Get Smart

Get Smart" arrives on Blu-ray with a crisp 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer that impresses, framed at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The visual presentation is largely commendable, offering a clean and blemish-free image that exudes a high-gloss elegance expected from Warner's releases. The color rendition is natural, balanced, and well-saturated without falling prey to bleeding or chroma noise, though it's noted that the vibrancy of hues, especially reds and fleshtones, could be more dynamic; they tend towards the dull side compared to other contemporary releases. While blacks are deep and solid, contributing to a strong contrast, they sometimes overpower the finer details in darker scenes due to crushing, and the contrast comes across as flat, particularly noticeable in brighter exteriors that seem slightly washed out.

The technical execution maintains fine details beautifully across both foregrounds and backgrounds, ensuring a sharp image throughout the film. Nevertheless, a minor critique lies in the handling of shadow details which occasionally get lost in darker sequences, diminishing the overall depth perception. A consistent fine grain structure adds to the filmic quality without resorting to digital noise reduction or artificial enhancement, preserving the original texture of the movie. Despite these strengths, there are infrequent instances of edge enhancement and aliasing on intricate patterns like clothing, which while not pervasive, are notable upon close inspection.

Overall, "Get Smart" on Blu-ray does not achieve the status of a demo disc but stands out as a robust presentation by Warner. Its few shortcomings—in shadow detail and color vibrancy—are compensated for by its spot-on flesh tones, solid black levels, and absence of any significant digital artifacts or processing issues. It's a presentation that respects the source material and delivers a very good viewing experience for fans and newcomers alike, with all minor quibbles considered.

Warner's release of 'Get Smart' on Blu-ray presents us with a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround mix encoded at 640kbps, neglecting once again the inclusion of a lossless audio track. The dialogue is crisp, clear, and well-balanced amidst the music and sound effects, ensuring that conversations are always front and center. The score by Trevor Rabin enhances the atmosphere and sometimes spills into the surrounds, adding a hint of spatial openness in certain scenes. While the frontal sound stage boasts a commendable width and activity, its depth appears limited, failing to fully extend into the viewer's space. The surrounds contribute to a consistent but subtle ambiance, demanding a quiet environment for its nuances to be appreciated. They complement the front channels effectively in some scenes, adding dimension through low-level split surround activity and occasional refreshing back wall information.

However, the technical shortcomings are hard to overlook. The absence of a lossless audio option results in a sound field that feels fractured between the front and rear hemispheres, leading to a lack of cohesive auditory immersion. The reliance on Dolby Digital confines the audio to pool around the speakers without employing the virtual space beyond, lacking the expansive and coherent experience provided by high-resolution tracks. Although the LFE channel adds punch to explosions and the bass is decently handled across the front channels, the mix's overall dynamism suffers from this compression.

Despite its strengths in dialogue clarity and score reproduction, 'Get Smart's Blu-ray audio mix leaves something to be desired for audiophiles. The sound environment, primarily designed to support the film's comedic and action elements, could have significantly benefited from the depth and clarity that a lossless codec offers. As it stands, it delivers a satisfactory but ultimately underwhelming auditory experience, suggesting a missed opportunity to fully immerse viewers in the world of 'Get Smart.'

The Blu-ray presentation of "Get Smart" offers an array of extras that despite their abundance, may leave enthusiasts desiring more in terms of quality and depth. Highlighting the set is the innovative Comedy Optimization Mode in HD, providing a creative twist on viewing deleted scenes. However, much of the additional content such as the gag reels, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a DVD game, despite offering some entertainment value, particularly the insights into casting and on-location shoots in Moscow, generally feel like filler. The extras, primarily in standard definition with stereo audio save for the highlighted Comedy Optimization mode, might not fully satisfy those looking for an immersive deep-dive into the making of the film but do add a layer of engagement for fans interested in the lighter side of this espionage comedy, including a digital copy for on-the-go viewing.

Extras included in this disc:

• Comedy Optimization Mode: A unique presentation of deleted scenes and alternate footage.
• Smart Takes Alternate Scenes: Branching allows for viewing over 50 minutes of alternate takes during playback.
• The Old I Hid it In the Movie Trick: Commentary on series references found in the movie.
• The Right Agent for the Right Job: Discusses casting and offers a behind-the-scenes look at key scenes.
• Max in Moscow: On-location featurette about shooting in Moscow.
• Language Lessons: A humorous take on linguistics with Steve Carell.
• The Vomit Reel: Compilation of comedic vomiting takes.
• Spy Confidential Gag Reel: A collection of bloopers from the film.
• The Making of Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control: Behind-the-scenes for the direct-to-video release.
• Get Smart: KAOS Out of Control: A DVD game focused on the film's universe.
• Digital Copy: Provides a digital version of the movie for PCs and Macs.

Get Smart," the 2008 film adaptation of the classic television series, manages to strike a careful balance between homage and reinvention. While it diverges in several respects from its source material, as seen right from its opening scenes, the movie integrates enough of the TV series' hallmark touches to remain familiar to long-standing fans. Central to its appeal is the undeniable chemistry between Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway, who bring Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 to life with a mixture of comic timing and palpable synergy, ensuring their partnership is one of the film's brightest spots. However, the narrative pace suffers from inconsistency, feeling sluggish at points which suggests that tighter editing could have benefited the overall momentum without sacrificing the storyline's integrity. Despite these pacing issues, the ensemble cast delivers standout performances that contribute significantly to the film's humor and entertainment value.

Financially, "Get Smart" proved its mettle at the box office with impressive figures, contrasting with its mixed critical reception which saw it garnering a 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, despite endorsements from notable figures like Roger Ebert and series creator Mel Brooks. The narrative follows Control analyst Maxwell Smart as he is thrust into active duty alongside Agent 99 to thwart KAOS's nefarious plans, incorporating elements of romance, intrigue, and internal betrayal against a backdrop of global espionage. This setup paves the way for a narrative that's as much about personal dynamics as it is about high-stakes action, though at times it seems the film's ambition outstrips its reach, diluting its impact as a spy genre parody.

The film navigates the fine line between tribute and parody with varying degrees of success. While it may not hit the comedic bull's-eye envisioned as the definitive spoof of spy movies, its effort is commendable and surpasses many contemporaries in terms of sheer entertainment value. Carell's portrayal of Maxwell Smart captures the essence of his character's bumbling heroism without becoming a caricature, and Hathaway proves to be an adept comedic foil. Their dynamic is complemented by appearances from characters such as Alan Arkin’s Chief and Dwayne Johnson’s Agent 23, who add depth to the film’s satirical edge. Despite occasionally veering into generic territories, "Get Smart" distinguishes itself through a blend of humor, action, and affectionate nods to its origins, making it a worthwhile adventure for both die-hard fans of the series and newcomers alike.

The Blu-ray release of "Get Smart," while not without its shortcomings, offers a blend of nostalgia and innovation that keeps the essence of the original 1960s spy series alive, yet manages to carve out its own identity. Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway lead with excellent performances, showcasing undeniable chemistry that is a highlight of the film. The adaptation respects its roots but is not afraid to introduce fresh twists, appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences. However, the exclusion of a lossless audio track is a noticeable oversight, detracting from what could have been a more immersive viewing experience. Despite this, the visual and audio quality is commendable, and the inclusion of a variety of extra material adds value to the release.

Critics and fans might find the movie to veer towards the unnecessary side, with its memory fading fast post-viewing due to its excessively silly take on the genre. Nonetheless, it serves as an entertaining option for a laid-back weekend, benefiting from its high-quality video and audio presentation on Blu-ray, albeit the regrettable absence of a high-resolution audio option. The disc's decent range of supplements somewhat compensates for the film's and release's flaws, making it a satisfactory, if not essential, addition to one's Blu-ray collection.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray presentation of "Get Smart" is a solid if not spectacular release that will mostly satisfy those looking for a light-hearted spy caper. While it may not fully live up to the potential of its source material or the capabilities of the Blu-ray format due to the audio limitations, Carell and Hathaway's performances alongside the supplementary content make it worth considering for purchase or rental. It's an enjoyable, though flawed, homage to the iconic series, suitable for fans seeking a dose of nostalgia intertwined with modern humor.