Fletch Lives is what happens when a star does not trust the instinct of its director and original screenwriter. A film that works in fits and starts but remains a missed opportunity.
Fletch (Chase) receives word that his aunt has passed and left him with a large estate in the south. Being Fletch (or the Chase version of Fletch), the journalist quits his job and rushes into the deeply religious South. Of course, there is something rotten going on with a Super Church (headed by R. Lee Emery no less) and a toxic waste company. Will Fletch be able to solve the crime or be burned to a crisp by the KKK, Hell’s Angels, or “Tex” Randall Cobb (playing “Tex” Randall Cobb)? All while a full-on musical number to Zippy-do-da happens full stop in the middle of the film.
At every turn, the film’s worst enemy is its star. Chase seems determined to do things, “his way” and not what is prescribed by its director or former screenwriter. The original script was by Andrew Bergman and replaced by one written by Leon Capetanos. Capetanos’ script wreaks of Chase egocentric ideas. The script gives every good line to (and bad one too) Chase. The surprising cast of characters like M. Emmet Walsh’s colon-obsessed doctor or Geena Davis’s scrappy super intelligent researcher are gone. In their place? A bunch of stock cardboard cutouts. Even returning actors like Richard Libertini are relegated to plot devices and not real characters.
Even the moments that work are troubling because everything seems flat and lifeless. Chase himself seems more annoyed that he’s making the film than enjoying returning to one of his most endearing characters. His quips are no longer quips but the kind of condescending bullying crap that Chase was known for in real life.
Fletch Lives is the prime example of a star’s ego getting in the way of what made the original so charming and delightful. One wishes that Chase had one more chance to correct the ills of this sequel and team up with Ritchie and Bergman.
If only …
The Transfer
The all-new HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the 35mm Interpositive is, like the first film also from Kino, a serious upgrade from the Blu-ray from 2017. There really isn’t a need to compare as the Kino transfer corrects all the issues with the original disc. The image is sharp with a beautiful filmic look that retains the grain structure. There is nary a scratch or blemish on the image. No digital issues like artificing or DNR. Fletch Lives has never looked better on home video than it does here. Bravo to Kino.
The Extras
They include the following;
NEW Audio Commentary by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry
Fletch Lives: Making-of Featurette
Fletch Lives: Chevy Chase Profile
Fletch Lives: Julianne Phillips Profile
6 TV Spots
Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)
The all-new Audio Commentary by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry opens with a discussion of this not-as-successful sequel. Some of the details include the original script that was never shot – a huge comedic/action set piece but also how terrible it was in its one-liners, etc.; the reviews of the film from critics at the time; a discussion of Fletch (the novel) and how successful they were, the format (and how they change up his jobs, the mysteries, et. al.), and purpose McDonald wrote the books – a relations to how this caused issues with development of the sequel to the film and why they chose to do an original plot; the wild musical number to Zippy-do-da –the deal with Disney at the time, the animation and animators and how it was achieved; the work of cinematographer Don McPherson – both here and in other films; the original plan for the sequels – and what was very different than what was produced; a great discussion of character actor “Tex” Randall Cobb; a discussion about Bergman’s sequel script and his intent; a side discussion of Chase discussion – including the his taking credit for Bergman’s original script; McDonald’s life after the success of Fletch – including a great story about his post-success, and his combat KKK and white supremacy; Ritchie’s work on the story that became Mississippi Burning; the casting of Julianne Phillips; the Chevy Chase cameo’s in Ritchie’s The Couch Trip; a discussion of production budget, schedule and other bits of about the making of the film; a larger discussion of the script which is NOT based on any of the Fletch novels; a larger discussion throughout about various anecdotes from the production which was quite problematic; a larger discussion of the various locations and social references that go throughout the film; a larger discussion of the various actors that worked on the production – giving various anecdotal bits and other films they had been in; and much more. Along with the original’s commentary track, Reesman and Evry have given us a detailed and entertaining track on the sequel to the much more successful Fletch. Even if one does not love the sequel, the duo makes the listen more than worth it.
Fletch Lives: Making-of Featurette (6:14) – is an archival, and all-to-brief, making-of featurette that’s much more EPK style from the era it was made, than the making-of on the first film’s disc. Featuring interviews with actor Chevy Chase, Julianne Phillips, and Director Michael Ritchie.
Fletch Lives: Chevy Chase Profile (2:40) – is an archival look at Chevy Chase in Fletch Lives is an EPK style from the era it was made with Chase and Director Ritchie.
Fletch Lives: Julianne Phillips Profile (2:18) – is an archival look at Julianne Phillips in Fletch Lives is an EPK style from the era it was made with Phillips, Chase, and Director Ritchie.
6 TV Spots (3:35)
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Fletch Lives (1:35) [Newly Mastered in 2K]; Fletch (1:35) [Newly Mastered in 2K]; Gotcha (1:35); The Nude Bomb (2:48); Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (2:01); Bird on a Wire(2:25)
The Final Thought
Fletch Lives may not be a great sequel is another great upgraded edition for a classic film from Kino Lorber. Recommended!
Chevy Chase returns to his most iconic role in Fletch Lives. The comedy mystery sequel comes to Blu-ray with a new HD Master and extras from Kino Lorber.
The Film
Wow.
Fletch Lives is what happens when a star does not trust the instinct of its director and original screenwriter. A film that works in fits and starts but remains a missed opportunity.
Fletch (Chase) receives word that his aunt has passed and left him with a large estate in the south. Being Fletch (or the Chase version of Fletch), the journalist quits his job and rushes into the deeply religious South. Of course, there is something rotten going on with a Super Church (headed by R. Lee Emery no less) and a toxic waste company. Will Fletch be able to solve the crime or be burned to a crisp by the KKK, Hell’s Angels, or “Tex” Randall Cobb (playing “Tex” Randall Cobb)? All while a full-on musical number to Zippy-do-da happens full stop in the middle of the film.
At every turn, the film’s worst enemy is its star. Chase seems determined to do things, “his way” and not what is prescribed by its director or former screenwriter. The original script was by Andrew Bergman and replaced by one written by Leon Capetanos. Capetanos’ script wreaks of Chase egocentric ideas. The script gives every good line to (and bad one too) Chase. The surprising cast of characters like M. Emmet Walsh’s colon-obsessed doctor or Geena Davis’s scrappy super intelligent researcher are gone. In their place? A bunch of stock cardboard cutouts. Even returning actors like Richard Libertini are relegated to plot devices and not real characters.
Even the moments that work are troubling because everything seems flat and lifeless. Chase himself seems more annoyed that he’s making the film than enjoying returning to one of his most endearing characters. His quips are no longer quips but the kind of condescending bullying crap that Chase was known for in real life.
Fletch Lives is the prime example of a star’s ego getting in the way of what made the original so charming and delightful. One wishes that Chase had one more chance to correct the ills of this sequel and team up with Ritchie and Bergman.
If only …
The Transfer
The all-new HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the 35mm Interpositive is, like the first film also from Kino, a serious upgrade from the Blu-ray from 2017. There really isn’t a need to compare as the Kino transfer corrects all the issues with the original disc. The image is sharp with a beautiful filmic look that retains the grain structure. There is nary a scratch or blemish on the image. No digital issues like artificing or DNR. Fletch Lives has never looked better on home video than it does here. Bravo to Kino.
The Extras
They include the following;
The all-new Audio Commentary by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry opens with a discussion of this not-as-successful sequel. Some of the details include the original script that was never shot – a huge comedic/action set piece but also how terrible it was in its one-liners, etc.; the reviews of the film from critics at the time; a discussion of Fletch (the novel) and how successful they were, the format (and how they change up his jobs, the mysteries, et. al.), and purpose McDonald wrote the books – a relations to how this caused issues with development of the sequel to the film and why they chose to do an original plot; the wild musical number to Zippy-do-da –the deal with Disney at the time, the animation and animators and how it was achieved; the work of cinematographer Don McPherson – both here and in other films; the original plan for the sequels – and what was very different than what was produced; a great discussion of character actor “Tex” Randall Cobb; a discussion about Bergman’s sequel script and his intent; a side discussion of Chase discussion – including the his taking credit for Bergman’s original script; McDonald’s life after the success of Fletch – including a great story about his post-success, and his combat KKK and white supremacy; Ritchie’s work on the story that became Mississippi Burning; the casting of Julianne Phillips; the Chevy Chase cameo’s in Ritchie’s The Couch Trip; a discussion of production budget, schedule and other bits of about the making of the film; a larger discussion of the script which is NOT based on any of the Fletch novels; a larger discussion throughout about various anecdotes from the production which was quite problematic; a larger discussion of the various locations and social references that go throughout the film; a larger discussion of the various actors that worked on the production – giving various anecdotal bits and other films they had been in; and much more. Along with the original’s commentary track, Reesman and Evry have given us a detailed and entertaining track on the sequel to the much more successful Fletch. Even if one does not love the sequel, the duo makes the listen more than worth it.
Fletch Lives: Making-of Featurette (6:14) – is an archival, and all-to-brief, making-of featurette that’s much more EPK style from the era it was made, than the making-of on the first film’s disc. Featuring interviews with actor Chevy Chase, Julianne Phillips, and Director Michael Ritchie.
Fletch Lives: Chevy Chase Profile (2:40) – is an archival look at Chevy Chase in Fletch Lives is an EPK style from the era it was made with Chase and Director Ritchie.
Fletch Lives: Julianne Phillips Profile (2:18) – is an archival look at Julianne Phillips in Fletch Lives is an EPK style from the era it was made with Phillips, Chase, and Director Ritchie.
6 TV Spots (3:35)
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Fletch Lives (1:35) [Newly Mastered in 2K]; Fletch (1:35) [Newly Mastered in 2K]; Gotcha (1:35); The Nude Bomb (2:48); Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (2:01); Bird on a Wire (2:25)
The Final Thought
Fletch Lives may not be a great sequel is another great upgraded edition for a classic film from Kino Lorber. Recommended!
Kino Lorber’s Blu-Ray edition of Fletch Lives is out May 7th
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