"BILL ENGVALL:
AGED AND CONFUSED"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Bill Engvall as HIMSELF Not Rated Studio: Warner Bros. Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
One of the pioneers of modern blue-collar comedy, Bill Engvall, takes on some new topics in his most recent comedy special “Aged and Confused.” Having garnered an eponymous television show and multiple comedy releases, this Texas-born everyman takes a look back at his life and career.
WHAT I LIKED
I may not be a redneck, nor a blue-collar worker, but I have found over the years that I have thoroughly enjoyed the blue-collar comedy that is coming out of our beloved flyover country. Hell, it’s funny stuff, and it’s far more relateable than a prissy coastal comedian talking about wheat grass and their therapy sessions.
There’s a down-to-earth nature you get from Engvall and his associates from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. And Engvall strikes new ground in this stand-up special, taking a look at what it’s like to grow older in today’s America as well as how he deals with his own fame (or lack thereof).
Sure, there’s some old comedy stand-bys, like dealing with sex and relationships at his age (now in his 50s) as well as some good, old fashioned fart humor in his recollection of what it was like to get a colonoscopy. With a name like “Aged and Confused,” you can expect to get a more retrospective look than what you’d find in a special from a young, hip comedian.
Over the past year, I’ve reviewed a number of stand-up specials, and I’ve found that by the time a comedian is big enough to garner his own studio DVD release, he’s lived enough to see his life slow down, his body parts start sagging and what it’s like to raise a family. As someone just barely on the right side of 40, I can relate to a lot of what Engvall has to say. These DVDs are not for the kids in college, but rather for their parents... or who might be their parents in about ten years.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Not having listened to much of Engvall’s comedy before this release, it’s hard to compare to his earlier work. However, there does seem to be some maturity that comes along with it. Part of this special does seem to rely on being familiar with his tone and comedy before watching, so it’s doesn’t exactly do a bang-up job grabbing new listeners.
Additionally, this is a bare-bones package, which could have been more generous to people looking for some extra features.
DVD FEATURES
The DVD comes with a six-minute bonus track, which amounts to the encore segment from his show. There’s a moment of sincerity at the beginning as he thanks the audience for their years of support, which is very endearing.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Fans of Bill Engvall and his humor that changes with his age.
