-Written by Kyle Bain.
Back in October of 2021 I covered a film called The Master Chef. Along with it I made the announcement that it was not yet available to watch–but over the course of the past three years some things have changed, including its availability. The Master Chef (Redux) is now available for public viewing. You can find that link at the end of this review.
You may choose not to, but I believe it important to read my review of the original cut of The Master Chef before diving into my thoughts on the completed product. For that, please click HERE.
As for The Master Chef (Redux), not a whole lot has changed, other than the soundtrack. The soundtrack works wonders for this short film about Chef de Cuisine (Dan Conrad) who’s struggling to complete a dish before he sends it out to a customer.
The Master Chef (Redux) is an intentionally silly film that plays with many of the ideas that are presented to viewers in popular cooking competitions such as Cutthroat Kitchen and Worst Cooks in America, and I get that Writers Conrad and Greg Vorob, as well as Director Abi Varghese are attempting to present this sentiment to viewers in a comedic way–however, I think in order for this to truly work, drama needed to be a tad more present. The soundtrack does just that–creates drama that transcends the film and creates a level of balance. The soundtrack is dramatic, and the drama that it produces cuts through the cheesy humor in the best way possible.
As the soundtrack permeates the screen, the ironic intensity that this team hoped viewers would experience becomes heavily prominent–and I truly felt something. While the underlying tones of humor still exist, I was able to step into the shoes of Chef de Cuisine, able to feel what he felt, able to understand his concern and his panic throughout the course of The Master Chef (Redux). It’s sometimes challenging for me to fully understand the role that music (of any kind) plays in a film. I know it’s important, but it’s sometimes hard for me to gauge just how important. Is it really effective? Does it meet expectations? Are there any expectations? However, seeing (and hearing) two different renditions of the same film really opened my eyes to the power of music. The Master Chef (Redux) is a master class in the use of music to propel a film and develop emotion within it.
The Master Chef was an enjoyable experience, but The Master Chef (Redux) ups the emotional ante, improves on an already entertaining film to a degree. I didn’t think that The Master Chef needed an upgrade, and it really didn’t, as it was already successful–but I’m impressed with the inclusion of this soundtrack and the gravitas that it brings to the production.
Viewing Link: https://youtu.be/oUhUBVs2Nvw?si=SCcs1ix-2OvaXoNU
Directed by Abi Varghese.
Written by Dan Conrad & Greg Vorob.
Starring David Thomas Crowe, Dan Conrad, Greg Vorob, Marc Seidenstein, Paul White, etc.
8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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