The Other Guys Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Other Guys" on Blu-ray is an exceptional showcase of Sony Home Entertainment's commitment to delivering high-quality transfers. The 1080p transfer, using an AVC MPEG-4 encoding at a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, presents a sharp and crisp image that excels in capturing fine details. Attributes like the intricate textures on actors' faces and the meticulously rendered New York City streets are vividly displayed. Black levels are rich and inky, maintaining excellent shadow detail without sacrificing important elements in the darkest scenes. The colors are well-balanced, never appearing overly warm or saturated, thereby contributing to a natural cinematic experience that enhances the movie’s visual appeal.

Sony's skilled approach ensures that the image maintains a consistent and handsomely cinematic texture, free from excessive digital manipulation. The natural film grain adds an authentic texture to the picture, and no digital artifacts like banding or blocking are noticeable. This high-definition display offers an impressive depth, highlighted by a seamless clarity that stands out in both foreground and background elements. Noteworthy scenes, such as Danson and Highsmith’s rooftop jump, demonstrate the depth perception and solid contrast that this transfer supports. Overall, "The Other Guys" benefits from a brilliant 1080p transfer by Sony, which solidifies its status as a top-tier Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "The Other Guys" features a proficient DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless audio track that delivers a solid auditory experience, though it stops just short of reference-grade. The soundtrack offers some truly immersive moments, particularly during action scenes where explosive low-frequency effects (LFE) and dynamic sound direction are prevalent. Gunfire, explosions, and mechanical impacts, such as a sweeping wrecking ball, utilize the LFE channel powerfully, creating an impactful auditory environment. Surround channels are primarily activated during high-intensity sequences, filling the space with the rattling of machine-gun fire, helicopter fly-bys, and various metallic impacts. Dialogue is consistently clear and centrally placed, maintaining perfect balance against the background score and effects.

While the audio track excels during action-packed moments, ambient sound design is somewhat limited. Scene-specific elements such as cityscape noise, idling engines, and walkie-talkie chatter are captured well, yet these moments do not dominate the soundstage. This concentrated use of surround channels may leave some listeners feeling less immersed during quieter sections of the film. Nevertheless, the audio remains robust overall, ensuring dialogue clarity and satisfying bass performance. Audiophiles may find it a solid yet unremarkable entry compared to elite soundtracks, but action enthusiasts will appreciate the punchy and captivating auditory experience it provides.

"The Other Guys" Blu-ray offers an impressive array of extra content that avid fans will find engaging and, at times, hilarious. Highlights include a unique "Mom-mentary," where the mothers of Adam McKay, Christopher Henchy, and Will Ferrell provide a whimsical yet insightful commentary. With more than a dozen additional features, ranging from deleted scenes to behind-the-scenes glimpses and humorous outtakes, viewers are given a comprehensive look at the film's production and its playful atmosphere. Both technically proficient and delightfully entertaining, each feature adds value to this robust collection.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: The Mom-Mentary featuring the mothers of McKay, Henchy, and Ferrell.
• Line-O-Rama: Improvisations not included in the movie.
• Extended & Deleted Scenes: 30 minutes of amusing cuts.
• Crash and Burn!: Behind-the-scenes stunt work.
• Why Are There Brits In This Movie?: Humorous take on Steve Coogan's English roots.
• Rob Riggle Likes To Party: Riggle discussing various oddities.
• And more…

"The Other Guys," directed by Adam McKay and featuring an ensemble cast led by Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, explores the seldom-questioned lives of the background NYPD detectives who support the typical action heroes. This comedy-action hybrid initially captivates with a hilariously over-the-top first act, where Det. Christopher Danson (Dwayne Johnson) and P.K. Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) showcase an absurd level of heroism that sets the stage for their less glamorous counterparts, Gamble (Ferrell) and Hoitz (Wahlberg). When the hyper-competent lead duo is unexpectedly sidelined, Gamble and Hoitz have a chance to prove their worth, leading to a laugh-out-loud dynamic filled with unlikely scenarios and comedic brilliance.

The film's screenplay, collaboratively penned by McKay and Chris Henchy, effectively utilizes a tongue-in-cheek approach to satirize traditional buddy cop tropes. While it starts strong with rapid-fire humor and exaggerated action sequences, the narrative does suffer from pacing issues as it moves towards its conclusion. Humor derived from recurring gags, such as Gamble's inexplicably successful romantic life and various oddball exchanges, can become repetitive, though they remain reasonably amusing throughout. Despite these minor shortcomings, the chemistry between Ferrell and Wahlberg carries the movie, augmented by notable performances from supporting actors like Michael Keaton and Steve Coogan.

"The Other Guys" strikes a commendable balance between comedy and action, featuring stunt work that pleasantly surpasses expectations. McKay's direction deftly allows room for improvisation, which enriches several memorable scenes. Although the film ventures into topical commentary on financial misdeeds, it maintains a humorous tone without becoming overly preachy. Supporting roles by Rob Riggle and Damon Wayans Jr. add to the film's comedic depth, making it a well-rounded venture that thrives on character-driven humor against a backdrop of exaggerated police action antics.

"The Other Guys" on Blu-ray represents an almost perfect meld of comedy and action, showcasing both Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg at the height of their performances. Ferrell's familiarity might induce some viewer fatigue, but Wahlberg's unexpectedly engaging performance, arguably his best to date, balances the dynamic superbly. The direction from Adam McKay ensures a well-paced narrative that maintains interest through smartly executed action sequences and humor. Notably, the character development offers nuances missing in similar genre entries, such as "Cop Out," providing a more memorable experience overall.

Technically, the Blu-ray excels with Sony's near-faultless 1080p video transfer and a high-quality lossless audio track that delivers significant aural enjoyment. The disc is packed with over 100 minutes of additional content, including unique extras like a mother-driven commentary track which adds an unusual twist to the typical behind-the-scenes sneak peek. These elements make the package well-rounded for fans who appreciate an abundance of supplementary features.

In conclusion, "The Other Guys" might not reach the pinnacle of action-comedy excellence due to some plot underdevelopment, particularly regarding the villains' scheme, but it still stands out as an outrageously fun and well-acted film worth watching. While not perfect, it remains a highly entertaining option for fans of the genre. The Blu-ray’s superior technical presentation and extensive extras make it a compelling addition to any collection, especially as a rental for a light-hearted movie night. Recommended.