Little Man Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Little Man" presents a video quality that is commendably free of defects, thanks to its 1.85:1, 1080p transfer. However, it's not without its drawbacks, primarily due to an overly bright and processed look that leads to a somewhat washed-out appearance. Despite this, the vibrant colors and natural flesh tones are notable positives. The picture quality boasts a high level of detail and clarity, accompanied by deep, vivid scenes and accurately rendered black levels. Although the film grain is virtually absent, presenting a very clean image, the overall effect can feel unnaturally smooth.

On the technical side, this Blu-ray benefits from a 1080p/MPEG-2 transfer that does its best to elevate the film's presentation, despite some questionable choices in terms of visual styling. The image tends to lean towards a hotter contrast spectrum, resulting in whites that are overpoweringly strong, and colors that, despite their vibrancy, seem almost oversaturated and thereby contribute to the diminished sense of depth. This contrast enhancement and color saturation lead to flesh tones that veer towards the excessively reddish, which could be interpreted as a deliberate aesthetic choice by the film's production team, though it detracts from the potential for a more lifelike image replication.

Despite these color and contrast issues, the source material's pristine condition is a significant plus, showing off a sharp, consistent sharpness and an adequate level of detail. The slight presence of film grain rather than noise is a testament to the quality of the original print used for this transfer. Although the image might lose some depth due to these visual adjustments, resulting in a 'TV movie-esque' appearance, "Little Man" on Blu-ray stands as a solid if not spectacular example of high-definition home video presentation.

The audio presentation of "Little Man" on Blu-ray, brought forth in both high definition PCM 5.1 uncompressed sound and Dolby Digital 5.1, offers an experience that can be best described as a minor step above its predecessors without truly capitalizing on the potential of high-fidelity, multi-channel setups. Despite the provision of an uncompressed option, the film fails to leverage the full spectrum of auditory immersion that aficionados might expect. The surround channels are sparingly used, with music occasionally seeping into the rear channels to provide a modest sense of spatial depth. Dialogue maintains clarity and is presented at a comfortable level, ensuring that it remains comprehensible without succumbing to harshness or muddiness.

However, it's crucial to highlight the inherent limitations presented by the film's sound design which appears to lack ambition, mirroring a trend commonly seen in comedic genres where the focus predominantly leans towards dialogue and front-loaded mixes. As a result, the audio landscape of "Little Man" feels constrained and front-heavy, with rear channel activity relegated to perfunctory roles that barely captivate or enhance the viewing experience. The use of low-frequency effects (LFE) is adequate yet unremarkable, failing to impart the kind of impact that might elevate scenes requiring a more substantive auditory presence.

Moreover, while the clarity of dialogue is one of the soundtrack's strengths, the overall utilization of the film’s score and ambient effects leaves much to be desired. The soundtrack's dynamics seem compressed within a safe, unventurous range, with many opportunities for enriching the soundscape overlooked. This results in a presentation that, while competent in delivering clear and intelligible speech, significantly underuses the capabilities of its uncompressed format and does not provide an engaging surround sound experience. The discrete use of sound for atmospheric details such as traffic noise provides sparse moments of immersion, yet these instances are few and far between, rendering the overall audio experience as somewhat lackluster and underwhelming.

The Blu-ray edition of "Little Man," humorously dubbed the "Loaded with Extra Crap Edition," offers a mix of featurettes and deleted scenes that range in value and technical quality. Notably missing is the audio commentary by the Wayan Brothers present in the DVD release, a choice that shifts focus towards the visual and making-of aspects of the film. Among the extras, "From the Ground Up: The Visual Effects of 'Little Man'" stands out by providing an in-depth look at the intricate process of melding CGI with live-action to transform Marlon Wayans into a three-foot character, using body doubles and digital effects ingeniously. Other offerings include "Big Comedy: The Making of 'Little Man'," which, despite the film's comedic nature, offers serious insights into the Wayans' creative workflow. The documentary "Linden's World" and a satirical piece, "Method or Madness," add personal and humorous dimensions to the extras. The inclusion of deleted scenes provides additional content, although they don't significantly diverge from the film's tone.

Extras included in this disc:

• Big Comedy: The Making of 'Little Man': A featurette discussing the creative process behind the characters and script.
• From the Ground Up: The Visual Effects of 'Little Man': An in-depth exploration of the film's exceptional visual effects.
• Method or Madness: A satirical featurette joking about Marlon Wayans being shrunk for the film.
• Linden's World: A closer look at Linden Porco's life and condition.
• Sixteen Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes not included in the theater release.
• 1080p Preview for Click: A High Definition preview for the movie "Click".

"Little Man" stands as a monument to the potential and pitfalls of modern cinema, encapsulating both the apex of digital artistry and the nadir of comedic storytelling. The plot, revolving around a diminutive criminal masquerading as a baby to retrieve a stolen diamond, promises an uproarious setup but ultimately delivers a sequence of gags that fall flat. Despite the valiant efforts of a cast that includes Marlon Wayans and Kerry Washington, the movie struggles to find its comedic footing, cycling through jokes that lack the punch needed to elicit genuine laughter from its audience.

At the heart of "Little Man" lies its groundbreaking special effects, which serve as the movie's sole redemption. The technological wizardry involved in shrinking Marlon Wayans to infant size, through a meticulous process of shooting with a stand-in and then digitally replacing the actor’s head, represents a significant leap forward in visual effects capability. This fusion of performance and technology recalls earlier cinematic milestones such as "Jurassic Park" and "Terminator 2," showcasing how far digital artistry has evolved. However, unlike these predecessors, "Little Man" fails to combine its technical achievements with a narrative that captivates or entertains, leaving viewers marveling at its technical prowess but feeling underwhelmed by its narrative execution.

Viewed through the lens of a critic, "Little Man" encapsulates the challenges of modern filmmaking. It is a showcase for digital effects that hint at the limitless possibilities for future movies. Yet, it also serves as a cautionary tale about neglecting the fundamentals of storytelling – character development, plot coherence, and genuine humor. As such, while "Little Man" might be worth watching for aficionados of special effects and those curious about the evolution of movie technology, it unfortunately exemplifies how even the most dazzling of visuals cannot compensate for a lackluster script and uninspired humor.

"Little Man," as presented on Blu-ray, illustrates a dichotomous viewing experience which emphasizes the technological achievements in visual effects over the narrative and comedic elements. The film itself is noted for its innovative special effects that stand as a testament to the capabilities of modern filmmaking. However, this success in visual innovation does not translate to a successful comedy, with the humor lacking in delivery and unable to elicit the intended laughter. The Blu-ray offers a commendable transfer quality, showcasing sharp visuals and an uncompressed PCM audio track that adequately supports the film's sound design. Nevertheless, the extras provided are sparse, notably missing insightful commentary tracks which could have added value by offering perspectives from the Wayans brothers or the visual effects team.

The consensus among reviewers indicates that "Little Man" falls short of the comedic mark set by previous endeavors from the Wayans brothers, with jokes that consistently miss their target, resulting in an unfunny viewing experience. While the technical presentation of the Blu-ray is solid, with a good looking video transfer and satisfactory audio quality, it is overshadowed by the film's inability to entertain as a comedy. This results in a product that, while visually appealing, lacks substantial content to make it a worthwhile purchase for general audiences.

In conclusion, while "Little Man" on Blu-ray showcases noteworthy visual effects and offers a technically sound presentation, its overall failure as a comedy overshadows these achievements. Limited supplemental material further diminishes its appeal. It remains a niche acquisition; best suited for completists or die-hard fans of the Wayans brothers' work. For the average viewer or those seeking quality humor, it is advised to approach this title with caution, as it offers little beyond its technical merits.