Observe and Report Blu-ray Review
Score: 65
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
"Observe and Report" provides excellent high-definition video and TrueHD audio, but the film's divisive nature and immature humor warrant a cautious rental.
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Disc Release Date
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 72
'Observe and Report' on Blu-ray delivers a strong 1080p presentation with a vivid color palette, solid blacks, and high detail, despite some occasional softness and minor flaws. Enhanced by a lossless Dolby TrueHD soundtrack, it provides an engaging experience with clear dialogue and dynamic range, although not demonstration worthy.
Audio: 71
Fueled by a punchy Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix, 'Observe and Report' delivers clear and coherent dialogue amidst dynamic sound effects and an energetic soundtrack, creating an immersive audio experience that balances atmospheric ambience and occasional powerful bass, though rear speaker activity and surround effects remain subtly integrated.
Extra: 62
The Blu-ray of 'Observe and Report' offers a mix of engaging extras: a lively Picture-in-Picture commentary with Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, and director Jody Hill, 27 minutes of additional scenes, an amusing faux recruitment video, and various featurettes. Highlights include the vibrant gag reel and insightful 'Basically Training' behind-the-scenes segment.
Movie: 65
With its dark, raunchy humor and Seth Rogen’s unsettling yet hilarious portrayal of a bipolar security guard, 'Observe and Report' offers a visually and audibly impressive Region Free Blu-ray release. While its polarizing narrative and provocative themes may alienate some, the film's unique blend of comedy and chaos provides a memorable experience.
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Video: 72
"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.
Audio: 71
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.
Extra: 62
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.
Movie: 65
"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.
Total: 65
"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.
avforums review by Casimir HarlowRead review here
Video: 80
Blacks are solid, allowing for decent shadowing and night time sequences, and overall this - whilst not quite good enough to make it a benchmark vehicle to show off your equipment with - is a solid, high...
Audio: 80
With the witty dialogue coming across clearly and coherently - whether the heartfelt quieter conversations or the more boisterous shouting matches of Seth Rogen and his nemesis Ray Liotta, you can lap...
Extras: 80
I'm not entirely sure why it is called Seth and Anna Unscripted, and pitched as a look at just their best scene together, as we get to look at some of the work between Rogen and Pena as well, all explained...
Movie: 80
Observe and Report is full-on frivolity, a surreal blast, with Seth Rogen taking his cop persona from Superbad and giving it a scary Taxi Driver-esque twist as he patrols a danger-ridden shopping mall,...
Total: 80
Blu-ray.com review by Kenneth BrownRead review here
Video: 80
Detail occasionally falters -- though I doubt it has much, if anything, to do with the studio's transfer -- but, for the most part, textures remain crisp and natural, edges are well-defined, and overall...
Audio: 80
Likewise, LFE output is aggressive when called upon but reserves most of its muscle for chases, altercations, and moments when the soundtrack takes center stage....
Extras: 50
Basically Training (SD, 7 minutes): While this quick look at the film's action-oriented sequences lacks meat, it's still worth watching, if for no other reason than to chuckle as Rogen and crew give the...
Movie: 80
With enough raunch and spittle to make the already tame Paul Blart: Mall Cop look like an episode of "Dora the Explorer," with enough shocks and surprises to leave me shaking my head and wiping tears out...
Total: 70
The film itself is too divisive to recommend a blind buy -- renting the disc is definitely the way to go for your first viewing -- but everyone, even those who are new to Hill's sharply written dark comedy...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
First and foremost, I feel the image just isn't as sharply defined as other newer releases and has a generally softer appearance....
Audio: 60
The subwoofer chimes in occasionally and when it does it packs a powerful wallop, especially during gunshots at the shooting range and in most of the tunes populating the soundtrack....
Extras: 0
Since the standard-definition DVD is virtually a barebones release, all of the supplements are exclusive to the Blu-ray and therefore have been added into the appropriate section....
Movie: 0
Rogen is so ridiculously serious and over-the-top that the more I saw of his disturbing and revolting actions, the more I absolutely despised the guy....
Total: 40
Fans looking for supplements will only find them on this Blu-ray version, which does come with competent audio and video, but this is one film you have to enter at your own risk....
AVSForumRead review here
Video: 86
However there are several sequences that engage the entire system to briefly produce entertaining and room filling sound that was measurable....
Audio: 82
However there are several sequences that engage the entire system to briefly produce entertaining and room filling sound that was measurable....
Extras: 50
Faux Security recruitment video – 3 minutes WB BD-Live access Digital Copy Bonus Disc – A standard definition version of the film that can be downloaded from a compatible PC/Mac to a portable playback...
Movie: 40
Catching the flasher may be his ticket to a real police job and to romance with a hot cosmetics-counter princess....
Total: 65
THX Ultra 2 Preamp/Video Processor Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier Oppo BDP-83 Universal disc/Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)...
Director: Jody Hill
Actors: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Ray Liotta
PlotRonnie Barnhardt is the head of security at the Forest Ridge Mall and takes his job very seriously, seeing himself as a protector and enforcer. However, his abilities and temperament are questionable as he struggles with bipolar disorder. When a perverse flasher begins terrorizing shoppers in the mall parking lot, Ronnie sees this as the perfect opportunity to prove himself as a real law enforcement officer. He becomes obsessed with catching the flasher and winning the affection of Brandi, a superficial makeup counter employee who was one of the victims.
Ronnie’s ambitions put him at odds with Detective Harrison, a seasoned police officer who dismisses Ronnie as incompetent and dangerous. As Ronnie's methods and behavior become increasingly erratic and unhinged, his single-minded quest leads to a series of confrontations and misadventures. Along the way, he clashes with a variety of mall employees and other quirky characters, each encounter pushing him further towards the edge. Despite the chaos, Ronnie remains resolute in his mission to achieve recognition and respect, revealing both the darkly comic and tragic dimensions of his character.
Writers: Jody Hill
Release Date: 10 Apr 2009
Runtime: 86 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English