Romy and Michele's High School Reunion Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" on Blu-ray presents a mixed experience, captured through a digital restoration that aligns with the film’s original cinematic qualities. The 1080p, AVC-encoded format delivers a generally soft but serviceable image that avoids artificial sharpening, maintaining a fine-grained look. Primary colors in the characters' vibrant outfits are lively, while complexions offer natural tonal variance among the cast. Despite these strengths, mid and wide-angle shots lack the sharp resolution one might expect from a high-definition release, often appearing murky with a consistently visible grain that can occasionally distract. This is attributed to the period's technology overlap and optical transitions within the film.

From a technical standpoint, the transfer exhibits consistent but average black levels with fluctuating contrast, occasionally lending scenes a flat appearance. Close-up shots fare better in terms of detail but still lack definitive sharpness that could enhance the visual storytelling, particularly concerning the film’s fashion-centric theme. Cinematographer Reynaldo Villalobos' delicate lighting is reproduced well but might have benefited from modern remastering to better match today’s expectations for Blu-ray visual quality.

Furthermore, Disney has opted for a BD-50 disc, seemingly to minimize compression artifacts which another publisher might risk by using additional compression. However, the potential for higher quality remains untapped due to reliance on dated transfer techniques likely originating from the DVD era. The absence of fine detail is noticeable and disappointing, given it could have accentuated Romy and Michele's creative outfits. Overall, while the Blu-ray presentation is adequate, it underscores the desire for a more inspired effort to renew the film’s aesthetic vibrancy and crisp detail for present-day audiences.

The audio presentation for "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" on Blu Ray is a masterful DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. The film primarily depends on dialogue, captured with exceptional clarity and detail, ensuring Mira Sorvino's unique delivery is pristine and without a hint of distortion. The soundstage is primarily focused on the front three channels, with excellent separation and imaging that enhance the vivid interplay of dialogue, music, and environmental sounds.

Notably, the rear channel activity shines during the prom and reunion scenes, effectively expanding the soundstage to create an immersive auditory experience. The LFE channel, while not heavily utilized, provides subtle impact predominantly in the upper bass frequencies associated with the film’s musical elements. The incidental underscoring by Steve Bartek and James Newton Howard blends seamlessly with a rich array of ‘80s pop standards, from “Footloose” to “Time After Time,” lending a nostalgic charm that significantly enhances the viewing experience.

The mix is particularly effective in ambient environments, where background conversations and noises are rendered with realism, contributing to the film's atmosphere. This detail is especially apparent during the reunion scene, where the soft din of various interactions creates an authentic party ambiance. Overall, this DTS-HD MA multi-channel mix faithfully complements the source material, delivering a balanced and engaging listening experience for fans of the film and its iconic soundtrack.

The Blu-ray extras for "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" offer a brief yet enjoyable glimpse behind the scenes, enhancing the viewing experience with additional context and entertainment. The Production Featurette is a concise, engaging promo featuring snippets from the cast and crew reflecting on the film, emphasizing its playful and fun nature, even though it’s termed a "pack of lies" by the director. The inclusion of a light-hearted theatrical trailer further complements the supplemental material, perfectly capturing the film's whimsical spirit. Additionally, a series of sneak peeks provide previews for other notable releases, broadening the appeal for diverse audiences. Overall, these extras, though minimal, are thoughtfully curated to enrich the overall package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Production Featurette: Insightful behind-the-scenes promo with cast and crew reflections.
• Theatrical Trailer: Light-hearted preview encapsulating the film's tone.
• Sneak Peeks: Trailers for The Odd Life of Timothy Green, The Avengers, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, ABC TV on DVD and Blu-ray, and Castle, season 4.

"Romy and Michele's High School Reunion," helmed by David Mirkin with a screenplay adapted by Robin Schiff from her original play, captures the comedic essence of its day through the chemistry of Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow. The movie, often compared to classics like "Clueless" and "Dumb and Dumber," offers a delightfully eccentric look at two best friends who attempt to impress their former classmates with fabricated tales of success at their 10-year high school reunion. Sorvino and Kudrow shine as the titular characters, with their lack of awareness lending authenticity to their outlandish schemes. Their fashion-forward but impractical wardrobe choices, alongside their absurdly implausible business successes, provide a rich vein of comedy that is enhanced by Mirkin's irreverent approach.

The narrative effectively employs the backdrop of a high school reunion to examine themes of identity and societal perception, revealing that many individuals remain fundamentally unchanged from their adolescent years. This concept, paired with flashbacks to Romy and Michele's high school days as outcasts, underscores their enduring insecurities. Supporting performances from Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, and Julia Campbell enrich the comedic tapestry, portraying characters who embody various high school stereotypes with both humor and a tinge of pathos. The film's third act, replete with surreal and unexpected twists, serves as both climax and denouement, tying together thematic elements while eliciting hearty laughter.

Set to a lively soundtrack that jumps from '80s classics to '90s hits like No Doubt’s “Just a Girl,” "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" positions itself as a time capsule of its era. The characters' deeply ingrained quirks and their endearing friendship render the film a sentimental journey laced with humor. Ultimately, the film's charm lies in its unselfconscious embrace of absurdity and the heartwarming portrayal of its protagonists who, despite their flaws, discover self-acceptance in the most unlikely fashion.

The Blu-ray release of "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" carries forward the film's quirky charm and nostalgic appeal but falls short in terms of additional content and HD enhancement. While the visual and auditory presentation are solid, meeting the basic expectations set by the format, there is a noticeable lack of extra features that might entice collectors or long-time fans. Disney's habit of branding these releases as "Anniversary Editions" can feel more like a marketing gimmick than a substantial value addition, as this edition does little to stand out beyond the standard definition version already available.

The essence of the movie—a lighthearted, highly quotable, and thoroughly amusing flick—remains largely untouched. However, the Blu-ray doesn’t significantly improve upon the original DVD quality that might justify a purchase for those who already own previous editions. The film’s colorful aesthetic and humorous tones remain intact, but the absence of meaningful HD enhancements and special features makes this release feel somewhat redundant. Its technical execution, while competent, doesn’t elevate the movie experience to warrant an indispensable upgrade.

In conclusion, while "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" on Blu-ray provides decent visual fidelity and sound, it doesn’t offer new extras or substantial improvements over existing formats. This edition is ideal for newcomers who wish to experience the film's whimsical nostalgia in high-definition but is not essential for those who already possess the DVD. Ultimately, although highly recommended for first-time viewers, existing fans might find this release more suited for rental rather than a permanent addition to their collection.