Man on the Moon: 2K Restoration

“You’re insane…but you might also be brilliant.”

When does a joke go on for too long? Isn’t the point to make the audience laugh? If you’re a comedian, then the answer to the latter would most likely be “yes.” But if you’re Andy Kaufman, then the answer is “no.” He never claimed to be a comedian, but rather a “song and dance man,” with a guarantee of entertainment, not laughter. With his intentionally poor impressions of famous people, his rather odd wrestling career, and alter ego Tony Clifton, it seems only natural that his intriguing and mysterious life would eventually make its way into the biopic genre. But of course, the hard part is doing Kaufman justice. 

So, how do you do that? Two words: Jim Carrey.

"allows Carrey to not only exploit his infamous comedic abilities, but also show off his great talent for drama as well"


It is quite rare when an actor can so flawlessly carry an entire film on their back, and Carrey does just that. Perfectly capturing his unique nuances and outrageous personas, Carrey absolutely disappears and becomes Kaufman. Though I am sure another actor would have done just fine in the role, it is hard to imagine this film without Carrey. Frankly, the film would not be anywhere near as good if he were not in it. Jim and Andy are a match made in film heaven.

One of the things that director Miloš Forman does really well with the picture is perfectly capturing the essence of Andy Kaufman from the very first second it starts. The opening showcases Carrey addressing the audience as Kaufman’s famous Foreign Man character about how he doesn’t like the picture and how a lot was changed for dramatic purposes, saying we should not even watch it. Then he walks off and we are forced to stare at a black screen for a good twenty seconds. Though of course this bit does come to an end, the film itself does not stray far from this tone. It commits to Kaufman and his manipulations. Man on the Moon: 2K Restoration

While the film does have moments of intimacies with its protagonist, Forman is careful not to make the film too subjective. While we do gain much sympathy and understanding for Kaufman, it feels like we can never fully trust him or his stories. We are never sure when he is telling the truth. In fact, in the film and in the real world, even Kaufman’s death still has inklings of insincerity. Is it one grand hoax, like Kaufman said he always wanted to do? Who knows? Some people may not like that they cannot trust the film’s main character, but for Man on the Moon, it is more than fitting.

Of course, since the film is a biopic, there is always the challenge of fitting so many years into only two hours. With that, comes the inescapable moments when the film has to fast-forward through time, making the story feel a bit choppy. But it is a very minor gripe that of course can easily be forgiven. 

All in all, the film does a wonderful job at capturing Andy Kaufman’s essence, even if his story was a bit dramatized in the process. It is one of the best biopics out there with a strong and personal sincerity, and it really allows Carrey to not only exploit his infamous comedic abilities, but also show off his great talent for drama as well. Thanks to Kino Lorber, both Jim and Andy have arrived on Blu Ray, courtesy of Kino Lorber and Universal Home Entertainment with an all new 2K restoration!

4/5 stars

 

Man on the Moon: 2K Restoration

Blu-ray Details

Home Video Distributor: Kino Lorber
Available on Blu-ray
- February 22, 2022
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles
: English SDH
Audio:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Brand New 2K Master Supervised by Cinematographer Anastas N. Michos! In this acclaimed biopic from director Miloš Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus), Jim Carrey (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) disappears into the role of the late Andy Kaufman—considered the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic comic of his time. A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silences, tears or brawls. Whether inviting the audience out for milk and cookies or challenging women to intergender wrestling matches, he specialized in creating performances so real that even his close friends were never sure where the truth lay. Also starring Danny DeVito (Get Shorty) as Kaufman’s manager, Courtney Love (The People vs. Larry Flynt) as the woman Andy falls in love with and Paul Giamatti (Sideways) as his best friend. You’ll stand up and cheer for Carrey’s hilariously uncanny performance that “may be a better Andy Kaufman than Andy Kaufman” (Newsweek).

Video

Presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, this brand new 2K remaster, approved and color graded by cinematographer Anastas Mich, is awesome. There are wonderfully enhanced details and the new color grading does wonders to show off the film's vast color palette. 

Audio

With a 5.1 surround sound DTS-HD Master Audio track, all of Kaufman’s famous characters plus the R.E.M score and soundtrack are greatly restored. Everything comes in clean and clear.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • NEW Audio Commentary by Screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, Moderated by Film Historian Howard S. Berger

Special Features:

With these great new features, audiences can now take an even deeper dive into the world of Andy Kaufman and the making of the film itself.

  • THIS MIGHT BE A STORY...: Screenwriters Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski in Conversation with Milos Forman (An Excerpt from a Recently Recovered 1999 Micro-Cassette Recording of the Director and Screenwriters of MAN ON THE MOON Discussing the Film and the Craft of the Biopic)
  • Spotlight on Location: The Making of MAN ON THE MOON
  • Deleted Scenes
  • R.E.M. Music Video: Man on the Moon
  • R.E.M. Music Video: The Great Beyond

Blu-ray Rating

  Movie 4/5 stars
  Video  4/5 stars
  Audio 4/5 stars
  Extras 4/5 stars

Composite Blu-ray Grade

4/5 stars


Film Details

Man on the Moon: 2K Restoration

MPAA Rating: R for language and brief sexuality/nudity.
Runtime:
118 mins
Director
: Milos Forman
Writer:
Scott Alexander; Larry Karaszewski
Cast:
Jim Carrey; Danny DeVito; Gerry Becker
Genre
: Comedy | Biography
Tagline:
The story of the man, the myth, the misunderstanding.
Memorable Movie Quote: "So... ya wanna see Andy? Anybody gotta flashlight and a couple of shovels?"
Theatrical Distributor:
Universal Pictures
Official Site:
Release Date:
December 22, 1999
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
February 22, 2022.
Synopsis: Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time. A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silence, tears or brawls. Whether inviting the audience out for milk and cookies or challenging women to inter-gender wrestling matches, he specialized in creating performances so real that even his close friends were never sure where the truth lay.

Art

Man on the Moon: 2K Restoration