An amazing and unique set worthy of being displayed as a centerpiece for any fan of the film!
“From the Academy Award-winning Coen brothers, The Big Lebowski is a hilariously quirky comedy about bowling, a severed toe, White Russians and a guy named…The Dude. Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski doesn’t want any drama in his life…heck, he can’t even be bothered with a job. But, he must embark on a quest with his bowling buddies after his rug is destroyed in a twisted case of mistaken identity. Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Tuturro, experience the cultural phenomenon of The Dude in the “#1 cult film of all time!””
The film opens with Jeff Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) coming home from a trip to the store finding men inside his house that demand money from him. After shoving his head in his toilet and urinating on his carpet, the invaders discover they have the wrong Jeff Lebowski, leaving him searching for answers to who is responsible for his ruined carpet, that really tied the room together. After getting advice from his friends Walter (John Goodman) and Donnie (Steve Buscemi), The Dude decides to seek out the other Jeff Lebowski whom the men were looking for to replace his carpet. After meeting his namesake and stealing a replacement carpet. This sets in motion a series of events in which The Dude becomes the focus of many different groups all wanting something from him, which of course he can’t deliver.
The Big Lebowski at its core is a film noir, one of the reasons why I enjoy it so much. The Dude embarks on a quest to replace his rug, all the while trying to figure out who kidnapped Bunny (Tara Reid), who stole the ransom money provided by her husband, who may or may not have been kidnapped by an 80’s German musical group, and pursued by several other groups of people, all wanting something from him. The absurd journey that The Dude embarks upon against his own will takes him to wild places encountering equally as strange people along the way, people who want to use his naivety against him. It’s this absurdity which drives the comedy, as with most Coen Brothers films, it’s smartly done while providing wildly entertaining sequences that instantly elevated the film to cult status.
There’s a reason why there are celebrations of this film all over the world, the Lebowski Fest, Duedism, all inspired by this film and are celebrated by countless people. The film can have so many different meanings depending on the way you look at it, a mark of a truly great film. For me, the similarities to the film-noir genre turned on its head is what is so appealing, with the amazing acting from the cast and the near perfect writing and directing leading the film. Although this may be Jeff Bridges most iconic roles, for me, it’s John Goodman that shines here. His violent tirades against those who speak against him, including poor Donnie, are one of the funniest parts of the film. It had been years since I’ve seen the film, but the moments I easily remembered were all from John Goodman. The supporting cast are all phenomenal, providing well-rounded story arcs that held up very well over the past 20 years.
Video
The Big Lebowski is presented in 2160p 4k Ultra High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1. The HDR provides a great balance of color, highlighting the brilliant brights and deep darks that the HDR boasts. The overall transfer is crystal clear with grain kept at a manageable level. The film shifts between day and night often, with all sequences looking the best they possibly can. No defects were noticed in the transfer.
The Blu-Ray is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS:X, and this new mix sounds great. With the majority of the sound coming from the center channel in the form of dialogue, the levels are well balanced with the surrounds never overpowering the it. The score and soundtrack are one of the best parts of the film, and in this mix they sound incredible.
Special Features
The Big Lebowski has always gone above and beyond when it comes to their sets. The previous DVD set I own contains a bowling ball rag, coasters, as well as several photos from the film. This new 4k set goes even further, coming in a reproduction of The Dude’s bowling ball bag, which includes the film and a sweater made to fit the case that resembles the one he wears in the film. It also includes a bowling ball, and a bowling ball rag to match the rug from the film. This is a really cool set, but getting this will highly depend on the person. It’s a cool display item if you have the space, but fitting neatly along with your other Blu-Rays you’ll have to split it up, as no one I know would ever keep the sweater on the case while displayed amongst your other films. Regardless of which you choose, this unique set or the stand alone film, it’s a great set that includes quite a few extras on the disc:
- The Dude’s Life
- The Dude Abides: The Big Lebowski Ten Years Later
- Making of The Big Lebowski
- The Lebowski Fest: An Achiever’s Story
- Flying Carpets and Bowling Pin Dreams: The Dream Sequences of The Dude
- Interactive Map
- Jeff Bridges Photo Book
- Photo Gallery
- Worthy Adversaries: What’s My Line Trivia
- An Exclusive Introduction
The Big Lebowski continues to remain a cult film, with this new release hopefully reaching a new generation of fans. A really cool set that may tie your collection together, consider picking up this thing and displaying it as the centerpiece of your collection!
