Director:
C.B. Harding
Cast:
Jeff Foxworthy ………. Himself
Bill Engvall ………. Himself
Larry The Cable Guy ………. Himself
Ron White ………. Himself
The Set
Jeff Foxworthy started the revolution of “redneck comedy” back in 1993. He was the “voice of the South”. His “You Might Be a Redneck If…” jokes made him famous and won him many awards including a Grammy. In 2000, he decided to share the spotlight with three of his “redneck comedian” friends. Thus, the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” was born. It became the #1 comedy tour for the next two years grossing around $12 million. In November 2001, the tour moved to a LIVE album. That became a success as well, so it was only natural that the tour turned into a movie. Of course, when people pay a lot of money to see a movie, there usually is a sequel. If that sequel does well, then there is usually another sequel as you might imagine. So six years and three movies later, we have the COMPLETE set together for the first time.
The best way to review this set is to look at each of the comedians and compare them, and then compare the three separate performances. So let’s start with the comedians featured in all three of these movies. First, these guys are really friends. These are not four “random rednecks” thrown together. That really becomes clear at the end of each of these performances when they sit down together and joke around. This moment is the highlight of each of the performances.
Each comedian is different and has their own style and tells different kinds of jokes. They tend to balance each other out here. Ron White has a cigar in one hand and a scotch drink in the other. How he can also hold a microphone is beyond me, but he does it. His comedy is more “dark” in nature. He talks about death and things of that nature in a joking manner. Meanwhile, Larry the Cable Guy is all “character”. He has a thick “Southern” accent. His comedy is more about catchphrases, like “Git R Done” or “I don’t care who you are, that’s funny right there!” or “Lord, I apologize!”, and gross-out humor. He also talks about his weird and disfunctional family, which is probably made up but funny in a sick way. Bill Engvall is the “family man”. Most of his comedy deals with family situations regarding his wife and kids. That’s except his infamous “Here’s You Sign..” shtick. His humor is more gentle and less offensive. Finally, you have Jeff Foxworthy, who is the leader of the pack and most famous as I said before. He is the creator of the “redneck” jokes. He’s the one guy everyone can relate to. So basically you have Larry a.k.a. “The Dumb Guy”, Ron a.k.a. “The Drunk Guy, Bill a.k.a. “The Family Guy”, and Jeff “The Every Guy” or “The Redneck Guy”.
Now what are the differences between the three performances. On each one, all four guys mostly have fresh material besides their “trademarks” of course. The first performance was shot like an actual movie. The comedy was performed at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. But in between each guy’s act, there are little segments thrown in with all of the guys doing things like going fishing in a boat or shopping at Victoria’s Secret, etc. We get special guest appearances from David Alan Grier and Heidi Klum as well. Each of these segments end up highlighting the different comedians that follow them. These tended to be more distracting than funny, though. Sure, they were amusing but there was funnier stuff in the actual stand-up routines.
The second performances were performed in Denver, Colorado. The crowd was WAY better here than in the first one. The segments between routines were back, but fortunately there were few of these. The ones on there were all shot on a tour bus as we see them interacting with each other in small surroundings. It’s mostly “toilet humor” as you might expect. This time they drew numbers out of a hat to see what order they go in. For some reason, no one wants to be last. I would think that would be the best position since it’s “main event” time, but I’m no comedian so I don’t know. It’s a close call, but overall this was slightly funnier than the first one. Again, it’s more of what they did on stage and not what they did in the tour bus, though.
The final performances were performed at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C. This was meant to bring some “class” to these “rednecks”. But have no fear, Jeff, Bill, Larry, and Ron all bring back their trademarks styles of comedy, which is definitely “blue collar”. We see more of the foursome off of the stage like we did in the previous two movies. Most of it is in extras, though, which is a good thing. This time it’s more about them going to the White House and visiting Washington, D.C. These are just not as funny as the actual stand-up routines. As for the routines, they are equally as funny as in the ones featured in the first two movies. It’s definitely a good way to end things, if this is the “end of the line” for the “Blue Collar Boys” together on stage.
On their own, Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Ron White, and Larry the Cable Guy are funny, but their acts can get old pretty fast. However, when you have all four together like this that is what makes them shine and sets them apart from other “redneck” comedians. They are at their best together and having all 3 of their performances together in one set is the best way to view them. Each of the performances are funny and different. You’re definitely less likely to get bored here, since each of the comedians featured are like a piece to a funny puzzle. Take one piece away and it destroys the whole thing. But when all of their pieces are together, it’s just one big comedy fest, whether you’re a “redneck” or not.
The Video:
The video is given in fullscreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 for Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie, in both widescreen (aspect ratio 1:78.1) and fullscreen (aspect ratio 1.33:1) color for Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again, and then in fullscreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 for Blue Collar Comedy Tour – One for the Road. Transfer is decent with minimal distortion.
The Audio:
The audio included is in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound for all three movies with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour – One for the Road having an option of English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround sound as well. No problems here either.
The Extras:
The only extras are on the final movie in the set and series, Blue Collar Comedy Tour – One for the Road. Here is what is included on that DVD…
Yankee Doody Dandy –
This is a little segment with the boys in Washington, D.C. They walk up to the “White House” and pretend to throw a bag of flaming doody next to the front door, ring the door bell, and run off. George W. Bush comes out and steps it in and then gives them a talking to. It’s fairly amusing.
Molding the Minds of Young Americans –
All four comedians had a question and answer session at George Washington University. Most of the questions were from college students, who were all pretty smart. Some pretty informative and funny stuff here actually.
Blue Collar Fans –
This featurette is all about the fans of these comedians. Some guy interviews members of the audience and asks them various questions about the guys and their comedy. You can laugh at some of these fans, which is probably the best thing here.
Behind the Scenes of One For the Road –
The standard behind-the-scenes featurette here. This mostly features the guys getting all dressed up in tuxedos and taking pictures that would be used for the opening sequence of this movie. Then, we go behind-the-scenes of the guys doing their Washington, D.C. skits and stuff. It’s nice to see how this whole thing came together, but nothing special.
Photo Gallery –
These are various photos of the guys. Most of these were seen at the end of this movie and they are all pretty funny. Not as funny as the guys commenting on them in the show, though.
Obviously, if you live in the South you will probably be able to relate to the jokes more than other people in the country. However, this comedy is not just for “rednecks”. These guys talk enough about everyday problems that everyone can relate to, that most people will find something to laugh about here. They are all friends and are similar people, but the jokes they tell are almost completely different. Don’t judge them on their own, though. They are at their best when they are all together. So fans of any of these comedians will definitely want to get this collection. However, you may not want to get this set right off if you haven’t seen any of their performances before. Just pick one movie and if you like it, you’ll like the other two.
