The Wackness Blu-ray Review

"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.

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.

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.

"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.

"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.