Anyone But You Blu-ray Review
Score: 69
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Despite predictable clichés, 'Anyone But You' stands out with vibrant performances by Powell and Sweeney, offering strong AV qualities on Blu-ray.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 87
This Blu-ray of 'Anyone But You' offers a stunning 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer, showcasing vibrant primaries, rich colors, and crisp detail. Despite absent HDR, it excels with deep black levels and lifelike skin tones across both day and night scenes, making full use of its Australian settings.
Audio: 80
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Anyone But You" delivers a competent, front-heavy mix with clear dialogue and subtle ambient effects that enhance the immersive experience without overextending its bounds. Though the bass is primarily active during musical moments, the overall audio presentation adequately supports the film's rom-com narrative.
Extra: 28
The Blu-ray extras for 'Anyone But You' offer a brief, underwhelming mix of standard featurettes, outtakes, and deleted scenes that total less than 30 minutes, with minor highlights like ASMR Pickup Lines providing occasional laughs amidst otherwise formulaic content.
Movie: 47
"Anyone But You" attempts to revive the romantic comedy with its blend of clichéd meet-cutes and predictable misunderstandings, anchored by Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell's decent chemistry. However, its over-reliance on recycled gags, forced physical comedy, and contrived scenarios undervalue its potential, leaving a low-impact, albeit commercially successful, mark in the genre.
Video: 87
The Blu-ray of "Anyone But You" offers an exceptional and dynamic 1080p video presentation, encoded using MPEG-4 AVC. The film capitalizes on its scenic Australian locations, capturing crystal blue waters, rugged terrain, and vibrant scenes with impressive clarity and detail. Primaries are vividly rendered, allowing colors to leap off the screen, while the warm, rich tones create a visually striking experience. Flesh tones are slightly on the saturated side, providing a tan and glam appearance to the cast, which suits the film's romantic comedy demeanor. The aspect ratio of 2.39:1 allows for a cinematic scope that enhances both indoor and outdoor settings effectively.
Depth and detail in this HD transfer are handled beautifully, showcasing crisp edge definition and fine textures without crossing into overly artificial sharpness. The 1.85:1 frame with excellent delineation further enhances the visual storytelling, capturing details of costumes and production design with precision. Nighttime scenes maintain a well-balanced brightness, although some daytime shots may seem slightly sunny, adherent to the film's original photography. Despite this, the integrity of the encode remains intact without significant issues like banding or artifacts.
Black levels are deep and inky, with clean whites that avoid blooming, ensuring a balanced contrast that complements the overall visual style. Although the absence of a simultaneous 4K UHD release is noted, the existing HD offering does not fall short. It utilizes the 4K DI data conservatively but effectively, suggesting a seamless experience that is free from noise or compression artifacts. This Blu-ray delivers a vibrant and clean presentation that is both visually stunning and free of distractions, making it a commendable choice for fans of modern romantic comedies seeking a standout video performance.
Audio: 80
The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Anyone But You," featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, offers a solid and reliable experience that aligns with the film's romantic comedy genre. While not groundbreaking, it adequately supports the film's settings and narrative. Dialogue remains crisp and naturally centered, ensuring clarity throughout. The surround sound channels contribute ambient effects, enhancing immersive scenes such as the bustling Australian locations. However, the mix is predominantly front-heavy, providing a stable but unremarkable depth.
The track shines in busier sequences, such as the vibrant wedding party on Sydney Harbor and the dynamic Australian landscapes. The integration of music cues into the surround channels aids in amplifying the film’s atmosphere, offering a sense of space without overpowering the experience. Low-frequency extension is mostly reserved for musical elements, providing assertive yet not overtly explosive support. Overall, this audio track is proficient in delivering an engaging viewing experience without exceeding expectations.
Though it might not challenge high-end audio systems, this DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix efficiently balances dialogue, ambient sounds, and music to support the film's narrative and playful tone. It’s described as predictable yet proficient, creating a serviceable audio environment that complements rather than detracts from the visual storytelling. While it doesn’t redefine surround sound, it remains a dependable aspect of the Blu-ray presentation.
Extras: 28
The Blu-ray of "Anyone But You" presents a largely uninspired collection of extras that seem more intent on promoting the film than offering substantial insight or entertainment. The bonus content, totaling under 30 minutes, includes typical behind-the-scenes featurettes and light-hearted segments. While the star-centric featurette "He Said She Said" provides some informative moments, other extras like "Outtakes & Bloopers" and "Deleted Scenes" add minimal value, lacking in humor or critical insight. Although offerings like the whimsical "ASMR Pickup Lines" and the cultural glimpse of "Aussie Snacks" provide brief amusement, overall, the extras fall into familiar territory common to romantic comedies without elevating the overall viewing experience.
Extras included in this disc:
- He Said She Said: Overview with tidbits from the stars.
- Everyone Down Under: Visual highlights of Australia.
- Outtakes & Bloopers: Behind-the-scenes fun moments.
- Deleted Scenes: Excluded auditions and content.
- ASMR Pickup Lines: Humorous exchange between actors.
- Aussie Snacks: A look at Australian cuisine staples.
Movie: 47
"Anyone But You" attempts to revive nostalgic romantic comedy vibes, aiming at the once-thriving genre. The film kickstarts with an idealized meet-cute at a coffee shop where Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) engage in a seemingly fairytale-like first date, sparking initial chemistry without succumbing to physical entanglements. Gluck's direction attempts to channel the essence of classic rom-coms with a modern twist, replete with convoluted plots and unexpected reunions at an Australian destination wedding. Therein lies a string of exaggerated misunderstandings and exaggerated comedic setups, mostly falling flat due to overdrawn scenes and recycled gags.
Despite potentially charming leads, the film struggles to transition beyond formulaic trappings and sitcom-level humor. Sweeney and Powell strive to deliver believable performances amidst an unoriginal narrative, with moments of witty repartees standing out as their peak contributions. However, the film frequently lapses into forced humor, such as an overly-extended scene involving Powell's character's nudity due to a spider scare. Though occasionally scoring laughs, the script fails to cohesively blend slapstick antics with heartfelt storytelling.
Commercial success despite critical missteps suggests "Anyone But You" found an audience appreciative of its familiar beats and light-hearted execution. The supporting cast, featuring talents like Dermot Mulroney and Michelle Hurd, contributes sporadic laughs, though depth remains sparse. The film’s alignment with Gluck's earlier work, like "Easy A," hints at potential comedy gold overshadowed by clichéd execution. Ultimately, despite its flaws, the film’s entertaining moments don't detract from its overall predictability, appealing more to audiences in search of traditional rom-com tropes than pioneering cinematic experiences.
Total: 69
"Anyone But You" attempts to bring a fresh take to the romantic comedy genre but delivers mixed results. The performances of Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney are engaging and bring a certain charm to an otherwise predictable storyline. Their spirited exchanges add some laughs, though the film lacks the sophistication of classic rom-coms. While the premise leans heavily on clichés, it's a light watch that might appeal to fans of modern rom-com fare. The Blu-ray release offers a solid audiovisual experience, showcasing the film's vibrant colors and lively sound with high-quality precision.
The technical merits of this Blu-ray are impressive, offering crisp visuals and dynamic sound that enhance the film's setting. Expect typical bonus features common in contemporary comedy releases, which may not provide deep insight but still hold some entertainment value for dedicated fans. Given its success at the box office, there is clearly an audience for this film, and collectors may find it worth adding to their library. Nonetheless, cautious viewers might consider a rental first, or await potential 4K release news that would do justice to its picturesque Australian locales.
In conclusion, while "Anyone But You" does not redefine romantic comedies, it offers an enjoyable experience for those looking for light entertainment. The movie shines in its humor and performances, despite being rooted in tried-and-true tropes. For serious romantics or completists of the genre, this Blu-ray is certainly worth examining, especially if you're able to snag it during a sale or if a 4K version is less appealing to you.
Blu-ray.com review by Kenneth BrownRead review here
Video: 90
Edge definition is as crisp as it gets -- to the point of almost looking too artificially sharp -- but fine textures, while exacting, are filmic enough to keep things more natural....
Audio: 90
Waves swell and crash, wind brushes the sand, busy gatherings wrap around the listener, and every last expedition and misadventure becomes notably more engaging....
Extras: 30
I'd almost rather have no special features than the dreary, short rom-com extras meant only to sell you on a movie you've already purchased....
Movie: 40
But even when they re-hook months after the initial hook, it's only to create more tension (fully by the screenwriters' hand), more miscues and more distance before inevitably crashing back together......
Total: 60
With a strong AV presentation, you could almost be forgiven for overlooking the trite, tired bonus content that offers little to no insight into the production....
Blu-ray Authority review by Matt Brighton and Matt MaloufRead review here
Video: 90
Colors leap off the screen, the flesh tones are a bit on the saturated side with everyone looking tan and glam....
Audio: 80
Not that this movie has too much to offer in the audio department, but it’s really nothing to get to excited about....
Extras: 30
He Said She Said – A brief, but somewhat informative featurette that gives us the overview as well as some tidbits with the stars....
Movie: 0
Ultimately, I can say that I was never bored during the film, but it sticks with its formulaic plotting much of the time as well as being just too darn silly to really resonate....
Total: 70
While neither terrible nor great, Anyone but You attempts to resurrect the rom-com genre, but with mixed results....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Fine lines have great clarity and the digital photography is nicely rendered without any compression issues or problems of that sort....
Audio: 80
The busier scenes like the fireworks or when the wedding party goes on a late-night cruise in Sydney Harbor are nice sequences in that regard....
Extras: 20
Nothing Earth-shatteringly amazing, a lot of the typical talking heads and gag tracks, but there are some decent nuggets worth looking at even if it barely totals 20-minutes of content....
Movie: 40
Unfortunately, that’s how the movie rolls: set up what could be a funny situation only to kill the bit with bad physical comedy and if that fails, weirdly placed nudity and bawdy humor and let the scene...
Total: 60
I laughed a bit and somewhere in it there is a good serviceable Romantic Comedy, but it falls when it tries too hard to be funny....
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 100
Depth: Starting with more basic looking depth, as the story takes Anyone But You to Australia, things get more interesting and richer....
Audio: 80
Surround Sound Presentation: Surrounds are mostly to help spread out the music cues and add some ambient sounds to the mix....
Extras: 40
...
Movie: 70
Of course, upon arrival, all the guests, save for a few who have ulterior motives, notice the pair have chemistry and their rudeness and traded barbs are more like the behaviors of people who are lying...
Total: 70
The humor and the performances bring it over the top and watching it is an excuse to smile for 102 minutes....
Director: Will Gluck
Actors: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp
PlotIn a sun-drenched vacation hotspot, two longtime frenemies find themselves caught in a web of both conflict and chemistry. The story revolves around two competitive college classmates who reunite for the tropical wedding of a mutual friend. Their initial intention is to undermine each other at every turn, making for a comedic rivalry filled with barbed exchanges and elaborate pranks. With each new encounter, they inadvertently become the talk of the wedding festivities, dominating conversations with their antics. Meanwhile, their friends urge them to set aside their differences and call a truce for the sake of wedding harmony. However, mounting pressures from the wedding party lead them to unexpectedly join forces, only to discover an uncanny synergy when they work together.
As they fake civility for the sake of their friends and the approaching nuptials, a deeper connection simmering beneath their animosity begins to surface. While posing as a couple to deflect probing questions from nosy relatives, they begin to question their assumptions about each other and themselves. Their collaboration steadily dissolves long-held grudges, leaving room for tentative friendship and perhaps something more. Yet, revelations threaten to unravel their fragile alliance, prompting both to confront buried insecurities and learn what truly matters. Navigating through misunderstandings, heartfelt confessions, and moments of vulnerability, they must decide whether to stick to old patterns or embrace a new beginning. The ultimate choice will forge their paths—and possibly rewrite destinies—amidst the backdrop of love, laughter, and a whirlwind wedding weekend.
Writers: Ilana Wolpert, Will Gluck
Release Date: 22 Dec 2023
Runtime: 103 min
Rating: R
Country: Australia, United States
Language: English