Real Men Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "Real Men" excels in retaining a natural, filmic quality that suits its near 30-year heritage. While sharpness isn't a top priority, the film's softer cinematography is handled well, preserving adequate levels of detail in textures, facial particulars, and set decorations. Colors are generally muted but exhibit vividness during outlandish visual segments, especially with elements such as the C.I.A. clowns and rural greenery. Grain is consistently modest, contributing to the film's authentic feel, and delineation remains steady with minimal loss during darker scenes. While there are occasional speckles and debris, they are not overly distracting.

Despite some flaws, the transfer holds up decently against other catalog titles of its age. Black levels are commendable, providing a decent depth, and color replication is overall solid. However, a noticeable drawback is the print's wear and tear. There is significant speckling throughout, accompanied by dirty splotches and sporadic appearances of film hairs. Additionally, there are a few severe vertical scratches, though these are mostly hidden during darker moments. Flesh tones remain relatively stable but can appear overly pink at times. Overall, while this Blu-ray presentation of "Real Men" has its imperfections, it successfully captures the film's original visual intent, offering an authentic cinematic experience.

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA audio presentation for "Real Men" is frankly underwhelming. Dialogue clarity is maintained throughout, but the overall delivery lacks vibrance, resulting in a flat auditory experience that doesn't fully capitalize on the comedic dynamics of the film. Hiss is intermittently present, though without any significant drop-offs or age-related anomalies. The sound mix conveys the basic atmospheric noise, but there's an evident lifelessness that detracts from immersion. Scores, while accurately rendered, periodically overshadow dialogue and dramatics, failing to balance the mix optimally.

Moreover, there’s a distinct artificiality to the audio, stemming from the evidently looped post-production dubbing. This lack of organic sound recording gives scenes a dubbed tone, making banter between characters feel detached rather than cohesive. Environmental sounds such as gunfire, footsteps, and explosions suffer from a tinny quality. The ambiance lacks depth and genuineness, which significantly impacts the viewing experience negatively. Altogether, the audio mix fails to deliver an immersive or dynamic sonic landscape that complements the visual content effectively.

The Blu-Ray release of "Real Men" includes a solid collection of extras that complement the main feature exceptionally well. The theatrical trailer provides a concise glimpse into the film’s unique blend of humor and action, even if some may find it less appealing. The extras enhance the viewing experience by offering both nostalgia and insightful content for fans and newcomers alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Theatrical Trailer: Provides a concise glimpse into the film's humor and action.

"Real Men," a 1987 buddy comedy, features James Belushi and John Ritter in a zany narrative where opposites collide. Directed by Dennis Feldman, the film centers on a mismatched duo: CIA agent Nick Pirandello (Belushi), and Bob Wilson (Ritter), an average office worker who looks strikingly similar to a recently deceased agent critical for a top-secret mission. The pair must travel across the country to engage in negotiations with aliens who are poised to either save or destroy humanity. Along the way, they encounter an array of bizarre characters and situations, including Russian assassins and comic misadventures, attempting to balance action with slapstick humor. Despite the talents of Belushi and Ritter, "Real Men" stumbles through its plot, leaving a trail of inconsistencies and incoherent storylines.

Technically, the film is hampered by poor spatial relationships and choppy editing, often feeling as if it was reconstructed in the editing room without a coherent vision. Feldman’s attempt at blending slapstick comedy with wild scenarios results in a narrative that drags rather than entertains. Ritter and Belushi occasionally spark moments of humor, such as an improvised nail gun scene by Nick, but these are few and far between. The film's over-reliance on ludicrous plot points—like a C.I.A. encounter with clowns in an alley or a dominatrix subplot—only adds to the sense of randomness that pervades the entire experience.

"Real Men" ultimately feels like a misfire, struggling to find its footing amidst a cluttered narrative and forced comedic beats. While its premise had potential, the execution falls flat, trapping two comedically skilled actors in roles that never fully develop beyond caricatures. The blend of unpolished comedy, half-baked scenarios, and muddled storytelling renders "Real Men" an awkward and disjointed effort in buddy comedy filmmaking.

"Real Men" on Blu-ray offers a mixed experience that ultimately falls short of its potential. The film, featuring an impressive and quirky concept interweaving absurd comedy with elements of science fiction, struggles to maintain coherence and comedic momentum throughout its brief 90-minute runtime. Directed by Dennis Feldman, it showcases the tale of an unlikely duo, Nick and Bob, embarking on a haphazard road trip filled with misadventures and peculiar sci-fi touches. Unfortunately, the film's execution feels fragmented, as if vital narrative connections were lost during post-production, resulting in a disjointed experience.

Technical aspects of the Blu-ray release reflect moderate effort; the video transfer is decent but not remarkable, preserving the film's visual style without significant enhancements. The audio mix is serviceable yet lacks the dynamism that could have accentuated the film’s more lively sequences. Significant contributions include an ambitious score by Miles Goodman, imbued with Spielbergian influences, that occasionally promises to elevate the material but often overextends itself in the absence of substantial comedic payoff. Extras on the Blu-ray are minimal, offering only a trailer, which underscores an overall lack of supplementary content.

In conclusion, while "Real Men" arrives with a sufficient level of talent and some entertaining moments, it ultimately feels like an unfinished product marooned between slapstick humor and unclear sci-fi elements. Despite its interesting premise and sporadic flashes of creativity, it’s a flawed execution that might only appeal to steadfast fans of offbeat 80s cinema. This Blu-ray release is best suited for those who have a particular fondness for the quirky nostalgia or are dedicated collectors looking to complete their library.