DVD Review: Splash – 20th Anniversary Edition

Don’t let this spectacular 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition be the one that got away! Academy Award(R) winner Tom Hanks (1994 Best Actor, FORREST GUMP) stars as Allen Bauer, a workaholic who’s convinced he can’t fall in love. That is, until he’s mysteriously rescued at sea by the mermaid of his dreams! Soon Allen and Madison (Daryl Hannah, KILL BILL) are swept away by hilarious and heartwarming romance. Academy Award(R) winner Ron Howard (2001 Best Director, A BEAUTIFUL MIND) directs a star-studded cast, including Eugene Levy (BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, AMERICAN PIE), and hilarious John Candy (HOME ALONE) in a magical tale that now includes all-new bonus features.

Review:
The 20th Anniversary edition of Splash was released a few years back and it is still a wise purchase. Daryl Hannah is in her prime as Madison, a mermaid who falls in love with Allen Bauer, who is played by a then young and more tolerable Tom Hanks. The story follows their six days of falling in love in New York City. Daryl Hannah streaks Manhattan in a hilarious scene in which she prompts a Statue of Liberty docent to shriek the words “bocce balls” at the sight of her shamelessly nude body.

The movie oozes with early’80 fashion and scenery with Madison’s shopping spree at Bloomingdales. Although the subject matter seems trite there’s actually heart to this movie and the characters are enjoyable. Eugene Levy plays an arrogant and paranoid scientist hell bent on exposing the mermaid. His serious demeanor and physical comedy are a great addition to the storyline. John Candy plays Allen’s playboy brother, Freddie. However this is not John Candy’s greatest film. He has a few laughs but is only a peripheral character.

The DVD has a bonus features section, which is great for die-hard fans that were left wanting more. The bonus features include the behind the scenes making of Splash and there is insightful commentary from the writers, onscreen stars, director Ron Howard, and producer Brian Grazer. This commentary reveals how Splash was the first movie released by Disney under their new production company, Touchstone Films, a title created for it’s more adult audiences.

Also in the commentary section there is a great, however brief, clip of a deleted scene with a sea hag that was cut entirely from the movie. Extras like this make it worth it to the fans.

This is a great DVD for anyone who wants a dose of light-hearted ’80’s nostalgia.

Review by Patrick Markert

Grade: A
Official site: http://disney.go.com/index
Buy on Amazon: Splash – 20th Anniversary Edition