I Feel Pretty Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "I Feel Pretty" on Blu-ray is commendable and showcases an exemplary digital capture. The vibrant color palette, highlighted by the warm grading and honey-toned hues, infuses the film with a glossy yet authentic aesthetic. Particularly, the LeClaire office scenes burst with vivacity through their deep reds, golden accents, and modern fixtures. The outdoor scenes resonate with clarity, notably the picnic sequence which stands out as one of the sharpest scenes within the film. Details are finely rendered, from intimate stitching on clothing to the textures of New York City's bustling streets. The black levels are commendably solid, maintaining ample shadow detail with only occasional crush. The contrast, while sometimes uneven, generally enhances the vibrancy of the colors and bright elements without compromising fidelity.

Despite some varied opinions on fine details, the general resolution is strong, revealing textural nuances such as skin pores and city landscape intricacies. The encoding is handled with precision, leveraging the MPEG-4 AVC format at a 1080p resolution framed in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio on a BD-50 disc, ensuring sharpness and clarity throughout. The natural skin tones remain consistent and lifelike across various lighting conditions. Camera movements evoke a cinematic fluidity with no distortion issues, contributing to a decent sense of depth between foreground and background elements. Black levels are deep and suitably saturated, maintaining good detail in darkened scenes without succumbing to crush artifacts. The film enjoys a broad spectrum of colors, from vividly rendered wardrobes to more subtle hues in darker, realistic environments. Overall, "I Feel Pretty" delivers a first-rate Blu-ray presentation that highlights its visual strengths impressively.

"I Feel Pretty" features an unexpectedly robust audio presentation through its 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. The soundtrack is primarily front-heavy, with dialogue and banter taking center stage across the front three channels, ensuring clear and articulate delivery. Despite the minimal need for extensive surround sound in this comedy, the mix utilizes side and rear channels effectively, particularly during notable scenes like Renee's thunderous wish into the fountain and the vibrant bikini contest. Musical fidelity stands out with impressive width and depth, contributing to a dynamic acoustic environment. Bass response is moderate but consistent, sufficiently supporting the low end throughout the film without overpowering other elements.

The DTS-HD MA soundtrack excels in creating a balanced and immersive soundstage. The mix places environmental cues and vocal nuances accurately within the acoustic space, enhancing the film’s overall atmosphere. Key moments leverage the 7.1 format to distinguish themselves from typical 5.1 presentations; for example, thunder rolls seamlessly across the back channels, and crowd applause envelops the listener with clarity and precision in pivotal scenes. Light city sounds and office ambiance add to the dynamism by softly inserting into the stage where needed. Though there are instances where dialogue or music volume dips slightly, the overall auditory experience remains engaging and well-rounded.

The Blu-ray release of "I Feel Pretty" provides a modest but engaging array of extras that complement the main feature. The bonus content includes standard offerings such as deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a brief featurette titled "Being Pretty." Notably, these extras are presented in high-definition 1080p, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience. The additional inclusion of a DVD and an iTunes digital copy code broadens the accessibility for viewers, with the caveat that digital copy compatibility may vary. The featurette offers a quick yet insightful glimpse of the cast and crew sharing their thoughts on what makes them feel pretty, adding a personal touch to the overall package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Includes Fortune Cookie, Work Friends, Ice Cream Man, Post Lilly Dinner, Ticket Home, and Magical Bike.
• Gag Reel: Entertaining bloopers from the set.
• Being Pretty: Cast and crew discuss what makes them feel pretty.

"I Feel Pretty," starring Amy Schumer, is a comedic exploration of body image and self-perception, treading familiar territory with some fresh twists. Directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, the film centers around Renee Bennett, played by Schumer, a woman struggling with insecurities about her appearance. Following a fateful fall in a spinning class, Renee wakes up believing she has undergone a dramatic physical transformation, despite no actual changes. This newfound confidence propels her to make bold moves in her career and personal life, culminating in her entry into the elite world of the Lily LeClaire cosmetics company and the arms of a supportive boyfriend, Ethan (Rory Scovel). The juxtaposition of Renee's unchanged appearance and her altered self-image provides a fertile ground for comedic moments, though the humor often leans heavily on body-shaming gags.

The film navigates through Renee's extremes—from intense self-doubt to exuberant self-belief—highlighting the power of perception and confidence. The narrative is predictable, adhering closely to genre conventions without venturing into risky or innovative territory. Schumer's performance is magnetic, oscillating between vulnerability and over-the-top confidence. The chemistry between Renee and Ethan injects genuine warmth into the film, though interactions outside this central duo often fall flat. Michelle Williams stands out with her portrayal of Avery LeClaire, delivering a comedic performance that is both nuanced and memorable, bolstered by her character's exaggerated voice and mannerisms.

While "I Feel Pretty" addresses important themes such as self-acceptance and societal standards of beauty, it occasionally falters under the weight of its cliches and uneven humor. Nonetheless, it carries an overall positive message about self-confidence and perception, offering viewers both laughter and a potential reevaluation of their own self-image. Despite its shortcomings, the film’s heart is in the right place, aiming to challenge preconceived notions about beauty and encourage audience members to embrace their true selves.

"I Feel Pretty" is directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, featuring Amy Schumer, Rory Scovel, and Michelle Williams. The plot delivers an important message about positive body image but suffers from clichéd jokes and predictability — a common issue in Amy Schumer-led films. Despite these shortcomings, the movie managed to gross nearly $90 million on a $32 million budget, indicating a notable audience appeal.

The Blu-ray version of "I Feel Pretty," released by Universal, offers excellent visual and audio quality. Presented in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio with English DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio, the technical aspects are impressive, ensuring a captivating viewing experience. Subtitles are available in English SDH and Spanish. However, the extras are limited to a handful of deleted scenes, which may disappoint those looking for more in-depth content.

Despite its formulaic approach and sometimes sluggish pacing, "I Feel Pretty" carries its spirited, well-meaning core message effectively. The supporting cast, including Aidy Bryant and Busy Philipps, delivers commendable performances. The Blu-ray’s strong technical presentation makes it a worthwhile addition for Schumer fans, but the lack of substantial extras suggests that those less enthusiastic about her work might be better off skipping this release.

Conclusion: "I Feel Pretty" isn’t a horrible movie, but it’s a predictable line of Amy Schumer starring films that just don’t seem to hit the mark. While the film’s message about positive body image is admirable, it is somewhat overshadowed by uninspired humor. Nevertheless, the Blu-ray's exceptional picture and sound quality make it an appealing choice for fans. For others, especially those who are not invested in Schumer's work, it might be best to skip it.