Butter Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Butter" excels in delivering a notably high-definition experience. The resolution is impressive, with sharply defined images that possess significant depth and texture. The video presentation stays true to the original elements, capturing everything from the intricate details of the butter sculptures to the diverse complexions of the cast with remarkable clarity. Colors are beautifully rendered, showcasing a broad palette that ranges from vibrant fair sequences to the more subdued tones of interior scenes. Blacks are deep and well-balanced, contributing to an excellent contrast that enriches both light and dark elements on screen.

Textures, whether in clothing or facial details, maintain their natural crispness even in complex landscapes and crowds. The high-definition transfer retains a light veneer of grain, enhancing its film-like quality without compromising on clarity. Facial textures and the smallest carved details in the butter sculptures are brought out with precision, highlighting the fine gradations and imperfections that add realism to the images. Despite some scenes having a slight cyan tint, skin tones remain natural and compelling.

Overall, this 1080p presentation, delivered on a 25GB disc, consistently impresses without any notable compression issues. Blacks are deep enough to add depth without crushing shadow details. The remarkably detailed visuals and rich color reproduction ensure an engaging viewing experience, making this Blu-ray transfer near flawless. The clean print adds to the film's visual appeal, ensuring a strong and faithful video presentation throughout.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Butter" offers a refined DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that excels in delivering crisp dialogue with solid tonal variation and clarity, primarily through the center channel. While the mix leans heavily towards dialogue, it successfully incorporates subtle ambient effects—such as crowd noise and nighttime crickets—that enhance the authenticity of several scenes without being overly aggressive. Notably, the surround channels are employed thoughtfully to replicate ambiance and venue-specific atmospherics, yet they maintain a tasteful balance, only piping up in specific moments like the butter carving competitions where immersive crowd noise and refined echoes in larger venues create a fuller auditory experience.

The music within "Butter" is conveyed with expected cleanness and accuracy, though it predominantly resides in the front channels. Heavier sound effects, such as car collisions, are rendered with suitable power and presence, complimented by a subtle, yet vital low-end support that rounds out the overall soundstage. However, there are instances where the soundtrack lacks energy, such as during a striptease song early in the film. Despite this, the audio mix performs admirably for the genre of the film, balancing engaging dialogue delivery with natural ambient elements to create a surround sound experience that aligns perfectly with the tonal requirements of "Butter".

While not characterized by aggressive directional effects, the audio mix manages to be effective and enjoyable, seamlessly integrating ambient elements with primary dialogue to offer viewers an immersive yet straightforward listening experience. The minimal use of the subwoofer aligns with the film's dialogue-heavy nature but is reinforced adequately at necessary moments. Overall, this audio mix is a precise and fitting companion to the film's narrative style.

The Blu-ray extras for "Butter" are limited, but they'll appeal to fans with both humorous and insightful content. The gag reel, running approximately 5 minutes in HD, showcases entertaining behind-the-scenes moments primarily featuring Burrell and Corddry, ensuring a few laughs throughout. Additionally, over 9 minutes of deleted and extended scenes provide further character development, especially focusing on Destiny and her challenges regarding racial identity. These scenes include significant additions like "Pickler Home Video," "Destiny Needs Toilet Paper," and "Destiny Auditions Butter Ideas." A bonus DVD of the film is also included in the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Gag Reel: Entertaining behind-the-scenes moments.
• Deleted & Extended Scenes: Additional scenes, highlighting Destiny's character development.

"Butter" is a dark comedy set in the seemingly innocent heartland of small-town America, where the butter carving championship is the apex of social prestige. The plot centers around Laura Pickler (Jennifer Garner), a ruthless, ambition-driven wife hell-bent on maintaining her family's status, even as her affable husband Bob (Ty Burrell) is forced to step down from competition. The narrative drives home the contrast between the artificial sheen of small-town life and the cutthroat ambitions that lurk beneath, reflecting a microcosm of broader societal dynamics.

Director Jim Field Smith plays with outlandish scenarios and caricatures, creating a cavalcade of bizarre characters. Jennifer Garner’s portrayal of Laura is the linchpin, delivering a performance marked by high-strung mania and unyielding determination, which paints Laura as both laughable and detestable. Contrasting her, Yara Shahidi's Destiny shines with genuine innocence and raw talent, yet her character arc remains underdeveloped. The narrative frequently resorts to extremes, from adultery involving Olivia Wilde’s Brooke to manipulations with Hugh Jackman’s Boyd, providing darkly comedic moments but offering little authentic emotional depth.

The film juxtaposes morality, where characters like Destiny, whose pure intent contrasts sharply with Laura's malignant drive for superiority. Despite captivating performances from its ensemble cast, including Alicia Silverstone's compassionate Jill and Rob Corddry's supportive Ethan, "Butter" ultimately falls short. It overemphasizes its satirical elements at the expense of meaningful character development. The central theme of ambition over substance is apparent throughout but lacks novelty, rendering it a somewhat predictable narrative play. In sum, while "Butter" offers enough zany entertainment and sharp social commentary, it misses out on becoming a deeply impactful film, instead skimming the surface of its potential.

"Butter" offers an intriguing premise with the novel backdrop of butter carving, yet falters in its execution. While Yara Shahidi delivers a sweet performance, the film suffers from structural issues and uneven pacing, peaking early without fully recovering. The mishandling of characters impedes what could have been a more engaging narrative. Despite its flaws, the film manages to show occasional moments of promise. The Blu-ray release from Anchor Bay is noteworthy for its flawless video presentation and robust audio, complemented by a few worthwhile supplements. However, due to the film's inconsistencies, it's advisable to rent before committing to a purchase.

In contrast, some find "Butter" to be unexpectedly entertaining, thanks to its diverse range of eccentric characters. Olivia Wilde's portrayal of a mean and nutty prostitute, alongside Jennifer Garner's depiction of the quirky Laura, adds a layer of fun and unpredictability to the film. Interestingly, the movie delivers subtle emotional resonance near its conclusion that might surprise viewers. Supported by a strong video presentation and commendable audio quality, this release comes recommended by those who can appreciate its unique charm.

Conclusion: While "Butter" is divisive in its reception, it possesses certain redeeming qualities that could appeal to lovers of quirky, character-driven comedies. The Blu-ray release excels technically with high-definition video and strong audio, delivering a viewing experience that visually outshines its narrative shortcomings. Whether you find it a delightful oddity or a missed opportunity may hinge on personal taste, making it prudent to view before buying.