Observe and Report Blu-ray Review

"Observe and Report" emerges on Blu-ray with a vibrant 1080p High Definition transfer, presented in its original 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The detail is notably pronounced, maintaining clarity through close-ups and wide shots alike, day or night, with minimal noise or edge enhancement. Colors are comprehensive and vivid, particularly in the expansive New Mexico setting and the brightly colored mall scenes, featuring a dynamic palette of reds, yellows, and blues. Solid black levels allow for impressive shadow detail and depth in dark scenes. Although not reference-quality, this transfer remains a high-class visual rendition rich in texture, devoid of significant digital defects.

The transfer excels with high-level detail, strong contrast, and deeply saturated colors, providing a three-dimensional quality that enhances the visual depth of darker scenes. Blacks are punchy and contribute to the overall depth and dimensionality. Despite occasional falterings in detail, where textures might seem less crisp, the presentation remains strikingly clear with well-defined edges. Fleshtones are generally spot-on, barring slight inconsistencies, like occasional rosy hues. The VC-1 encode is commendable, avoiding significant artifacts, banding, or unintentional noise. Minor instances of crush and ringing do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience.

While some reviewers expressed slight disappointment regarding the sharpness and definition compared to other recent releases, the transfer remains capable. Exterior daylight scenes exhibit the most dimensionality and "pop," whereas indoor scenes sometimes display softer focus and minor skin tone fluctuations under varied lighting conditions. Notable are the deep, inky blacks that maintain consistency throughout. The absence of major compression artifacts or banding underscores the high quality of this Blu-ray's visual presentation, making it a satisfying experience for fans of the film.

The Blu-ray release of "Observe and Report" features a competent Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround mix that adeptly captures the essence of the film’s comedic and action elements. The dialogue is notably clear and intelligible, ensuring both the boisterous shouting matches and quieter heartfelt conversations are coherent and well-prioritized. This mix brings out every nuance of the sharp script, allowing audiences to appreciate even the subtle jokes. The sound field is immersive, with ambient mall noises creating a pervasive atmosphere that envelops the listener. Dynamics are somewhat limited but effective, especially during close-combat sequences and punchy musical interludes, providing a satisfying low-end presence when needed.

While the soundtrack supports the front channels predominantly, it delivers engaging and room-filling sound during key sequences. The rear speaker activity, though subdued, convincingly enhances scenes such as the mall's interior or moments in Harrison's squad car with detailed ambient chatter and acoustic effects. The LFE output is notably aggressive during crucial moments such as chases and altercations, adding weight and impact to these scenes. Ultimately, while it may not be a demo-worthy sonic presentation, "Observe and Report" provides an immersive and enjoyable audio experience that aligns well with the film's material. This Dolby TrueHD track elevates the comedic elements through its vibrant score, dynamic range, and directionality, making it a solid effort for a comedy genre Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray release of "Observe and Report" features a robust collection of extra content that complements the main film with substantial behind-the-scenes material and entertaining additional footage, all of which possess a professional and engaging tone characteristic of Warner’s high-definition offerings. A standout is the Picture-in-Picture Commentary from stars Seth Rogen and Anna Faris, alongside writer/director Jody Hill, providing an amusing and insightful look into the film's production. The additional and extended scenes offer further depth, though they range in quality. "Basically Training" and the "Forest Ridge Mall: Security Recruitment Video" showcase the cast’s enjoyment during filming, with several hilarious moments captured. The "Seth Rogen & Anna Faris: Unscripted" segment highlights their improvisational skills, while the Gag Reel ensures plenty of laughs. Overall, these extras add significant value to the Blu-ray package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Picture-in-Picture Commentary: Entertaining insights by Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, and Jody Hill.
• Additional/Extended Scenes: 27 minutes of extra footage.
• Basically Training: Behind-the-scenes action sequence looks.
• Seth Rogen & Anna Faris: Unscripted: Raw, multiple takes from various scenes.
• Gag Reel: Hilarious outtakes and flubbed lines.
• Forest Ridge Mall: Security Recruitment Video: Faux recruitment video for a mall.
• BD-Live Functionality
• Digital Copy Bonus Disc: Downloadable standard-definition version of the film.

"Observe and Report" delivers a brazen, dark comedy that combines outrageous humor with unsettlingly raw character portrayals. Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie Barnhardt, an ambitious mall security guard with serious social and mental issues, who takes his job too seriously as he battles to catch a flasher tormenting the local shopping mall. His journey, peppered with inappropriate antics and bizarre interactions, is an offbeat and wild ride. Under the sharp direction of Jody Hill, the film pushes genre boundaries, crafting a narrative that can be both hilarious and discomforting. The cast performance shines, particularly with Anna Faris as the superficial cosmetics clerk Ronnie adores.

The film's rich mix of inspirations—from Edgar Wright’s "Hot Fuzz" to Chan-wook Park’s "Oldboy"—imbues it with a unique blend of unhinged comedy and intense drama. Its R-rating speaks to its boldness in confronting non-PC themes head-on, making it unsuitable for sensitive viewers but highly appealing to those who appreciate daring humor. Observed from technical merits, the Region Free US Blu-ray does justice to the film's visual and audio demands, ensuring a superb cinematic experience at home. Additionally, the package includes a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes extras, showcasing the talented cast's improvisational skills.

While "Observe and Report" may seem like a scattershot series of comedy sketches rather than a coherent story, its unpredictable and darkly comic moments operate under a methodical madness that becomes clearer as the narrative progresses. Despite some critics finding its humor excessively crude and its protagonist hard to sympathize with, others may appreciate its offbeat charm and biting satire. The juxtaposition of outrageous situations with Ronnie's personal struggles offers a refreshingly searing take on what could otherwise have been a standard mall cop comedy. However, due to its polarizing content, it promises to either garner devoted fans or elicit stark disapproval.

"Observe and Report" delivers a mixed experience, providing a blend of dark, sharply written comedy and moments that may not appeal to all viewers. The film's divisive nature suggests it isn't suitable for a blind buy. For first-time viewers, renting the Blu-ray disc is advisable to gauge personal enjoyment. Despite its controversial content, Warner's high-definition release excels technically. The exemplary video transfer presents crisp and vibrant visuals, while the TrueHD audio track ensures an immersive auditory experience. This Blu-ray edition is also bolstered by a robust set of supplemental features predominantly exclusive to this release.

The film itself has polarizing elements, combining crudeness with satire that may alienate some viewers. Seth Rogen's portrayal of the main character is intentionally unlikable, resulting in a comedic delivery that's both compelling and challenging. The unpredictable nature of "Observe and Report" tests viewer thresholds for dark humor. Hence, audience reactions will vary widely depending on their appetite for edgy comedy that oftentimes treads on uncomfortable grounds.

Conclusively, "Observe and Report" on Blu-ray may not be a universal hit, but its technical merits in high-definition video and audio are undeniable. The film’s unique brand of comedy will either delight or repel, making it essential to assess individual taste before purchasing. For those enticed by challenging, raw humor, this Blu-ray offers an outstanding package that enhances the viewing experience with exceptional clarity and sound fidelity.