What's Your Number? Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "What's Your Number?" delivers a high-quality visual experience with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The high bitrate encoding ensures appreciable levels of detail, capturing fine high definition elements such as the individual specks of floating dust and the tiny blonde hairs on Anna Faris' arm. Colors are notably bright and deeply saturated, sometimes appearing exaggerated but still vivid and pleasing to the eye. Flesh tones are rendered warmly with natural complexions, and the film maintains a balanced, clean image throughout.

The cinematography, shot on 35mm, results in a realistic visual style common to modern rom-coms, featuring a neutral color cast that prioritizes realism over moodiness. Contrast and black levels show some variation; while blacks can be deep and noise-free in some scenes, there are instances where they lack depth. Despite this slight inconsistency, whites remain punchy and detailed without appearing overcooked. The grain structure remains healthy and unimposing, though it does become more pronounced in darker scenes, which is an expected occurrence.

Compression artifacts are minimal, with no noticeable issues related to video-related artifacts or edge enhancement. There are only slight occurrences of aliasing and noise, typically during night shots or in patterned clothing, but these are not disruptive. Banding and overt compression issues are non-existent, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience. Overall, "What's Your Number?" on Blu-ray benefits from a crisp and colorful transfer that aligns well with the film's bright and engaging aesthetic.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for "What's Your Number?" offers a soundscape with good dynamic range and detailed clarity, effectively capturing subtle background sounds. The dialogue is firmly anchored in the center channel, rendering voices and effects with appropriate distinction and tonal balance within the front soundstage. Low frequency effects are moderated but sufficiently engage the subwoofer to convey the film's recorded elements. The rear channels, although not in constant use, are effectively employed for ambient effects such as traffic sounds and nightclub ambience, highlighting an attentive mix execution.

While rom-coms generally don't demand intensive audio work, this track delivers clarity and a relatively dynamic aural experience. The audio mix includes a balanced representation of the film's score across the main speakers, although the music itself remains unremarkable and akin to sit-com soundtracks. Moments of bass prominence are present, particularly in club scenes where deep frequencies become notably active. The sound design ensures clean, balanced, and easily comprehensible dialogue throughout, meeting the primary expectations of this genre. Additionally, the disc comes with optional English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles.

The mix is meticulously crafted, delivering a natural and seamless listening experience. Ambient effects, like those from Boston city streets or outdoor wedding sequences, are dynamically portrayed, enhancing the realism of specific settings. Imaging remains smooth across all channels, with impressive spatial accuracy for effects like fireworks. Despite some limitations in rear speaker usage, the overall sound quality unobtrusively supports the film's narrative. However, it's worth noting that the dialogue clarity starkly reveals some shortcomings in the final ADR work. Nonetheless, small details ingrained into the audio mix make significant contributions to the film's overall immersive quality.

The Blu-ray release of "What's Your Number?" provides a modest selection of supplemental content. Key features include eight deleted scenes, offering an additional 17 minutes of content, primarily consisting of alternate versions and unused footage. Despite the extra material, it doesn't elevate the overall viewing experience significantly. The 7-minute gag reel contains the typical bloopers and outtakes, alongside amusing candid moments where cast and crew share their number of partners, adding a touch of humor. The theatrical trailer is included for those who wish to rekindle the initial promise of the film. However, the lack of comprehensive featurettes, audio commentaries, or making-of documentaries signifies a missed opportunity for a more enriched disc. Additionally, a sneak peek rounds out the extras by rehashing pre-menu trailers and includes a preview for 'I Don't Know How She Does It.' This limited package caters more to casual viewers than serious collectors or cinephiles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical and Unrated versions of the film: Two viewing options.
• Deleted Scenes: Eight scenes with a mix of alternates and outtakes.
• Gag Reel: Humorous takes and cast interviews.
• Theatrical Trailer: A promotional preview.
• Sneak Peeks: Trailers for other films.
• Bonus DVD: An additional DVD copy of the film.
• Digital Copy: A digital version for on-the-go viewing.

"What's Your Number?" stars Anna Faris as Ally Darling, who embarks on a comedic adventure to find her ideal partner by reconnecting with her 19 ex-lovers. Chris Evans joins her as Colin, the charmingly unpredictable neighbor. The film attempts to traverse familiar romantic comedy territory with a quirky premise, but unfortunately, it falls into the abyss of clichés. Blythe Danner makes an appearance as the stereotypical overbearing mother, while a string of ex-boyfriends portrayed by actors like Andy Samberg and Martin Freeman add sporadic laughs. Despite Anna Faris’ inherent comedic talent, her performance is undermined by a script that leans heavily on tired, formulaic gags and unnecessary vulgarity. Chris Evans' portrayal of Colin lacks believability, struggling to mesh with the narrative’s demands.

The episodic nature of Ally's encounters with her exes adds to the film's disjointed pacing. Her interactions range from mildly amusing to outright cringe-worthy, such as a scene involving a puppeteer played by Andy Samberg. The inclusion of an extended cut exacerbates these pacing issues, stretching the runtime to an arduous 117 minutes. For a romantic comedy, the film's length becomes a significant detriment, making it feel unnecessarily prolonged and lacking in energy. The screenplay’s failure to balance humor and heartfelt moments results in a movie that feels longer than its actual runtime.

Ultimately, "What's Your Number?" struggles under the weight of its lackluster execution. The film’s reliance on overused tropes and predictable plot twists prevents it from standing out in the crowded rom-com genre. Faris and Evans have the potential for chemistry and humor, but they are let down by uninspired writing and direction. For viewers seeking a more engaging and innovative romantic comedy experience, other options like "Bridesmaids" are likely to offer more satisfaction.

In the era defined by female-centric comedies spearheaded by movies like Bridesmaids, "What's Your Number?" unfortunately falls short of expectations. Despite starring the talented Anna Faris and Chris Evans, the film struggles to leverage their comedic abilities effectively. The pacing is laborious and the extended cut exacerbates this issue, resulting in a film that feels much longer than its 106-minute runtime. While some raunchy moments hit the mark, the majority fail to land, making for a somewhat humorless experience.

From a technical standpoint, "What's Your Number?" offers commendable picture quality with minor inconsistencies. The audio is robust, but the mix is let down by a lack of dynamic rear channel activity, diminishing the immersive experience. Special features are notably sparse, comprising mostly a gag reel and some lackluster deleted scenes, which don't justify the purchase of this Blu-ray.

Conclusively, while Anna Faris and Chris Evans exhibit moments of charm and wit, "What's Your Number?" ultimately disappoints due to its poor pace, weak script, and underwhelming special features. This Blu-ray release might appeal to hardcore fans of the lead actors but is better suited for a rental rather than a permanent addition to your collection.