Every Which Way But Loose Blu-ray offers solid video and decent audio in this enjoyable Blu-ray release
This unusual combination of bare knuckle fighting and lighthearted romp was also a comedic
change of pace for its rugged star Clint Eastwood. Eastwood plays trucker Philo Beddoe, a
revered brawler who lives in a shack with his best pal's feisty, elderly mother (Ruth
Gordon) and an orangutan, Clyde, who sips beer and thumbs his nose at authority. Philo is
preparing for a bout against the wishes of his mother and his new love interest (Sandra
Locke). If clashing with the women in his life weren't enough, he has to deal with his cocky
opponent, gamblers, and a chopper gang who constantly harrass him. Fortunately, he does
have Clyde backing him up as well as his trusty companion Orville Boggs (regular Eastwood
collaborator Geoffrey Lewis).
This bizarre hick comedy was a surprise hit and spawned a sequel featuring many in the
original cast. The country soundtrack combines the talents of Steve Dorff and Snuff Garrett
and boasts a hit single by Eddie Rabbitt.
Rounding out the decade that saw him make Harry Callahan a household
name, steal Nazi gold, or run The Gauntlet, Clint
Eastwood's Every Which Way But Loose proved to be quite the departure from his staple
of
Spaghetti Westerns and action pictures. A comedy at heart, but with a healthy dose of action
and a
hit Country & Western soundtrack, the film became the fourth-highest box office earner of 1978,
beating out Jaws II, Halloween, and the year's best picture winner, The Deer
Hunter, and it was bested only by three classics -- Grease, Superman, and
Animal House. It would not only be the draw of the famed Eastwood that would pack
theaters for Loose; the film is a fast-paced, genuinely funny road trip movie with
memorable characters, a fine script, laugh-out-loud gags, a cute orangutang, and have I
mentioned
the beer yet?
Warner Brothers is practically charging peanuts for this bare-bones release.
Every Which Way But Loose stars Clint Eastwood as Philo, a brawling tuck driver always
in
search of the next woman, fight, and ice cold beer. He keeps his orangutang, Clyde, in nearly
permanent tow, a prize he collected from one of his fights. One evening at the local honky tonk,
Philo meets Lynn Halsey-Taylor (Sondra Locke), an up-and-coming country music singer who
attaches herself to Philo almost immediately. Letting him in on her plan to purchase her own
club in Denver, Lynn tells Philo she needs only a
measly $7,000 to get the club up-and-running. Philo, after a run-in with
some
local neo-Nazi bikers known as the "Black Widows," presents to her some of the cash he earned
from selling the bikes he took from them. Soon thereafter, Lynn disappears, and the love-struck
Philo, Clyde, and Philo's friend Orville (Geoffrey Lewis, The Devil's Rejects)
set out on a road trip to find her. The team
finds itself chased by the Black Widows and a pair of police officers who have vowed to hunt Philo
down after a brawl, all the while attempting to discover where Lynn has run off to -- and
determine
if
her motives and feelings for Philo are true once and for all.
Before it settles nicely into its groove, Every Which Way But Loose is a bit of a
meanderer, featuring a somewhat slow-to-develop rhythm. The film begins with a glimpse into
Philo's life, setting up the character's skills, lifestyle, and temperament. It also begins the
sometimes funny but ultimately unnecessary plot device revolving around Orville's mother and
her quest to obtain a drive's license. It's not until the relationship between Philo and Lynn
becomes serious does the movie gain steam. The film often feels more like a series of vignettes
loosely, rather than coherently, tied together, one big montage of sorts with a central theme to
bond it into a cohesive whole. That's not necessarily bad in a film like Every Which Way But
Loose. It's more about the adventure and the laughs than it is a strong story arc, and
presented with just enough exposition, the film's story line is good enough to keep the movie
going. Ridiculous plot devices abound, but because the film never takes itself seriously, audiences
easily overlook the coincidences and implausibility of much of the film and simply enjoy the ride.
Every Which Way But Loose is the definition of the perfect time-waster, because that's
all it sets out to be.
With good performances all around, including that of Clyde the orangutang, this borderline classic
from the late 1970s shouldn't leave too many audience members disappointed.
Every Which Way But Loose hits the road with its 1080p, 16x9 Blu-ray transfer. Every
Which Way But Loose benefits from its Blu-ray release, visually. It's very clear and mostly
clean, a solid transfer of an older title that is sure to please longtime fans. The film is covered in film
grain over the opening credits and is sure to bother audiences in search of grain- and noise-free
images. The grain does diminish drastically once the film gets going, however. It returns in a few
spots, along with some print blemishes, but the movie is generally clear and pleasing to the eye.
Colors are bold, first noticed by the very bright blue of Philo's work truck as seen at the beginning of
the film. Black levels are solid, and flesh tones appear natural. Detail is moderately strong, but
audiences wont be floored by the quality of this release. Some later scenes in the film, taking place
in the great outdoors, offer, arguably, the finest imagery of the entire film with lush green grass,
bright skies, and knee-deep water. The sequences offer the best depth of any segment of the film.
Every Which Way But Loose brawls onto Blu-ray with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless
soundtrack. The theme song that plays over the opening credits, appropriately titled "Every
Which Way But Loose" and performed by Eddie Rabbitt, flows primarily from the center channel.
Fidelity is acceptable, and the tune is pleasing, audibly, but certainly not all that dynamic from a
technical perspective. The track doesn't offer much in the way of rousing effects; the TrueHD
offering is a bit fuller than the other lossy 5.1, 2.0, and 1.0 mixes available on the disc,
particularly with regard to the various Country and Western tunes heard throughout. The scenes
at the honky tonk in chapter 6, particularly during Lynn Halsey-Taylor's act, represent one of the
most impressive listens during the film. Sound effects, like the impact of punches during a brawl,
the collision of automobiles, or some of the gunshots heard throughout the film, pack only a
moderate punch, although a scene featuring motorcycles and a shotgun-blasting grandma in
chapter 17 is fairly impressive.
A few discrete effects spread into the front left and right speakers, and a few directional effects
find their way into the back, including the revving of motorcycle engines or the sounds of an
automated car wash in chapter 7, but the track is never all that compelling. Dialogue is generally
clear, but lost under various effects at times.
It's a wonder it took those good old boys from out yonder in Cal-i-forn-i-a as long as it did to
reckon just what would make the zaniest movie ever. With plenty of good old-fashioned country
music, including a cameo by the great Mel Tillis, a shotgun-toting grandma, a neo-Nazi motorcycle
gang, bar brawls, cute little ladies in tight-fitting outfits, an orangutang, Clint Eastwood, and beer
(lots and lots and lots of beer!), it's no wonder that Every Which Way But Loose was the
surprise hit of 1978. The film is nothing more than a good time, and never attempts to be
anything more than a movie that offers just the right mix to relax with after a tiring day on the job.
Warner Brothers makes the decision to add this disc to your collection an easy one. Featuring solid
picture quality, an adequate lossless soundtrack, and a very nice price that makes the sting of the
lack of bonus materials fade away, Blu-ray enthusiasts should find enough here to their (and their
wallet's) liking. Kick off the boots, grab a cold one, prop up the feet, throw Every Which Way
But Loose into the Blu-ray player, and enjoy. Recommended.
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