The Wackness Blu-ray Review
Score: 63
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
Despite a faithful video transfer and warm True-HD audio, 'The Wackness' may only resonate with a niche audience, lacking substantial extras to merit purchase.
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Disc Release Date
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 63
The 1080p AVC-encoded transfer of 'The Wackness' faithfully recreates the theatrical experience with a deliberate, but often drab, color palette and a noticeable grain structure that supports its artistic intent; however, it lacks vibrancy and depth, resulting in some soft and dark scenes that diminish detail.
Audio: 68
The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track of 'The Wackness' delivers clear, dialogue-focused audio with robust hip-hop bass, subtly utilizing ambient street and weather effects without creating a multi-channel extravaganza. The music mix stands out, especially for fans of classic rap.
Extra: 56
The Wackness' Blu-ray extras, mostly in 480p, offer minimal value beyond a conversational commentary with technical insights by Levine and Peck. Featurettes like 'Time in a Bottle' and 'Keeping it Real' provide superficial glimpses into production, while deleted scenes and 'Luke Shapiro's Dope Show' add little substance. High-def trailers are the only exception.
Movie: 60
The Wackness offers a nostalgic trip to 1994 New York with a commendable audio performance, highlighted by a dynamic 5.1 Dolby TrueHD mix and a stellar hip-hop soundtrack. Despite Ben Kingsley's standout performance, the film's immature script and sluggish pacing limit its appeal to fans of '90s culture and coming-of-age dramas.
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Video: 63
"The Wackness," presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 at 1080p using the MPEG-4/AVC codec, provides a mixed visual experience. The color palette is intentionally leached to reflect the characters' melancholia, resulting in an overall drab and desaturated appearance. This stylistic choice contributes to an image lacking in vibrancy, with shadowy scenes particularly losing detail, especially noticeable in Dr. Squires' office. The cinematography, while artistically inclined, introduces a significant amount of grain due to the frequent use of handheld cameras and the so-called 'documentary' style. While this grain can enhance the film's atmosphere, it often intrudes on the finer details and sometimes acquires a distracting digital sheen.
Despite these drawbacks, the Blu-ray's technical performance is solid. The encoding experiences no issues with noise or blocking, maintaining a high fidelity to the director's intent. Occasionally, the soft focus and hazy filters used in the film add a foggy, dreamy quality to certain scenes, but these are inherent to the original cinematographic choices rather than transfer defects. Scenes illuminated by single light sources or low-watt lamps may be dark but still retain well-defined edges, preserving the film’s gritty, urban aesthetic. Outdoor shots are rare gems, with sufficient detail and use of light that showcase the potential for depth and balance in the 2.35:1 framing by cinematographer Petra Korner.
In summary, while "The Wackness" may not offer the dazzling visuals one might expect from a modern Blu-ray release, it successfully recreates its theatrical presentation. The muted colors, substantial grain, and moody lighting choices are reflective of the director's gritty urban vision and are effectively preserved in this transfer. However, for those seeking vibrant and pristine image quality from their Blu-ray collection, there are certainly more visually impressive options available.
Audio: 68
The audio presentation of the Blu-Ray edition of "The Wackness" is anchored by its Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track, delivering a well-balanced experience that adopts a pragmatic approach suitable for this dialogue-driven film. The dialogue remains crystal clear and primarily focused in the center channel, occasionally panning to the left or right to mirror on-screen movements. This clarity ensures that viewers are never left straining to understand the actors, even during scenes featuring the more subdued, stoner-like delivery of some characters.
The soundtrack, a compilation from the golden age of hip hop, is integrated seamlessly into the film. It's here where the audio track shows its true potency, with muscular bass lines that remain tight and controlled, resonating deeply without overwhelming the midrange or treble. Tracks from artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Method Man, and Nas make full use of the LFE channel, adding a palpable depth that enriches the viewing experience without overshadowing the plot.
While the surround sound usage is relatively reserved, confined mostly to ambient noises from the streets of New York or passing trains, it complements the film's narrative focus. The French 5.1 TrueHD track offers an alternative for non-English speakers but maintains the same level of quality. Overall, this audio mix may not be a multi-channel tour de force, but it undoubtedly excels where it counts - delivering clear dialogue and a stellar musical experience that audiophiles and hip hop enthusiasts alike will appreciate.
Extra: 56
The extras on the Blu-ray disc of "The Wackness" offer a mixed bag in terms of content and presentation. From engaging commentary to featurettes that vary in depth, these special features provide a glimpse behind the scenes. The highlight is the conversational audio commentary by Director Jonathan Levine and actor Josh Peck, filled with anecdotes and technical tidbits. However, most featurettes are in standard definition, which feels dated. "Time in a Bottle" and "Luke Shapiro's Dope Show" add contextual and nostalgic value but may not offer substantial insights. Deleted scenes and featurettes like "Keeping it Real" shed light on minor production aspects but often feel superficial. Overall, while providing some interesting nuggets, the extras could benefit from higher production value and more detailed exploration of the film's creative process.
Extras included in this disc:
Audio Commentary: Levine and Peck share anecdotes and technical details.
Keeping it Real: A Day in the Life of Writer/Director Jonathan Levine: Follows Levine promoting the film.
Time in a Bottle: Behind the Scenes of The Wackness: Cast and crew discuss production choices.
Luke Shapiro's Dope Show: A spoof cable show featuring Josh Peck’s character.
Deleted Scenes: Four extra scenes cut from the final film.
Theatrical Trailers: Trailers for "The Wackness" and other Sony titles.
Previews: High definition promos for various films.
BD-Live: Online extras, though often disappointing.
Movie: 60
"The Wackness" is an evocative blend of coming-of-age and missed opportunities narratives set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City in the summer of 1994. Jonathan Levine’s utilization of a period setting enhances both the visual and thematic elements of the film. The plot centers on high school graduate Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck), a drug dealer who pays for therapy sessions with dime-bags of marijuana to Dr. Jeffrey Squires (Sir Ben Kingsley), a mid-life crisis-ridden psychiatrist. Kingsley excels, bringing a comic, yet profoundly tragic depth to his character. Although the film ambitiously explores the complexities of young adulthood and mid-life disillusionment, its execution frequently veers between successful poignancy and sophomoric dialogue.
The film's technical aspects are noteworthy. The Blu-ray release showcases an exceptional 5.1 Dolby TrueHD audio mix that immerses viewers in the era’s pulsating hip-hop culture. The soundtrack, featuring iconic tracks from artists like The Notorious B.I.G., A Tribe Called Quest, and Wu-Tang Clan, acts as an auditory time capsule that significantly enriches the narrative's nostalgic tone. Olivia Thirlby also stands out as Stephanie, Dr. Squires' stepdaughter and Luke’s love interest, providing a compelling performance despite a script that sometimes undermines its characters' potential.
Levine's direction captures New York's bustling essence, juxtaposing it effectively with the characters' internal struggles. Luke’s retreat into drugs, sessions with Squires, and unrequited affection towards Stephanie drive the film forward, albeit at a sluggish pace. While Kingsley's nuanced performance holds much of the film together, the sophomoric script and uneven pacing detract from its overall impact. Despite its imperfections, "The Wackness" offers substantial appeal for fans of New York-centric films, 90s hip-hop enthusiasts, and those who enjoy exploring themes of youthful angst and mid-life crises.
Total: 63
"The Wackness" on Blu-ray serves as a sentimental journey for those who grew up in the mid-90s, brimming with nostalgic hip-hop culture and grunge references. The film's narrative, while intended to be a quirky and poignant coming-of-age story, is marked by uneven dialog and an oscillating tone that may not resonate universally. However, the chemistry between Sir Ben Kingsley and Josh Peck is compelling and elevates the film significantly. The Blu-ray release faithfully preserves the original theatrical experience with a stylistically sound video transfer and a warm, immersive True-HD audio mix, albeit with some minor visual flatness that detracts intermittently.
Despite these technical merits, the extras on this set are disappointingly sparse, lacking the depth that dedicated fans might hope for in a home release. While the audio is acceptable and supports the film's atmosphere adequately, it is ultimately the absence of substantial supplementary content that weakens the package's overall appeal. The movie's portrayal of relationships and its endorsement of certain lifestyles may also not sit well with all viewers, particularly those outside its niche demographic.
In conclusion, "The Wackness" is a polarizing film that will likely enchant those with a predilection for 90s hip-hop culture and the cultural touchstones of that era. For others, though it may only marginally hold their interest due to its narrative flaws, it can still deliver an enjoyable viewing experience. Whether you choose to buy or rent this Blu-ray will hinge on your personal connection to the era and content. If you can relate to or appreciate its thematic essence, the purchase is recommended; otherwise, a rental might be more appropriate to gauge your interest.
avforums review by AVForumsRead review here
Video: 70
It seems to be a pretty much washed out affair, with no sparkle or pop, added to that at times it's shot in the so called 'documentary' style with hand held cameras, the result though is quite a lot of...
Audio: 70
The audio track more than covers the bases it needs to, not a full on assault but subtle and defined....
Extras: 50
The commentary is good enough, flowing and detailed but the rest of the extras included on this disc really left me wanting a little....
Movie: 70
BusinessandThe Breakfast Club, but what Levine shows us here is that no matter your aspirations as a young adult they may all fall by the wayside as you grow a little older....
Total: 70
If you like a little hip hop or in fact were a teenager when this was set, 1994, then go for it as you will relate to it a little more....
Blu-ray.com review by Greg MaltzRead review here
Video: 60
I usually enjoy these nuances of the actual film employed, but here it takes on a digital sheen that seems to stand out from the drab color tones of the movie, and in some scenes is actually a distraction--I've...
Audio: 90
The dialog and other sounds from the streets and the beach have accurate timbral cues and good resolution....
Extras: 60
Theatrical Trailers--Rounding out the bonus material is seven minutes worth of trailers, not just for the main attraction but for Standard Operating Procedure, Redbelt and The Fall....
Movie: 40
Another element that The Wackness has going for it is the casting of Sir Ben Kingsley, one of the most storied actors to come out of the UK, as pill-popping, reefer-toking Dr. Jeffrey Squires....
Total: 60
Though there are few redeeming qualities of The Wackness that make it worth seeing, it will have a niche audience, but maybe that audience's main demographic is Blu-ray adopters....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
At other times it seems the camera filters added a hazy, soft and foggy look to scenes, but that's a quality inherent in the original film and not a product of this video transfer....
Audio: 60
The bumping hip-hop soundtrack fades in and out of the film like a silent character, walking beside but not overpowering or drawing unnecessary attention to itself....
Extras: 40
Featurette: "Deleted Scenes" (SD, 5 minutes) - Four extra scenes show Luke working in his cap and gown, an extended take of the Squires' vacation, Stephanie having a heart-to-heart with Squires, and another...
Movie: 60
Peck's Shapiro, with his doped-out quick delivery of lines, is ever appealing as a character playing out the fantasies of a young man who still has much of the inner child in him....
Total: 60
It's strange to see my youth ripe and ready to be cherry-picked for a period piece, yet out of these cultural touchstones comes a fresh take on the otherwise formulaic coming of age film....
Director: Jonathan Levine
Actors: Josh Peck, Ben Kingsley, Olivia Thirlby
PlotIn the sweltering summer of mid-1990s New York City, Luke Shapiro, a socially awkward teenage drug dealer, navigates the precarious transition from high school to adulthood. Struggling with the fallout of his parents' financial troubles and the general turmoil of adolescence, Luke seeks solace in his music and the marijuana he sells to his peers. His therapist, Dr. Jeffrey Squires, who struggles with his own personal crises, becomes an unconventional friend. In exchange for weed, Dr. Squires provides Luke with life advice, resulting in an unusual yet dynamic friendship.
Luke’s life takes a turn when he develops romantic feelings for Dr. Squires’ stepdaughter, Stephanie. As he spends more time with her, he begins to experience the confusing highs and lows of young love. Conflicted between following his burgeoning feelings and grappling with his mature responsibilities, Luke’s journey propels him through a series of emotional self-discoveries. Through it all, the backdrop of a vibrant yet gritty NYC provides a pulse to Luke's transformative summer, marking an indelible period of growth and realization as he teeters on the brink of adulthood.
Writers: Jonathan Levine
Release Date: 01 Aug 2008
Runtime: 99 min
Rating: R
Country: United Kingdom, United States
Language: English