For this reviewer’s money Bobby and Peter Farrelly never got the sweet and sour as right as they did with Kingpin. The combination of grossout comedy and sports movie with the right amount of Bill Murray creates a classic that the Farrelly’s filmography never reached again.
Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) is a four-time loser. Once a State Champion Bowler, now a guy who may be the least successful salesman in all of Pennsylvania. Roy sees his chance at glory in Ishamel (Randy Quaid) an innocent Amish man with a talent for bowling. The two team up and find a lot more than they bargained for on the road to Reno and the National Bowling Champion – not the least of which is a whip smart con woman (Vanessa Angel) and an old rival (Bill Murray) that stand in their way.
Kingpin’s secret weapon isn’t its comedic gross out set pieces or even its go for broke performances by everyone involved. Rather the key to Kingpin’s success is its refusal to play by the rules of a conventional sports film. The Farrelly’s understand that we’ve seen this type of hustlers on the road to redemption film a thousand times before. At every turn they make the right (wrong) decisions.
Harrelson is flat out amazing here as Roy. The actor somehow makes even the most despicable choices Roy makes hilarious and relatable. There’s an openness to the way he shares the screen with Quaid and Angel that allows for a great comedic dynamic in the film. Harrelson even makes Bill Murray better in the small but vital role of Ernie McCraken the hot shot con man bowler that in large part buried Roy’s career early in the film. There’s something about Harrelson’s reactions and ability to let another performer shine that brightens their comedic moments. Just look at the way that Roy reacts to the McCraken’s Charity Ad.
Kingpin’s biggest assets though it’s it’s finale with that both leans into and away from the normal clichés of the genre. The film manages to be funny, fun, and thrilling all at the same time. Kingpin is the Farrelly’s at their best.
The Transfer
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master (Theatrical Cut) – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is a flawless representation of the film. There is nary a scratch or blemish during the run time. The razor-sharp image is a showcase for the rare use of widescreen cinematography in comedy (even if Mark Irwin shot the film in SUPER35). The color reproduction and contrast levels are the right balance of the production which balances the darkly lit interiors of the various bowling alleys to the neon and spotlights of Reno and the Bowling Championship. Kino even with their comedies continue to show what a label can do with 4K UHD upgrades providing another winning transfer.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
NEW Audio Commentary by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
Audio Commentary by Directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly (Extended Cut)
NEW Audio Commentary by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry (Theatrical Cut)
Kingpins – Extra Frames with the Farrelly Brothers: Featurette
Theatrical Trailer
The first of two Audio Commentaries is an archival one by Directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly on the Extended Cut of the film. The Farrelly’s are known for a more relaxed commentary tracks that are not so much about the actual nuts and bolts tracks but a look back on at the friends and colleges and crew that made and oftentimes appear the film. This isn’t a track that you can really discuss as its more of an experiential one that’s a long form conversation which is both heartfelt and dry wit sending up the whole commentary track process. There is some discussion of the technical side, but the brothers are constantly deflating their own prowess as directors saying “we don’t know how that was done.”
The second Audio Commentary is an all-new track by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry on the Theatrical Cut of the film. Reesman and Evry open with a bowling bit and location they used – which leads to a larger conversation about the fact that these locations in Pennsylvania had not changed but many had. Some of the details include how the Farrelly brothers became involved with the film – including a history of the development of the film including casting what-ifs of Michael Keaton as Roy and Chris Farrelly as Ishamel; the casting of Woody Harrelson – and his relationship with Farrelly Brothers before either three were famous; some of the other casting what-ifs; how Randy Quaid was came to be cast in the film; how Bill Murray became involved with the help of Randy Quaid – including the unique well known fact that Murry has a phone number to contact him and the Farrelly not knowing he would not show up; the production schedule, production locations (in Pennsylvania and Reno Nevada) and budget; Harrelson’s experience collaborating with the Farrelly Brothers; a great side discussion of the various extras experience making the film and the big finale in Reno; the work here and history of Randy Quaid and behind the scenes anecdotes from the production; a discussion of the credits – both writing and directing credits; a discussion of the work and career history of star Vanessa Angel; the proposed sequel to the film – including what the Farrelly’s thought of the project; the career and personal history of the Farrelly brothers; an interesting history of Dumb and Dumber and the very famous writer/producer who helped develop it who wanted no credit; a great discussion of the post-career of the Farrelly brothers – including a discussion of their work with and inclusion of people within the disability communities; a larger discussion of the various needle drops and musical score; a discussion of the various actors that appear in the film; a discussion through out of the various locations used during the production and the current status of the locations; and much more.
Kingpins – Extra Frames with the Farrelly Brothers (19:05) – in this interview featurette set in a bowling alley with the brothers begins with the scripts origins and why they chose it. The brothers discuss everything from casting of Woody Harrelson to Randy Quaid to Bill Murray; the production of the film; its released – failure at the box office and its success on home video; the ending and how it differs from normal comedies; and much more. They cover the production with much humor and honesty. The interview is intercut with b-roll behind the scenes footage, scenes, et. al.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Kingpin (1:27); Happy Gilmore (2:23); Half Baked (1:54); Wayne’s World 2 (2:17); Indecent Proposal (2:15); Mad Dog and Glory (2:11)
The Final Thought
Kingpin is still one of the truly hilarious and great sports movies from any era – Kino Lorber has treated it as such with this 4K UHD upgrade. Highest Recommendations!!!
Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray star in the cult sports comedy classic Kingpin. New to 4K UHD from Kino Lorber.
The Film
For this reviewer’s money Bobby and Peter Farrelly never got the sweet and sour as right as they did with Kingpin. The combination of grossout comedy and sports movie with the right amount of Bill Murray creates a classic that the Farrelly’s filmography never reached again.
Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) is a four-time loser. Once a State Champion Bowler, now a guy who may be the least successful salesman in all of Pennsylvania. Roy sees his chance at glory in Ishamel (Randy Quaid) an innocent Amish man with a talent for bowling. The two team up and find a lot more than they bargained for on the road to Reno and the National Bowling Champion – not the least of which is a whip smart con woman (Vanessa Angel) and an old rival (Bill Murray) that stand in their way.
Kingpin’s secret weapon isn’t its comedic gross out set pieces or even its go for broke performances by everyone involved. Rather the key to Kingpin’s success is its refusal to play by the rules of a conventional sports film. The Farrelly’s understand that we’ve seen this type of hustlers on the road to redemption film a thousand times before. At every turn they make the right (wrong) decisions.
Harrelson is flat out amazing here as Roy. The actor somehow makes even the most despicable choices Roy makes hilarious and relatable. There’s an openness to the way he shares the screen with Quaid and Angel that allows for a great comedic dynamic in the film. Harrelson even makes Bill Murray better in the small but vital role of Ernie McCraken the hot shot con man bowler that in large part buried Roy’s career early in the film. There’s something about Harrelson’s reactions and ability to let another performer shine that brightens their comedic moments. Just look at the way that Roy reacts to the McCraken’s Charity Ad.
Kingpin’s biggest assets though it’s it’s finale with that both leans into and away from the normal clichés of the genre. The film manages to be funny, fun, and thrilling all at the same time. Kingpin is the Farrelly’s at their best.
The Transfer
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master (Theatrical Cut) – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is a flawless representation of the film. There is nary a scratch or blemish during the run time. The razor-sharp image is a showcase for the rare use of widescreen cinematography in comedy (even if Mark Irwin shot the film in SUPER35). The color reproduction and contrast levels are the right balance of the production which balances the darkly lit interiors of the various bowling alleys to the neon and spotlights of Reno and the Bowling Championship. Kino even with their comedies continue to show what a label can do with 4K UHD upgrades providing another winning transfer.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
The first of two Audio Commentaries is an archival one by Directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly on the Extended Cut of the film. The Farrelly’s are known for a more relaxed commentary tracks that are not so much about the actual nuts and bolts tracks but a look back on at the friends and colleges and crew that made and oftentimes appear the film. This isn’t a track that you can really discuss as its more of an experiential one that’s a long form conversation which is both heartfelt and dry wit sending up the whole commentary track process. There is some discussion of the technical side, but the brothers are constantly deflating their own prowess as directors saying “we don’t know how that was done.”
The second Audio Commentary is an all-new track by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry on the Theatrical Cut of the film. Reesman and Evry open with a bowling bit and location they used – which leads to a larger conversation about the fact that these locations in Pennsylvania had not changed but many had. Some of the details include how the Farrelly brothers became involved with the film – including a history of the development of the film including casting what-ifs of Michael Keaton as Roy and Chris Farrelly as Ishamel; the casting of Woody Harrelson – and his relationship with Farrelly Brothers before either three were famous; some of the other casting what-ifs; how Randy Quaid was came to be cast in the film; how Bill Murray became involved with the help of Randy Quaid – including the unique well known fact that Murry has a phone number to contact him and the Farrelly not knowing he would not show up; the production schedule, production locations (in Pennsylvania and Reno Nevada) and budget; Harrelson’s experience collaborating with the Farrelly Brothers; a great side discussion of the various extras experience making the film and the big finale in Reno; the work here and history of Randy Quaid and behind the scenes anecdotes from the production; a discussion of the credits – both writing and directing credits; a discussion of the work and career history of star Vanessa Angel; the proposed sequel to the film – including what the Farrelly’s thought of the project; the career and personal history of the Farrelly brothers; an interesting history of Dumb and Dumber and the very famous writer/producer who helped develop it who wanted no credit; a great discussion of the post-career of the Farrelly brothers – including a discussion of their work with and inclusion of people within the disability communities; a larger discussion of the various needle drops and musical score; a discussion of the various actors that appear in the film; a discussion through out of the various locations used during the production and the current status of the locations; and much more.
Kingpins – Extra Frames with the Farrelly Brothers (19:05) – in this interview featurette set in a bowling alley with the brothers begins with the scripts origins and why they chose it. The brothers discuss everything from casting of Woody Harrelson to Randy Quaid to Bill Murray; the production of the film; its released – failure at the box office and its success on home video; the ending and how it differs from normal comedies; and much more. They cover the production with much humor and honesty. The interview is intercut with b-roll behind the scenes footage, scenes, et. al.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Kingpin (1:27); Happy Gilmore (2:23); Half Baked (1:54); Wayne’s World 2 (2:17); Indecent Proposal (2:15); Mad Dog and Glory (2:11)
The Final Thought
Kingpin is still one of the truly hilarious and great sports movies from any era – Kino Lorber has treated it as such with this 4K UHD upgrade. Highest Recommendations!!!
Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD Edition of Kingpin is out May 27th.
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