Accepted Blu-ray Review
Score: 67
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Accepted offers a witty, balanced college satire with solid Blu-ray video and audio, plus ample bonus content. Recommended for its smart humor and future stars.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 82
Mill Creek's Blu-ray release of 'Accepted' impresses with a natural grain structure and sharp, vibrant colors, leveraging Universal's HD transfer. The 2.35:1 presentation offers fantastic clarity and depth, with inky black levels and healthy contrast, making this one of the best-looking catalog films from the early Hi-Def era.
Audio: 62
Accepted's Blu-ray release is notable for its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack offering well-rounded audio with clear dialogue, effective musical support, and significant front-channel presence, though surround activity is limited.
Extra: 51
Accepted's Blu-ray extras offer a comprehensive package including a humorous audio commentary, insightful featurettes like 'The Making of Accepted' and 'Adam’s Accepted Chronicles,' a spirited gag reel, and deleted scenes, all primarily in 480i. The exclusion of two music videos and the HD DVD-exclusive 'U-Control' doesn't significantly detract from the overall experience.
Movie: 66
Accepted balances wit, charm, and a hint of heart at its center, blending traditional college comedy with a fresh perspective on the value of education amid rising tuition costs. With an energetic cast led by Justin Long and memorable cameos, its humor contrasts the outcasts with the elite in a fun, politically incorrect satire on modern campus life.
Video: 82
Mill Creek's Blu-ray release of "Accepted" impressively showcases the 2006 comedy at 1080P resolution, utilizing a transfer from Universal. The source material appears to stem from a 2K digital intermediate, reflecting the meticulous care in its handling. Shot on film, the Blu-ray retains a natural grain structure that is light, organic, and consistent throughout. This gives the video a pleasing, film-like appearance. The color palette is vibrant, with bold hues that maintain saturation, and skin tones that are healthy and natural. The blacks are deep and maintain excellent shadow delineation, especially noticeable in the well-lit scenes that highlight the pristine video quality. Minor background noise is present in some scenes but does not detract significantly from the overall quality.
The fidelity of the Blu-ray's image is notable for its sharpness and dynamic definition, revealing intricate details in faces, clothes, and settings, particularly the dilapidated state of the makeshift school. The clarity and depth exuded by the 2.35:1 presentation elevate the viewing experience significantly. Despite Mill Creek's mixed reputation among videophiles, this release proves to be a commendable effort. The use of AVC encoding for the 92-minute feature is adequate, offering consistent performance for the high-definition video. Universal's decision to include "Accepted" in their HD DVD catalog years ago is justified by the film’s enduring visual quality, which remains compelling amidst today's high-def standards.
Overall, "Accepted" on Blu-ray stands out as one of the better-looking catalog titles from the early high-def era. It offers fans a richly detailed and visually satisfying presentation that capitalizes on modern tech advancements while preserving the film’s original aesthetic integrity.
Audio: 62
"Accepted" delivers an articulate and well-rounded DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, enhancing the overall viewing experience with its high-definition audio clarity. The presentation, an improvement over the original Dolby Digital Plus audio of the HD DVD edition, exhibits expertly balanced elements allowing for a natural and effortless playback of music across the soundstage. While primarily front-oriented, with most discrete activity concentrated in the three front channels, the soundtrack doesn't neglect peripheral engagement. Rowdy crowd scenes are notably immersive, boasting detailed and organic surround execution that contributes to a more captivating experience.
Dialogue remains crystal clear and centrally prioritized, ensuring it's always understandable above the accompanying background score and sound effects. Although the low-frequency effects are modest in most scenes—with the notable exception of a rock music sequence around the 59-minute mark and some action scenes featuring splashes and explosions—the bass is well-integrated and sufficiently supportive without being overwhelming. The dynamics, despite being somewhat reserved in the rear channels, provide essential atmospheric depth and maintain the audio's overall fidelity and coherence. For those who require it, optional English SDH subtitles are available in a white font that remains consistently readable within the scope presentation.
Extras: 51
The Blu-ray extras for "Accepted" are a well-curated collection offering valuable insights and humorous behind-the-scenes content from the production of the film. Led by Director Steve Pink and featuring actors Jonah Hill, Justin Long, Lewis Black, and Adam Herschman, this set provides an engaging commentary filled with entertaining anecdotes and reflections on the filmmaking process. Standouts include "Adam's Accepted Chronicles," where Adam Herschman humorously dissects his method acting approach, and "The Making of Accepted," a featurette that creatively delves into Steve Pink's directorial vision and the cast's contributions. The extras are rounded out by deleted scenes and a gag reel, both offering additional layers of enjoyment for fans.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: Director Steve Pink and actors humorously break down the movie.
- Adam's Accepted Chronicles: Humorous actor prep.
- The Making of Accepted: Insightful director and cast featurette.
- Campus Tour: Behind-the-scenes clips.
- Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes.
- Gag Reel: Humorous moments from the shoot.
Movie: 66
"Accepted" is a 2006 comedy that dives into the relevance and perceived value of a college education through the lens of humor and satire. Directed by Steve Pink, the film features Justin Long as Bartleby Gaines, a high school graduate who, after facing a slew of rejections from various colleges, takes matters into his own hands. The narrative cleverly mirrors contemporary discussions about the cost-benefit analysis of higher education, highlighting issues such as exorbitant tuition fees and diminishing returns on degrees in certain fields. Bartleby’s solution to create an entirely fictitious college, the South Harmon Institute of Technology (S.H.I.T.), is both hilariously implausible and surprisingly reflective of current societal questions.
The movie's success lies in its charming cast and engaging premise. Justin Long leads competently, balancing his character’s comedic and heartfelt moments with equal proficiency. Jonah Hill, Blake Lively, and Lewis Black add considerable dynamism to the ensemble, each delivering performances that complement Long's. The film stands out by grounding its comedic elements in relatable struggles, portraying Bartleby and his peers as driven individuals who reinvent their failures into innovative opportunities for self-discovery. Notably, while the movie contains some raunchy humor typical of teen comedies, it places greater emphasis on character development and narrative cohesion.
Despite its contrived plot and politically incorrect humor, "Accepted" earns commendation for its energetic and cohesive execution. The film features a mix of absurdity and sincere moments, offering a satirical take on the traditional collegiate experience without devolving into mean-spiritedness. Its PG-13 rating belies content that pushes boundaries, flirting with what might typically be expected in R-rated comedies. The satirical undertones reference early 2000s pop culture and establish a playful yet critical perspective on higher education's traditional paradigms. Overall, "Accepted" is an entertaining exploration of unconventional routes to self-fulfillment, blending humor with poignant commentary on societal expectations.
Total: 67
Accepted on Blu-Ray delivers a robust viewing experience for fans of comedy. This film, directed by Steve Pink, is a witty and slightly unconventional take on the ups and downs of college life, starring future heavyweights like Blake Lively and Jonah Hill. The storyline balances humor and heart, maintaining a charming narrative without delving too deeply into crassness. This makes it an enjoyable watch for a broad audience, providing just the right mix of satire and entertainment.
The technical aspects of the Blu-Ray are commendable. The video quality is crisp, with vivid colors and clear detailing that enhance the viewing experience. The audio presentation is equally strong, delivering clear dialogue and well-balanced effects that complement the comedic elements of the film. The overall production values captured in this Blu-Ray are considerably high, ensuring viewers get the most out of their home theater setups.
Additionally, the disc includes a healthy array of bonus content, which is both entertaining and insightful. These extras add value to the Blu-Ray, offering fans a deeper look into the making of the film and additional laughs along the way.
Accepted earns a passing grade for building a more than serviceable entertainer. The movie is witty and even a little smart, well-balanced, and not so perverse as to lose sight of its story. Mill Creek's Blu-ray is very sound, delivering quality video and audio presentations and a perfectly healthy allotment of bonus content. Recommended.
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 80
The picture is sharp and pleasing, revealing every core element -- faces, clothes, and the makeshift school -- particularly in its dilapidated state -- with effortless sharpness and definition....
Audio: 80
The low end is not worked hard in most instances (a burst of Hard Rock music in the 59-minute mark being a notable exception), but its musical support is integral, even if somewhat light....
Extras: 50
The Making of Accepted (480i, 10:10): Exploring Steve Pink's directorial work, story details, creativity on the set, cast and performances, and more....
Movie: 60
He brings equal parts charm, heart, and drive the part, helped enormously by a script that doesn't automatically reduce its characters to the lowest common denominator in order to facilitate the typical...
Total: 70
The movie is witty and even a little smart, well balanced, and not so perverse as to lose sight of its story....
DoBlu review by Christopher ZabelRead review here
Video: 100
The AVC encode is adequate enough for the glossy video, given a BD-25 with serviceable parameters....
Audio: 60
Optional English SDH subtitles play in a white font, residing almost entirely within the scope presentation....
Extras: 60
Budget label Mill Creek has come to the rescue, licensing Accepted from Universal and most of the special features found on the original HD DVD....
Movie: 80
While it’s not the inspired zaniness of Animal House, Accepted is light entertainment that pits pompous college types against a lovable bunch of outcasts....
Total: 75
Irreverent and funny satire about college life featuring future stars Blake Lively and Jonah Hill....
Director: Steve Pink
Actors: Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Blake Lively
PlotBartleby Gaines faces rejection from all the colleges he applies to, leaving him in a desperate situation. To solve his predicament and avoid disappointing his parents, he creates a fake college, the South Harmon Institute of Technology (S.H.I.T.), with the help of his similarly rejected high school friends. They manage to lease an abandoned building and set up a website for prospective students, not anticipating the consequences of their actions.
Unexpectedly, hundreds of applicants flock to their fictitious institution, seeking an alternative to traditional academia. To maintain the ruse and avoid legal trouble, the group improvises a unique, student-driven curriculum that encourages creative learning and personal growth. Their unconventional methods gain popularity, attracting attention and scrutiny from nearby Harmon College. Bartleby and his friends must navigate these challenges while grappling with questions about authenticity, ambition, and the true purpose of higher education.
Writers: Mark Perez, Adam Cooper, Bill Collage
Release Date: 18 Aug 2006
Runtime: 93 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English