Ride Along Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Ride Along" presents an outstanding 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer that exemplifies high definition quality. Shot digitally on Red Epic cameras, the film leverages the pristine capabilities of HD to deliver exceptional visual clarity. Close-ups are particularly noteworthy, revealing intricate details in facial features and texture, enhancing the overall realism of the scenes. Mid-level camera pans display remarkable depth and dimension, contributing to a visually stimulating experience. The color palette is well-balanced, with lifelike and expertly delineated skintones, alongside vibrant primaries and secondary hues that stand out vividly. The consistently applied contrast further enlivens the imagery, making whites pop without sacrificing detail.

Black levels are equally impressive, presenting strong gradation and dynamic range that significantly enhances scenes set in low-light conditions or dark environments. The shadow delineation remains robust, with no evidence of crush, allowing for detailed visibility even in uneven lighting. Daylight scenes benefit from naturally saturated colors, and the overall image remains crisp and finely textured throughout. The transfer is free from any defects such as softness, noise, artifacting, banding, aliasing, or ringing, ensuring a pristine and clean presentation. This meticulous encoding makes "Ride Along" a reference quality Blu-ray that stands out within its genre, capturing the practical Atlanta locations and vibrant action with precision. Videophiles will find much to admire in this exceptionally executed visual experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 presentation of "Ride Along" on Blu-ray captures the balance between dynamic action scenes and character-driven dialogue with professional finesse. The mix leans towards a front-oriented perspective, emphasizing sharp, easily discernible dialogue, and well-defined channel separation. Ambient effects and soundscapes are distinctly conveyed, creating an engagingly immersive experience even if much of the film centers around conversations while driving through Atlanta. When needed, the mix delivers tangible low frequencies and robust dynamics, ensuring action sequences and musical interludes resonate powerfully.

The soundtrack's moments of musical vigor inject significant low-end energy, revitalizing the auditory experience with substantial 'oomph.' Despite the song-driven spikes in volume, balance remains mostly consistent, with transitions from dialogue to explosive sequences handled seamlessly. Directionality is reliable, with smooth pans and an appreciable ambient presence. While not overwhelmingly immersive in quieter scenes, the mix proficiently envelops the listener during more impactful moments, enhancing the movie's action-comedy tone. Supplementary tracks include Spanish 5.1 DTS and Descriptive Video Service tracks, further broadening accessibility with subtitles in English SDH, Spanish, and French.

The Blu-ray release of "Ride Along" offers an expansive and engaging set of extras that delve into both the creative process and the on-set dynamics of the film. Each featurette provides a detailed behind-the-scenes look, ensuring viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the movie's production. The commentary by Director Tim Story is particularly noteworthy, delivering an enthusiastic and insightful overview of the filmmaking process, loaded with entertaining anecdotes. Kevin Hart and Ice Cube’s chemistry shines throughout multiple extras, highlighting their on-screen collaboration and off-script moments. The disc also includes technical breakdowns of specific scenes and stunt work, providing a comprehensive exploration of the film's key action sequences and comedic elements.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Ending: A minor variation from the original conclusion.
• Deleted Scenes: Six additional scenes not included in the final cut.
• Alternate Take: Improv takes that struggled with the PG-13 rating.
• Kev & Cube’s Wild Ride: Insight into Hart and Ice Cube’s on-set chemistry.
• An Explosive Ride: Behind-the-scenes look at stunts and action sequences.
• You Gonna Learn Today: Compilation of hilarious off-script moments.
• Anatomy of the Big Blast: Preparation for the movie’s most explosive sequence.
• Gag Reel: Amusing outtakes and flubbed lines.
• It Was a Good Day: On The Set Of Ride Along: Backstage view of the cast and crew’s experience.
• Atlanta – The Character: Exploration of Atlanta's role in the film.
• Feature Commentary With Director Tim Story
• Bonus DVD
• Ultraviolet Digital Copy

"Ride Along" struggles to reinvigorate the buddy cop genre, which has seen better days. Director Tim Story leans heavily on clichéd conventions without offering new insights or significant comedic punch. The film features Kevin Hart as Ben, a high school security guard attempting to gain the respect of his girlfriend's brother, James (Ice Cube), a seasoned detective. In an effort to prove his worth, Ben embarks on a chaotic patrol with James, only to encounter manufactured barbs and overused racial stereotypes that hinder the movie's comedic potential. Hart and Cube struggle with uninspired material and a PG-13 constraint that feels limiting.

Despite its predictable and formulaic nature, "Ride Along" isn't without its merits. The film captures a nostalgic throwback vibe reminiscent of '80s and '90s action comedies such as "Lethal Weapon" and "Rush Hour." Fans of earlier buddy cop films might appreciate this aspect. Kevin Hart's rapid-fire ad-libs have moments that hit their mark, even though the movie occasionally overindulges in prolonged sequences needing tighter editing. Ice Cube's performance as the straight man to Hart's comedic antics shows promise but is undercut by an underwhelming script.

Ultimately, "Ride Along" is watchable and offers sporadic entertainment, though it falls short of being memorable or groundbreaking. Its attempt to balance action and comedy results in an uneven tone, with serious subplots about tracking down a notorious criminal feeling out of place. The film serves as a notable breakout role for Kevin Hart, marking his shift from supporting roles to leading man status. The effort by the cast and crew is evident, yet the movie ends up as a competent but lackluster entry into the buddy cop genre.

"Ride Along" Blu-ray Review

"Ride Along" is a buddy cop comedy that tries to capture the charm of its genre predecessors but often falls short. Directed by Tim Story, the film struggles with a derivative plot and familiar material that fails to engage in the ways fans of the genre might hope. While Kevin Hart and Ice Cube attempt to bring life to their roles, the chemistry between the leads isn't sufficient to elevate the film from being predictable and formulaic. The improv-driven narrative hinders more than it helps, making for a tiresome and, at times, exhausting watch.

Despite its shortcomings, the Blu-ray release by Universal offers a stellar audiovisual experience. The picture quality is crisp and clear, benefiting from high-definition 1080p resolution and enhanced color accuracy. The sound design also excels, with balanced audio channels that create an immersive listening environment. Special features included with the Blu-ray add some value, offering behind-the-scenes insights and extended scenes that may appeal to true fans.

In conclusion, while "Ride Along" may not stand out as a remarkable entry in the buddy cop comedy genre, it provides enough laughs and moments of entertainment to be worth a watch, particularly if expectations are tempered. The Universal Blu-ray release does justice to the film with its excellent AV presentation and decent selection of extras. For those willing to look past its predictability, "Ride Along" can still provide a reasonably enjoyable viewing experience.