The House Bunny Blu-ray Review

The Blu Ray presentation of "The House Bunny" boasts a vibrant 1080p/AVC transfer framed in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, delivering an exceptionally clean and artifact-free viewing experience. The color palette is vivid and oversaturated, favoring eye-popping hues like pinks, oranges, and greens that lend an engaging, bouncy visual appeal, perfectly suited to the film's tone. The source material is super-clean with no signs of pops, dirt, or scratches. The detail is generally sharp and precise, showcasing resolute images that consistently display stable sharpness and crisp subtle delineation.

However, there are some inconsistencies; certain scenes appear better resolved than others, likely attributable to the original photography rather than the encoding. Contrast is dynamic but not overpowering, though it can sometimes come off as flat resulting in slightly subdued depth. Blacks are commendable in depth but can occasionally appear muddy and lack the necessary robustness to elevate the transfer fully. Additionally, while flesh tones skew towards a slight yellow/orange tint, they mostly remain accurate and pleasing.

Overall, "The House Bunny" achieves an impressive Blu Ray transfer that will satisfy viewers through its lively and saturated visuals, despite occasional moments where blacks and contrast could perform better.

The Blu-ray release of "The House Bunny" features an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack encoded at a 48kHz/24-bit rate, aligning well with the sonic demands of this type of film. The mix primarily focuses on front-heavy audio, providing clear and well-balanced dialogue that delivers with crystal clarity and sufficient room penetration. As expected with a dialogue-centric comedy, the dynamic range is acceptable and channel separation is definitive across the front soundstage. Surround sound usage is minimal and generally limited to spatial cues and venue-simulating effects noticeable in party and bar sequences. This results in a moderately enveloping rear sound field during these moments, though overall surround engagement remains conservative.

While not particularly active or immersive, this soundtrack maintains a clean and polished profile, with no signs of source issues or artifacts. Low-frequency effects are sparse, contributing limited sub-bass, but the subwoofer does provide adequate low bass emphasis that extends the frequency range associated with this film's audio mix. The atmospheric presence is fairly reserved, and even in scenes intended to be dynamic or energetic, such as party sequences, the audio remains somewhat flat and uninvolved, focusing instead on maintaining dialogue clarity.

Technical execution is strong, delivering a satisfactory auditory experience for viewers without venturing into overly ambitious territory. The track's overall cleanliness and balance ensure that the humor-driven vocals remain at the forefront, effectively supporting the film's comedic intent despite its understated surround sound elements and limited low-end punch. For a studio release of this nature, "The House Bunny" on Blu-ray presents an audio mix that, while not breathtaking, fulfills its purpose competently.

The Blu-ray of "The House Bunny" offers an engaging collection of extras, primarily presented in high-definition. The featurettes, totaling 53 minutes, provide a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the film through a dozen well-executed segments, highlighting contributions from key cast and production members, including Anna Faris and director Fred Wolf. Deleted scenes, though in standard definition and marred by poor video quality with time code markers, still deliver amusing content with ten valuable scenes focusing on Faris. Additionally, the music video for Katherine McPhee's cover of "I Know What Boys Like" adds a delightful touch, although it is essentially a rehash of the end credit sequence. The disc's BD-Live feature also allows access to more downloadable content, enriching the viewer's experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Anna Faris: House Mom: Behind-the-scenes insights with the star and producer.
• The Girls of Zeta: Segment featuring the main cast members.
• The Girls Upstairs: Focuses on actors playing supportive roles.
• Colin Hanks: Mr. Nice Guy: Highlights Colin Hanks’ role.
• From Song to Set: Katherine McPhee: Coverage of McPhee's contribution.
• From Tour Bus to Trailer: Tyson Ritter: Insight into Tyson Ritter’s part.
• Look Who Dropped By: Surprise appearances on set.
• House Bunny Style: Exploration of the film’s costumes.
• Zetas Transformed: Makeovers and character evolution.
• Getting Ready for a Party: Preparations for key scenes.
• Calendar Girls: Behind-the-scenes of the calendar shoot.
• House Bunny Memories: Cast and crew memories from the set.

"The House Bunny," starring Anna Faris, positions itself as a light-hearted comedy but falters due to its borrowed plot elements and superficial execution. The story follows Shelley Darlingson, played by Faris, who is evicted from the Playboy Mansion and finds herself taking on the role of house mother for the sorority Zeta Alpha Zeta. The transformation journey for the Zeta girls is fun but lacks depth, relying heavily on clichés from movies like "Legally Blonde" and "Revenge of the Nerds." This results in predictable and shallow character arcs. While Faris exhibits commendable comedic timing, the film's weak script and disjointed pacing detract significantly from its overall enjoyment.

Anna Faris's performance is the redeeming aspect of "The House Bunny." Her commitment to the role and energetic portrayal are engaging, often lifting scenes that could otherwise fall flat. Unfortunately, this isn't enough to overcome the film's intrinsic flaws. The storyline is cluttered with unconvincing developments, including a superficial makeover montage where the Zetas gain social skills seemingly through looks alone. Colin Hanks as Oliver provides charm but lacks chemistry with Faris, further diminishing the impact of their romantic subplot. The film tries to deliver a message about individuality but ends up reiterating tired stereotypes.

Technically, "The House Bunny" adheres to the standards expected from a high-concept Hollywood comedy. However, despite introducing potentially intriguing themes, it ultimately reverts to a predictable, feel-good template. The campus showdown and rivalry with the Phi Iota Mu sorority are uninspired, resulting in a narrative that feels more derivative than innovative. Yet, despite its numerous weaknesses, Faris's stellar comedic delivery ensures that viewers will find moments of genuine humor sprinkled throughout, making this otherwise conventional comedy slightly more watchable.

"The House Bunny" offers a light-hearted, amusing cinematic experience, albeit one that's thinly plotted and of questionable depth. Anna Faris delivers a commendable performance that anchors the humor, making the film enjoyable despite its narrative shortcomings. The Blu-ray release supplements the movie with good quality video and audio, ensuring a pleasant viewing experience. The bonus features add a touch of fun but do not elevate the overall value substantially.

While the movie's humor will appeal to teenagers and fans of light, comedic fare, it's unlikely to engage those seeking more substantial content. The presentation on Blu-ray is solid but not exceptional, with audio and visual elements that are satisfactory yet unremarkable. This lack of technical distinction combined with the film's lightweight story suggests it might be better suited for casual viewing rather than part of a permanent collection.

In conclusion, "The House Bunny" Blu-ray is worth considering for a rental or a selective purchase if you're a fan of Anna Faris or enjoy simple, comedic films. Its strengths lie in its humor and accessible presentation, but the overall package lacks the depth required for broader appeal.