starts much like a documentary, telling about life in a bushman tribe in the Kalahari. One day, they discover a Coke bottle. Thinking it a gift from the gods, they begin to use it for all kinds of tasks, only to find it has introduced strife to their community. Xixo sets out to find the end of the world and return it to the gods. Meanwhile, a despotic revolutionary is on the run after a failed coop attempt. And a biologist is trying to get over his fear of women to transport the new school teacher and to the village. This movie starts out a little slow, setting up the bushman culture and customs, so that when the movie gets going, we'll get the laughter. Most of the comedy is at the expense of civilized humans, but some great points are made about out reliance on our technology. Some of the physical gags involving the barely running jeep and the nervous biologist are priceless, and the plotting of these three stories is brilliant. "The Gods Must be Crazy II" (1989) once again finds Xixo traveling into the world of the strange civilized man when his kids accidentally stow away in an ivory poacher's truck. Meanwhile, a corporate lawyer and biologist have been stranded in the desert when their plane is blown off course during a freak storm. And two opposing soldiers are trying to capture each other. This story starts and moves much faster. I hadn't seen it as recently as the first one, and I'd forgotten just how funny this one was. I think it might actually be a little funnier. This time, there's more interaction with the wild life of the area for some great gags. Xixo is the only returning character, but the heroes are still likable. My only real complaint is philosophical. These movies elevate the bushman to an almost perfect status with an ideal life. Ironically enough, one of the documentaries does show that their lives have really been glamorized for the film and their existence is much harder. Still, it's always good to laugh at oneself, and these movies certainly make you wonder just how civilized we really are. The DVD set isn't quite up to normal standards for the format, but still acceptable. Both films are presented in anamorphic widescreen, but the picture is marred by lots of dust and grain. It's certainly still watchable, but it's not the crystal clear pictures I've been spoiled with on DVD. The first movie is presented in mono, and I had a little trouble hearing it. Part of the problem was what seemed like a very poor dubbing, probably partially because of the age and low budget of the original. The sequel sounded much better in stereo, but neither movie will show off your sound system. Still, they get the job done, and I think that less is more with these films. Each disc has one documentary on it. The first is a feature on the real life of star N!xau who played Xixo. As I mentioned earlier, it paints quite a contrast to the life presented for these films. The second is a short tribute to creator/director Jamie Ulys which give a little behind the scenes look at these movies. While these DVD's won't be setting any new standards, they are certainly adequate. And the films contained on them are two classic low budget comedies from the 80's. If you're willing to laugh at yourself, pick these up. Any fan of the movies will appreciate them, especially for the price.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, nice DVD
Review: After waiting several years, I finally was able to buy "The Gods Must Be Crazy 1 & 2" on DVD. A few brief comments: 1) Both "Gods" films are great entertainment. 2) DVD picture quality is better than what I've seen on TV or from the VHS version, which really looked worn out. However, don't expect "Star Wars" digital camera clarity. 3) For the first time I saw both "Gods" movies in widescreen, which is a nice treat. TV always shows them in Full-Screen, including the VHS version. 4) There are documentaries of director Jamie Uys and actor N!Xau. The one about N!Xau is the most interesting. It details the hard, difficult live he lived in the Kalahari, in stark contrast to the happy, carefree life depicted in the films. Clips of N!Xau's funeral are also shown. One gripe: when N!Xau is talking, and he talks quite a bit, there is almost no translation of what he's saying!!! Frustrating. Nevertheless, it's still a fascinating, honest portrayal of a special man.
Rating:
Summary: Personal Independant Film at its Best
Review: There are two kinds of great films: those made by hundreds of people working in a tightly, cordinated effort with a large-sized budget and resources, and then there are the little films, made by a sole individual with a unique vision with just enough money to make his or her dream a reality. Like Joe Camp's 1974 "Benji", Jamie Uys' "The Gods Must Be Crazy" is of the latter category. It's a very personal and different film with a whole lot of heart. If you are a fan of big-budget Hollywood movies, then the Gods Must be Crazy most likely will fall flat on your deaf ears. But if you are in the mood for something original and special, then watch the two films in this collection and see if you aren't delighted with the already growing cult audience that cherish these movies. You won't find any Hollywood celebrities or car chase scenes or steamy erotic sex scenes. You won't find state-of-the-art special effects or computer animation wizardry here. You won't find a huge cast or any cinematic indulgence at all. What you will find however is a film like none you have ever seen before! I won't go into what the two films in this set are about, or tell the plot. I will say however that this is an African product that is as warm and human as anything Francios Truffaut did for French cinema. Sure there are quirks and low-budget charms galore, but they somehow add flavor to this little masterpiece rather than take away from its legacy. Whoever you are, audiences either love or hate the Gos Must be Crazy. My wish is for everyone to see the film and keep an open mind - let the film speak to you and don't get hung up on the many little idiosyncracies and imperfections in the production and remember that this is the sole effort of one man on an extremely limited budget. Instead, get into the story and embrace the little bushmen and laugh with N!xau and the other characters in this strange but charming little film. If only Hollywood made films with this much originality and character as this.
Rating: 
Summary: A comment on the sub-standard dubbing
Review: I've watched with envy as my American counterparts have devoured this DVD set, as it has taken its jolly time in appearing in an Asia-Pacific version. But it is finally here, and I finally own these most brilliant and inspired comedies with which I grew up. I'd just like to comment on one element of this release: the dubbing. Not only is it poorly done, it is also ENTIRELY UNNECESSARY. Why did the publishers feel the need to dub English over English? In my humble opinion, they have ruined much of the more subtle humour that was originally carried by the speech inflections of the actors. Moreover, the dubbing is inconsistent; in particular, Mputi appears to have been over-voiced only partially. How else does one explain three voices when there are only two people in the scene? I'm sorry, but I am most disappointed with this state of affairs.
Rating:
Summary: Bushmens perspective is awesome
Review: Its interesting to see the world through the eyes of people that know nothing about the world around them, and how they have adapted to one of the harshest climates in the world, yet are the happiest people in the world. Its also interesting to see just how dependent we [civilized people] have become on technology, and how we live our complex day to day lifes as apposed to the life of a bushmen. These movies will make you laugh and make you cry at times. Both movies have very powerful messages. This is definatly something you should own if you are an open minded person.
Rating:
Summary: Great Underrated Comedys!
Review: The gods must be crazy is probably the best comedy that has ever come out of South Africa! Its a comedy for the whole family to enjoy about a busman named Xi and his adventures... In the first movie, he finds a Coca Cola bottle that he beleives fell from the gods and was ment to be a gift. But it brings bad luck and tention in his tribe, so he sets out to throw the bottle off the edge of the world to give it back to the gods, because he beleives it is evil. But its his whacky adventures as he gets caught up between terroists, miss understanding people and so much more that will have you laughing your tooshies off! The second movie shows our little bushmans children accidently be taken away on a truck, and Xi goes in search to find them. He finds himself in another whacky adventure! Along with alot of over the top slapstick comedy, but its great comedy! The bonus footage isnt worth watching again. the first disc comes with photos, but there photos of the town and village the movie was shot in, but in more recent times, there not photos from the film! And theres a 20 minute long footage of catching up with the man who played Xi, but they dont translate what he says which is weird? The second disc has a just over 5 minute long of some guy remembering the director. And a couple of trailers to other films. Overall, this is a great comedy, very underrated, everyone who has seen it should have enjoyed it! And I recomend you buy the two together! The second isnt as funny as the first, but it still is pretty good! But I highly recomend that you never buy "gods must be crazy in hong kong" i think it was called? that was pretty bad!!! But these two are classics, and should be more popular then they are, you should enjoy them if you like a silly slapstick laugh set in the African desert and bushlands!
Rating:
Summary: Keystone Cops meets National Geographic - good description
Review: I won't add significantly to what has already been written about these movies. The budgets were not a gazillion dollars - and it shows, but there was some thought and heart that went into the productions - and THAT shows too. I've watched these movies several times in several different groups, and parts of them ALWAYS get big belly-laughs. The DVD transfers are quite adequate - High Definition Wide-Screen. I doubt these films could LOOK any better with the source material they had. Several reviewers remarked about their annoyance on the accompanying documentary that translation is not offered for the comments of Kalahari Bushman star N!xau. I was initially upset too, then I thought - "hey, how about pushing the subtitle button on the remote" - abracadabra!!! N!xau's enlightening words suddenly came with English subtitles! These films are little gems, and I'm always entertained watching them. Check it out - two films for the price of one!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie Bad product
Review: For some reason there are no English subtitles to the extra feature, Journey to Nyae Nyae which documents the whereabouts of the Kalahari Bushman today. This is extremely frustrating as it is subtitled in Japanese.
Rating:
Summary: Corny and simpistic fun
Review: The Gods Must Be Crazy 1 & 2 are low-budget, crudely made (by Hollywood standards) and pretty funny in a Keystone Kops-meets- National Geographic sort of way. In #1, a Coke bottle dropped from a passing airplane affects the lives of a Kalahari bushman village. The charm lies in the "actor" N!xhau's oft-times-real bewilderment at white men and their contraptions. Also, the scenes involving the "antichrist" (a Land Rover) are very funny. Some unintentional humor includes an extra flying out of a Jeep onto the ground as the Jeep screeches to a halt. Take two? No way! Interaction between the paired up Caucasians is funny. Includes some social commentary for those who seek it. #2 only has N!xhau from the previous movie. This time, his daughter, about age 9, and son, about age 6, have half of the movie as they are unwittingly carried away by poachers, escape and get lost. N!xhau is off to find them. There is another Caucasian couple who spend much time in a tiny little airplane or stuck in a tree, or both. Included are 2 opposing soldiers trying to capture each other. I think #1 is a bit better than #2 because it was fresher. The extras on the DVD are sparse, and consist of 2 short documentaries. As ranted on by others, on one of them revolving around visiting N!xhau's village, there is no English translation of the bushman when they speak, which is gross negligence. (Subsequent note: Turn on subtitles - supposedly works here - will check).The other one about director James Uys is adequate though not inspired. Worth the price of the double-pack.
Rating: 
Summary: A little amusing.
Review: 'The Gods Must be Crazy' is an amusing film about a Coke bottle that causes havoc among a group of tribesmen. It is suppoed to be a satire about industralized socitey. Check it out if it comes on T.V. someday.
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