It's unfair to call this new version of "The Producers" a remake of the classic 1968 film. While they do share the same plot, the new version is an adaptation of the stage musical complete with song and dance numbers and several new characters not in the original film. So even though Matthew Broderick is no Gene Wilder, and Zero Mostel's performance in the original is one of the greatest accomplishments in comedic history, the new "Producers" is still very enjoyable and damn funny.\nNathan Lane plays Max Bialystock, a washed up Broadway producer forced to sleep with little old ladies to raise funds for his plays. When his accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick) stumbles upon a scheme in which their play will earn more money if it is a failure rather than a hit, the two set out to find the worst play possible and discover it in "Springtime for Hitler," a musical written by a Nazi loyalist. Nearly 40 years after its first incarnation, Mel Brooks' concept is still original, brilliant and hilarious. Besides, there really isn't anything funnier than watching tap dancing Nazis. Brooks' songs are catchy and the lyrics insanely witty. In "Springtime for Hitler" a storm-trooper sings, "Don't be stupid, be a smarty, come and join the Nazi party."\nThe movie is very faithful to the stage version. Both have the same director and much of the original cast returns, with Will Ferrell and Uma Thurman added for star power (both good fits, though Thurman's voice strains a little when having to belt longer notes). And while it's nice to see such loyalty, more creative work would've been useful. Sometimes it feels like a camera was just set up in front of the stage and the play was filmed. Some calming down is also needed as Lane and Broderick deliver many of their lines so over the top they'll exhaust the viewer. \nSpecial features include deleted scenes, most of which are reprises of musical numbers already in the film, and with an already running time of over two hours, were wisely kept out. However, "King of Broadway," one of the show's opening numbers, should have been kept in because not only is it funny, it helps introduce the character of Max. An "anatomy of a scene" feature chronicles the filming of "I Wanna be a Producer" and details the magnificent set and costuming. More of these anatomies should have been included. Mel Brooks is essentially absent from the features and his presence would have been perfect for Stroman's director commentary which is obviously scripted and sounds tense. Outtakes are also included. \nIt's a shame "The Producers" wasn't a box office hit. While moviegoers are usually skeptical about musicals, if just given the chance, the film could have appealed to the smart but immature comedy hungry audiences that made "Wedding Crashers" and "The 40 Year Old Virgin" such huge successes. The national tour of "The Producers" will stop in Bloomington in October, but until then the DVD is almost as good.
\n--Michael Mellini
