Kevin Hart: What Now? Blu-ray Review

"Kevin Hart: What Now?" delivers a 1080p HD transfer in a theatrical 2.40:1 aspect ratio, offering a solid digital presentation that demonstrates commendable clarity and texture. The detailed imagery allows viewers to observe subtle nuances such as the beads of sweat on Kevin Hart's face, intricate clothing details including Hart's leather jacket and finely stitched tuxedo, as well as the impeccably rendered wrinkles and individual hairs during close-ups. The digital source material delivers consistently sharp detail with realistic skin textures and natural tones, making it a reliable transfer.

The color palette, while not overwhelmingly vibrant, shows decent stability and saturation. Primary colors are highlighted effectively in the backdrop—most notably the blue and red stages—which enhances the visual appeal during Hart's stand-up performance. The gold jewelry and sneakers provide occasional pops of vibrancy. Contrast is notably effective, with deep, inky blacks contributing to the overall immersive viewing experience. Although there are minor issues with aliasing and banding, they remain insignificant enough not to detract from the overall presentation quality.

The 2.40:1 aspect ratio enhances the Bond-esque prologue and opening credits, lending a convincing spy film aesthetic. The widescreen format maintains impressive sharpness, detail, and authentic color densities throughout the film. While the transfer may not be groundbreaking in terms of Blu-ray offerings, it successfully meets the standard expectations with solid technical fidelity, offering an engaging and visually coherent depiction of Kevin Hart’s performance for fans and new viewers alike.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "Kevin Hart: What Now?" delivers a generally competent audio experience, although it falls short of being extraordinary. The opening and closing narrative segments enrich the soundscape with engaging elements like gunfire and helicopter flyovers, contributing a strong dynamic range. The accompanying music provides a solid low end, adding depth without venturing into distortion. During the stand-up portion, Kevin Hart’s dialogue is notably clear, precise, and naturally positioned in the front-center, even carrying a subtle reverberation to mimic the vastness of the stadium setting.

Despite these strengths, the crowd noise often lacks the precision needed to recreate a live atmosphere fully. The rear channels contribute ambient noises effectively during narrative scenes but fail to deliver the necessary depth for audience laughter during the stand-up section, restricting it mostly to the front speakers. While the technical aspects like the crispness and clarity of Hart's dialogue are well-executed and free from common audio imperfections like pops and hisses, the overall experience remains somewhat flat for an AV presentation of this stature. Nevertheless, for a stand-up comedy performance, the audio does what is required, providing a basic yet serviceable sound experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Kevin Hart: What Now?" offer an engaging and comprehensive look behind the scenes, appealing to both fans and casual viewers. The content ranges from alternate takes to intricate behind-the-scenes featurettes, all presented in high-definition. The "Alternate Opening" offers a humorous take led by Chris Rock, while the "Deleted/Alternate Scenes" provide additional laughs and context. The "Gag Reel" keeps the outtakes lively and entertaining. In-depth insights come from "Making of a Spy Intro," with commentary from Kevin Hart, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, and director Tim Story. The "On Tour with Kevin Hart" featurette spans multiple cities, showcasing various aspects of Hart's life on the road, from rehearsals to downtime moments, providing an intimate look at his tour experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Opening: Chris Rock gives a tour of Hart's Philadelphia hotel.
• Deleted/Alternate Scenes: A mix of five scenes.
• Gag Reel: Outtakes from the prologue and coda.
• Making of a Spy Intro: Insights into the film’s opening and closing segments.
• On Tour with Kevin Hart: Behind-the-scenes of Hart’s comedy tour across various cities.

Kevin Hart: What Now? is a dynamic blend of comedy and cinematic intrigue, directed by Tim Story. The special is divided into two segments: a high-octane, James Bond-like mini-movie and a highly energetic stand-up performance. While the mini-movie does not break any new ground, it adds an engaging twist to the conventional format of comedy specials. Kevin Hart plays a suave secret agent involved in a high-stakes poker game, featuring notable cameos from Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, and Ed Helms. The mini-movie is packed with explosive set pieces and entertaining homages to spy films like 007 and The Equalizer, making for an amusing prelude and conclusion to Hart's live act.

The main attraction is Hart's stand-up routine, set against the backdrop of a massive Philadelphia crowd. Sporting black leather and gold chains, Hart delves into a variety of topics with his characteristic high energy and expressive physicality. His material, spanning subjects from raccoons to sex toys and Starbucks, is versatile yet seamlessly connected through expert transitions. Though the content is adult-oriented and laden with street language, it remains mostly PG-rated in nature, save for a few raunchy segments. Hart's facial expressions and vocal delivery are over-the-top, which enhances his performance but may lack the subtlety seen in legendary comedians like Richard Pryor.

Technically, What Now? benefits from multiple camera angles capturing Hart’s stage presence, although some may find the frequent audience reaction shots excessive. The use of video screens behind the star adds a creative visual layer to his storytelling. Despite some repetitive punchlines and moments that might be better with on-screen partners like Ice Cube or Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Hart's ability to engage and entertain his audience remains evident. Overall, Kevin Hart: What Now? offers a humorous, albeit familiar, comedy experience punctuated by enjoyable cinematic bookends.

"Kevin Hart: What Now?" delivers an engaging comedy special that combines Hart's signature high-energy humor with an entertaining twist. By bookending the stand-up routine with a big-budget action-comedy sequence featuring notable cameos, Hart injects a fresh narrative approach into the traditional format. This blend of stand-up and cinematic flair not only stretches the runtime but also provides a fun and whimsical experience for both Hart and the audience. The core of the special remains Hart's vibrant stand-up performance, tackling a variety of topics with his characteristic wit, sharp delivery, and impeccable timing.

Universal's Blu-ray release of "Kevin Hart: What Now?" comes with commendable video and audio quality. The visual presentation is crisp and vibrant, capturing the lively atmosphere of Hart’s performance, while the audio fidelity ensures that every punchline and audience reaction is delivered with clarity. Additionally, the Blu-ray package includes supplemental materials that add value, making it a worthwhile addition for fans of Hart's comedy.

In conclusion, while "Kevin Hart: What Now?" does not revolutionize the stand-up comedy genre, it effectively combines conventional comedy with inventive narrative elements. The high-energy performance and technical quality of the Blu-ray make it a recommended purchase for anyone looking to enjoy a night of laughter with one of today’s top comedians. The inclusion of bonus content further enhances the overall entertainment value.