The Change-Up Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Change-Up" presents an exceptional video transfer that is technically polished and visually engaging. The 1080p/VC-1 encoded video transfer faithfully renders Eric Alan Edwards' playful late summer palette with deeply saturated colors, strong contrast, and high-level details. Skintones, though occasionally oversaturated, still retain a pleasing naturalism. Black levels are impressively deep, creating compelling visual perspectives in low lighting and shadows, providing an admirable three-dimensional acuity. Edge definition is clean and refined, and there is an absence of grain, which avoids the pitfalls of hyper-sharpening that can plague many presentations.

The image clarity accentuates fine textures remarkably well. Details such as baby powder on faces, rogue hairs, and facial stubble are all crisply displayed, lending an impressive realism to even minute elements. Olivia Wilde's perfect complexion is particularly noteworthy, though it simultaneously highlights the less convincing elements of the CGI work. Despite this slight drawback, the imagery remains dynamic, boldly colorful, and perfectly suited for the source material.

Black levels are so rich that they seamlessly blend with the widescreen presentation's borders during night shots, while shadows reveal as much detail as well-lit areas. The rainbow palette in vibrant scenes is saturated without oversaturation, rendering consistent fleshtones. Moreover, the video maintains excellent artifact management with a complete absence of banding, noise, or smearing. This intricate balance of clarity, color saturation, and contrast ensures that "The Change-Up" on Blu-ray delivers a superior viewing experience that will satisfy technical purists and casual viewers alike.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "The Change-Up" offers a compelling auditory experience that aligns with the expectations of a modern comedy. This lossless mix provides good dynamic range and rich detail, enabling the discerning listener to detect subtle background sounds within an immersive acoustic environment. Dialogue is clear and centered, ensuring complete intelligibility amidst the banter of Mitch and Dave. Directional effects add a welcome sense of movement, while the low-frequency effects, though not intense, effectively support the comedic elements without overpowering the soundstage. Even during more chaotic scenes, like a middle-of-the-night baby mishap, the soundtrack maintains enough punch to keep the audience engaged.

The rear channels, although not extensively utilized, come alive during pivotal scenes, such as the busy ambiance of a Braves game or the captivating sound of city lights sequentially shutting off. The music score is well-mixed with vocal and effects dynamics, where nothing feels lost or out of place. The symphonic suite in the later parts of the film, especially during the Coldplay montage, is presented with an epic resonance that stands out both in composition and audio quality. The pitter-patter of rain and quiet whispers in legal chatter add a layer of realism that draws viewers into the scene.

Overall, while the track does not constantly use the rear speakers due to the nature of a dialogue-driven comedy, it does employ them effectively when required. The technical prowess here makes "The Change-Up" an enjoyable auditory experience that, while not frequently demo-worthy, hits all the right notes for fans of the film.

The Blu-ray "Extras" section of "The Change-Up" offers a varied mix of entertainment and informative features. The highlight is the feature commentary by director David Dobkin, albeit, it could've been more engaging with contributions from leads Bateman and Reynolds. The behind-the-scenes look in "Time for a Change" provides promotional insights into the film's conception, while "Family Matters" humorously breaks down the making of key baby-related scenes with a nod to their R-rated humor. Notably, the "Fist Fight" deleted scene offers an alternate, albeit lengthy, take on the film's climax. While the gag reel adds some light-hearted moments, it's largely composed of line flubs rather than laugh-out-loud moments. Additional technological features like D-Box Motion Code, pocket BLU, and BD-Live functionality enhance viewer engagement.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted scene - Fist Fight: An alternate ending involving a heated argument.
• Gag Reel: Bloopers primarily showing actors fumbling lines.
• Time for a Change: A promo-like behind-the-scenes featurette.
• Family Matter: A look at the visual effects behind key scenes.
• Feature Commentary with Director David Dobkin: In-depth discussion of the film.
• My Scenes Bookmark feature: Bookmark favorite scenes.
• D-Box Motion Code enabled: Additional viewing experience with motion-controlled seating.
• pocket BLU: Mobile device integration for enhanced viewing options.
• BD-Live: Online content access.
• Bonus DVD of The Change-Up: Additional format for viewing.
• Digital Copy of The Change-Up: Enables digital viewing on various devices.

"The Change-Up," a body-swap comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman, operates within a familiar narrative framework yet fails to deliver on its promises. Dave (Bateman) and Mitch (Reynolds), lifelong friends with diametrically opposed lifestyles, find themselves in each other’s bodies after a drunken wish made at a magic fountain. Bateman’s portrayal of an uptight, overworked lawyer contrasts sharply with Reynolds' depiction of a carefree, underachieving actor, creating ripe potential for comedic mishaps which, unfortunately, delivers more cringe than laughs.

The script, penned by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore of "The Hangover" fame, underwhelms with formulaic and oftentimes juvenile humor that rarely hits its mark. Directed by David Dobkin, who previously brought us "Wedding Crashers," the film's tonality wavers between gross-out gags and forced sentimentality. The first half is replete with over-the-top, crude humor—a projectile diarrhea scene early on epitomizes the film’s reliance on shock value over wit. Yet, just when the film begins to gain a semblance of heart—thanks largely to Leslie Mann's nuanced performance as Dave's wife—the shift feels too jarring to wholly redeem its earlier flaws.

By the midpoint, "The Change-Up" achieves some moments of emotional resonance, particularly through scenes involving Mann and Olivia Wilde. These interactions inject life into an otherwise flat storyline, providing brief reprieves from the relentless barrage of farcical scenarios. Even so, the performances from Reynolds and Bateman are uneven; while Bateman's take on Reynolds' character is delightfully irreverent at times, both actors seem trapped by a script that neither fully leverages their comedic strengths nor allows for any genuine character development.

Overall, "The Change-Up" suffers from an identity crisis, unable to reconcile its intentions as both a heartfelt comedy and a raunchy romp. Despite flashes of charm and solid supporting performances, it struggles to elevate beyond the mediocrity of its overdone premise.

"The Change-Up" on Blu-ray delivers an impressive technical presentation that surpasses the film's comedic delivery. Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds, both known for their comedic chops, unfortunately find themselves bogged down by an overreliance on lowest-common-denominator humor. The narrative struggles in the first half but somewhat regains composure in the latter half. Despite the film's shortcomings, the Blu-ray's video transfer is exceptional, showcasing sharp detail and vibrant colors that bring the visuals to life. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track faithfully reproduces the soundtrack, providing a rich and immersive audio experience.

The Blu-ray version includes a handful of supplements that complement the main feature well. Although they are not extensive, they offer some added value for fans. The quality of these extras aligns with the high technical standards set by the Blu-ray's audio and visual components, ensuring that viewers receive a balanced package overall. The interface and menu navigation are intuitive, allowing users to easily access and enjoy the additional content without any hurdles.

Conclusively, "The Change-Up" as a film might not resonate with everyone due to its uneven comedic tone. Nonetheless, this Blu-ray edition is worth considering for rental, especially for those who appreciate Bateman and Reynolds or are enthusiastic about high-fidelity home media presentations. The blend of excellent picture quality, robust audio, and supplementary materials provides a viewing experience that outweighs the film’s narrative flaws.