When a talented individual finally gets their big break, it is always fascinating to see what they do with their newfound success. Will they choose the path of channeling their clout into artistically fulfilling personal projects, or will they latch on to the fame monster and hold on until they take it as far as they can go? The lore behind comedian Dave Chappelle is a fascinating one to analyze. This supremely talented individual was making waves with his standup comedy and in films such as Robin Hood: Men In Tights, Con Air and Half Baked. Yet, he did not fully become a cultural breakout until his hit Comedy Central series Chappelle’s Show hit the zeitgeist like a freight train. His rebuke of his massive success is well documented, but before he made that headline-grabbing decision he used his clout to produce one of the most relevant concert films of our time. Dave Chappelle’s Block Party uses Chappelle’s signature personality to bring together some of the most fascinating musicians in Hip Hop and R&B for a performance that truly means something.
On September 18, 2004, Dave Chappelle threw a block party for the ages on the corner of Quincy Street and Downing Street in Brooklyn, New York City. As interesting as the performances are in this film, there is just as much attention paid to Chappelle leading up to the event and behind the scenes. There is something so relatable about a person who gets enough power that he decides he wants to throw the ultimate concert that is tailor-made to their sensibilities. This is not a selfish endeavor, though. Chappelle, a resident of a sleepy Ohio town, is seen moving through his city and inviting residents to the block party in New York City via a chartered bus. This gives the audience a chance to see some hilarious interactions between Dave and some of the colorful citizens. These moments can be very funny, but you can also see what a worthwhile opportunity it is for some of these people to get to experience something once in a lifetime. The prime example of this is a local marching band that Dave invites to come perform at the block party – a truly moving moment.
This may not be as exciting if the performers that Dave assembled were not some of the best of the best. Before he became more of a problematic figure, you have a young Kanye West here performing “Jesus Walks” with the school marching band. His status has grown so much in the interim, but a baby-faced John Legend shows up multiple times throughout the show including with Kanye and Common. Mos Def and Talib Kweli are electric together on stage in a performance you never want to end. Erykah Badu puts on a fearless performance that is punctuated by her ripping off her weave when wind becomes a bit too much of an issue. Dead Prez speaks truth to power with an incendiary performance of “Hip Hop” that fans of the genre will flip over. And last, but certainly not least, Lauryn Hill was scheduled to perform but was barred by her record label from performing her songs. Her solution? A mind-blowing reunion of The Fugees that brings the house down. The number of classic performances throughout is staggering.
The relaxed atmosphere that Dave brings to interacting with everyday people translates to his relationships with these artists. The footage that director Michel Gondry captures in the green room and during rehearsals is equally as satisfying at what is happening on stage. Most of these acts have been working in the same circles for years, and you love getting to see them just be together as people. A personal favorite moment is when Jill Scott relays her admiration for Erykah Badu while she is on stage. This event is not a place for egos, and the vibes stay incredibly positive throughout. Dave Chappelle’s Block Party successfully captures a period of time in which you want to immerse yourself. There is not a false note to be documented, be it a performance or personal moments between any of the people lucky enough to be a part of this event. Dave Chappelle has made a proper comeback on his own terms in recent years, but a part of me will always be grateful for what he chose to do with his success back in this period of time.
Video Quality
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party makes its Blu-Ray debut with a 1080p transfer that is much appreciated and represents a big step up in quality from the ancient DVD release. While I have no specific details about the transfer, this appears to be derived from a solid older master that shows no signs of age-related wear and tear. For the majority of the film, the transfer looks incredibly clear and detailed with only a couple of shots exhibiting what would be labeled as excessive noise. Due to the documentary nature of the feature, you cannot fault the film for showcasing a minor bit of inconsistency aesthetically between environments. The transfer is naturally filmic with some impressive detail in the shooting locations and texture of clothing. Colors stand out in a really pleasing manner with bright, vivid hues represented in key spots amongst a mostly cloud-covered filming area. Black levels are pleasing in their depth with not much in the way of crush present. There is very little in the way of damage present in the transfer. Overall, I was quite impressed by how strong the presentation was from beginning to end.
Audio Quality
Perhaps more important than the video upgrade, Mill Creek Entertainment brings us this new Blu-Ray with a lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that gives this feature the strength it deserves. The dialogue holds up quite nicely, coming though clearly without being stepped on by the music or environmental effects. The music is the key component of this film, and every performance comes through with a forcefulness that has been lacking previously. The environmental effects are delineated nicely and given a dynamic placement throughout the speakers. The sounds of crowd merriment along with a slew of other sounds bring nuanced life to the rear speakers. This is a track that has been begging for an upgrade on disc, and Mill Creek has finally made it happen.
Special Features
There are no special features included on this disc.
Final Thoughts
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is the perfect example of an artist using their clout to make the world a happier place. Not only has the world been graced with a documentation of these performances from artists at a key point in their careers, but Dave also gave people a special day that they will never forget with no expectation of receiving anything in return. The fact that we get to act as spectators to some of the most fascinating artists of modern times simply hanging out as people is a gift that will never not be appreciated. Mill Creek Entertainment has released this one on Blu-Ray with a solid A/V upgrade that fans will greatly appreciate. Highly Recommended
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Mill Creek Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
