Rating: 
Summary: An underrated classic
Review: Since 1941 is one of my all-time favorite movies,it was with great anticipation that I purchased the DVD. The supplemental material is exhaustive and fascinating, well worth the price of the DVD alone, but I was extremely disappointed in the sound and picture quality. Having seen 1941 in it's previous incarnations on VHS and laserdisc, I was eagerly looking forward to seeing how it looked on DVD. While the picture quality is somewhat improved over the laserdisc (slightly sharper picture and brighter colors) the overall look of the film is still hazy and washed-out (although, having viewed the 'making of' documentary, I discovered that Spielberg and his cinematographer may have intentionally been going for that look, since they used a lot of smoke throughout filming, to give it a feeling of having stepped back in time to another era.) As for the sound quality, this is where I was most disappointed. The laserdisc was THX certified, and the sound effects and music score had a nice, expansive quality to them to which the DVD cannot hold a candle. As for the movie itself, what can I say that hasn't already been beaten into the ground over the past 21 years? I agree that the movie really isn't that funny. What I enjoy so much about this movie, and I think most people who like this movie will agree with me, is how brilliantly crafted the movie is. Everything---the sets, the costumes, the special effects, the editing, the score---is first-rate. The film is consistently dazzling to look at. And to see most of Los Angeles get demolished in such a spectacular way---well, call me crazy, but I get a vicarious thrill out of it it all. Best scenes: the dogfight over Hollywood Blvd.; the jitterbug contest that turns into a riot; Lorraine Gary staring in helpless disbelief as husband Ned Beatty destroys their home with an anti-aircraft gun; Treat Williams and Wendi Jo Sperber in a runaway motorcycle side-car; the list goes on and on. The disc rates five stars for content, but I'm knocking it down to four stars due to the poor sound/picture quality.
Rating: 
Summary: 1941 in Spielbergs Close Encounter Of The Funniest Kind
Review: This film is the funniest movier ever made in my oppinion. I am always in the mood for a real treat and when I heard that Spielberg made a WWII comedy 2years ago I watched it and laughed my head off again, and again, and again. However you must be pretty insane to appreciate this film like I and others do, but I think that the only reason why it did bad in 1979 was b/c it was ahead of its time. Just think. 1. General Stillwell who is more concerned with seeing "DUMBO" than helping out. 2. Stillwells 2nd in command who is infatuated with a girl who is sexually intimidated by planes. 3. 2 guys and a dummy on a ferris wheel which eventually rolls off a dock. 4. Slim Pickens forced to go to the bathroom to retrieve a compass he swallowed.THIS IS ONE FUNNY MOVIE. BUY THIS DVD TODAY!
Rating: 
Summary: 1941 = number of pain inducing moments
Review: I was loaned the director's cut tape of this movie, so at least I wasted no money, only my time. Many notable actors. Many politically incorrect jokes. Lots of screaming and yelling. Some dancing. Some explosions. Nothing funny. Really bad. "Duel", "Jaws", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Jurassic Park" and "Schindler's List" were good (some would add "E.T.",
"Close Encounters" and "Saving Private Ryan"), so I guess SS should be forgiven for this one. "I pardon you".
Rating:
Summary: Totally Outrageous
Review: After seeing the extended version and basically watching 1941 for the first time in over 10 years, I must admit, it's rather foolish, but I think that was the whole idea. It was a throwback to all those star-studden slapstick comedies that Spielberg and Zemekis grew up watching. It's not racist in anyway. It would have been if JUST the Japanese were portrayed as bumblers, but everyone in this movie is nuts. After the Anthrax scares following Sept. 11 (remember those), I think a movie like 1941 should be appreciated more. It takes a paranoids to a new level. yes, people were scared and the movie, which writer Bob Gale says lifted some truths, shows just how America was sixty years ago. Yes, it's a screaming movie. On the closing credits, every actor is screaming or yelling. After seeing how hard the filmmakers worked on the special features, you got to appreciate the movie. Also, some deleted scenes add more, such as the racial tension between John Candy and Frank McCrae that is just touched on in the original is extended so we know why they're fighting in the tank anyway. It's an anti-war movie that decides to have fun of the Greatest Generation. And it does have Mickey Rourke before he got corrupted. Also, the Jaws spoof at the beginning is terrific.
Rating: 
Summary: 1941
Review: Follwing the one-two hits of JAWS and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, 1941 is a rare Spielberg dissapointment compared to his best work. Not to say that the film dosn't have it's moments, but the sum of it's parts works better than the movie as a whole. As Spielberg protege said: "Steven's direction was brilliant, the idea was terrible." Which pretty much sums up the whole film. But repeated viewings of this rather haphazard comedy shows that there are some clever comedic set-pieces, the film rests squarley on large-scale effects and screaming comedy, which is hardly cohesive. Dan Akroyd is good, as are the rest of the cast including John Belushi, Christopher Lee, Toshiro Mifune, Robert Stack, John Candy and Treat Williams. But the impressive cast gets swamped by the overly-loud visuals. This is also the one time when John Williams' brass, strident score hampers the film by making it even louder. Highlights include Wild Bill Kelso (Belushi)'s anitcs, the audacious attack on the amusement park and a large Ferris wheel falling into the sea. It's actually not as bad as what critics thought when the film had it's uncertain release in 1979, but not that good when compared to his best work. An interesting curio for fans, but it lacks the classic Spielberg touch that his previous efforts have.
Rating:
Summary: One of the last truly great slapstick comedies
Review: I first saw this movie on cable when I was in high school and I swear it just gets better and better with each passing year. Sure, there are a lot of people who will try and tell you that it's a horrible film, but DON'T BELIEVE THEM! To be sure, it's not for everyone (what movie is?). However, anyone who can appreciate broad (and when I say that I mean really, really B-R-O-A-D -- you've been warned) slapstick humor will certainly find 1941 enjoyable. And anyway, if nothing else, you've gotta see the Jitterbug Contest/Riot sequence. That whole section of the movie alone makes this worth the price. Wanton destruction of property has never been so funny. As for the DVD: The picture and sound aren't great (still better than VHS) but the 28 minutes of restored footage and the disc's extra's make it more than worth it. If you liked THE BLUES BROTHERS, ANIMAL HOUSE, and IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD you'll love 1941. 'Nuff said.
Rating:
Summary: Ahead of its time, but not one of Speilberg's best...
Review: I had never seen the film in 1979, so I had an open mind about the film. I have to say that the worst thing that happened to this film is that Speilberg directed it and has his imprint all over the film, which should have been a darker comedy than it turned out to be. However, you wouldn't have had the cast that wound up being in the film (early appearances of Ackroyd, John Candy and Mickey Rourke in film, and Bob Zemeckis' first real break into film), a nod to Kurosawa (Toshiro Mifume is the sub captain), Speilberg's own "Duel", and to Kubrick (Slim Pickens from Dr. Strangelove shows up). Considering John Belushi did few films, it's worth having on that alone. The dance sequences and cinematography are definitely worth the awards they would wind up picking up. The film can overwhelm you a bit and confuse you, but that was the point. However, there's a lot in the film that can be applied in 2004, like Robert Stack's character (think Rumsfeld). Had Zemeckis had the pull to make what he envisioned it to be, it would have been a classic black comedy without a doubt,although in Europe it always has been.
Rating:
Summary: Spielberg's Underrated Film
Review: If I continue saying that I love expanded editions and end up criticizing them, people will kill me. Unfortunately I have to say that "1941" is one of those editions.
When I first saw the movie, I found it hilarious that I barely understood why it was a flop at the box office. As a matter of fact I still do. Now comes the expanded director's cut of this so-called "comedy spectacular". Hey, new scenes, new dialogue -I have no problem with that. Once again, I have to criticize it because these new developments make the film longer and a bit boring. The only new scene that I really enjoyed from this cut is when the Japanese soldiers are disguised as Christmas trees, and there is Hollis Wood (Slim Pickens) trying to cut them down -now that was hilarious.
In general terms, I love the "Jaws" spoof when the same girl who was attacked in Steven Spielberg's first hit is attacked by...gulp!...a sub periscope. I also love the screaming when Wild Bill Kelso's (John Belushi) planes crashes down on Hollywood Boulevard. I like many things about this movie. However, as I said before, Spielberg's cut of the movie is somewhat dull.
As for the special features, I have to say that the "Making Of" documentary is insightful, but a bit long -was that necessary to record every Bob Gale detail regarding whatever happened after the attack on Pearl Harbor? Interesting deleted scenes, some of them without audio. Finally, I really love the isolated track of John Williams' spectacular music score. All in all, this DVD is interesting and somewhat enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Animal House Goes To War -- Big Budget Comedy Noir
Review: Do not forget to remember that this is supposed to be SATIRE, otherwise you may find "1941" to be a rather crude, over-extended joke. With US military personnel more interested in "gettin' some" than in defending America, it becomes clear immeditately that priorities are considerably confused. Two of the lead characters in particular seem hormone-raged and obcessed with "scoring". Considered by many an overlooked Steven Spielberg Classic, I agree only with the technical aspects. Visually and acustically stunning, the macabre handling of serious historical subject matter and often repelling actions of bullies make this a less than "great comedy" for me. Viewing this film on the now-obsolete laser disc format was a visual treat, maily due to the lavish cinematography and brilliant score. Sadly, I do not intend to view this film a second time. For fans of the original SNL "not-ready-for-prime-time Players", their "involvement" is an added bonus. Not enough for me, sorry.***
Rating:
Summary: Much overlooked.
Review: I love this film!!! This is Spielberg's wildest, most frantic film. The jokes are hilarious, the action is aplenty and the sets are huge. A great film that never received the attention it so deserved.
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