I Love You, Beth Cooper

The video presentation of "I Love You, Beth Cooper" on Blu-ray boasts a commendable 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that does justice to the film's vibrant and detailed cinematography. While it might not compete with the pinnacle of Blu-ray releases, it stands out within its genre, offering a visually pleasing experience from the get-go. The film's opening sequence immediately showcases its visual strengths with brightly colored graduation attire, exhibiting excellent depth and a warm color palette that saturates the imagery beautifully. Clarity remains strong across a variety of shots, from close-ups to those capturing more of the scene. However, it's worth noting that black levels are deep, enhancing shadow detail effectively despite a contrast that can occasionally feel too intense, yet remains fitting for the film's aesthetic. The fine grain structure, though barely visible at typical viewing distances, could become more noticeable in darker scenes without detracting from the overall quality.

In terms of color reproduction and detailing, the Blu-ray does not disappoint, offering a natural and cinematic feel that elevates the viewing experience. Skin tones, despite a slight tendency towards yellow hues, appear well-rendered, which could be attributed to the film's chosen color scheme rather than a flaw in the transfer itself. Moreover, the vividness of primary colors is particularly striking, with reds and greens popping with rich detail, complementing the overall sharpness that brings out the textures in various elements like foliage, fabrics, and intricate patterns. While some technical aspects such as contrast might occasionally miss the mark—resulting in overly bright whites that could affect facial details—the transfer succeeds in providing a visually engaging presentation that highlights fine details with precision.

However, certain production choices, like the use of rear-projection for driving scenes, become more apparent and somewhat detract from the realism in these moments when viewed in high definition. These instances, though minor and largely inconsequential to the film's enjoyment, underscore some of the limitations when translating filming techniques intended for lower resolutions to the clarity afforded by Blu-ray. Nevertheless, these do not significantly mar the overall video quality. In essence, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" benefits from a Blu-ray presentation that manages to bring out the best in its visual composition, maintaining a balance between warmth and detail that complements the film's tone and style.

The Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is competently mixed, providing a solid auditory experience that, while not frequently utilizing its full potential for expansive audio dynamism, effectively amplifies the film's youthful vibe through its loud and vibrant soundtrack. Music is a standout aspect, with pop and rock tracks resonating with weighty bass and detailed highs, enveloping listeners from all angles. This is particularly noticeable during scenes where characters are immersed in music, such as the spirited car rides with Alice Cooper's "School's Out" filling the air. The surround channels are thoughtfully engaged, offering ambient sounds like the background cheers of a graduation or the subtle chirping of crickets, enhancing the film's various settings without overpowering the central dialogue, which remains crisp and forefront.

Audio directionality and spatial placement are handled with care, providing an engaging listening experience that complements the visual elements of the film. Ambient noises and specific sound effects, such as the thunderous approach of a herd of cows or the impactful crash of a Humvee, move through the sound field with a convincing realism that adds a layer of immersion to the viewing experience. The LFE channel is judiciously used not just to bolster the music but also to lend gravity to certain cinematic moments, balancing the overall sound mix.

Overall, while "I Love You, Beth Cooper" may not present a constant barrage of auditory challenges, its Blu-ray audio track makes judicious use of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 setup to create a lively and engaging soundscape. The soundtrack's integration into the surround channels, combined with well-placed effects and clear dialogue, ensures that the audio quality significantly enhances the film's entertainment value, outshining its cinematic merits through technical prowess in sound design.

The Blu-ray extras of "I Love You, Beth Cooper" are a mixed bag. The alternate ending is bizarre and unlikely to satisfy, featuring a bear costume and a shotgun in a scenario that's too outlandish for the film's tone. The deleted scenes, totaling just over 7 minutes, don't add much value, suggesting they were rightfully cut for quality reasons. Among the more insightful extras, "I Love You Larry Doyle" features the writer discussing his intentions behind the screenplay, though it lands with mixed success. The cast profiles in "We Are All Different, But That's A Good Thing" offer some behind-the-scenes camaraderie but don't significantly elevate the overall package. Surprisingly, Paul Rust's improvised "Peanut Butter Toast" skit outshines much of the humor in the film itself. The promotional material and character spotlights with Rust and Hayden Panettiere feel like standard fare, failing to add depth or intrigue to their on-screen characters.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Ending: A departure from the final cut involving a bear costume and a potential sequel setup.
• Deleted Scenes: Four scenes that extend upon the film's content without improving it.
• I Love You Larry Doyle: The writer discusses his attempt to navigate away from teen movie clichés.
• We Are All Different, But That's A Good Thing: Cast members reflect on their characters and on-set experiences.
• Peanut Butter Toast: An improvisational piece by Paul Rust that outshines the film's comedy.
• Fox Movie Channel Presents In Character With Paul Rust: Rust discusses his role in the film.
• Fox Movie Channel Presents In Character With Hayden Panettiere: Panettiere shares her insights on playing Beth Cooper.

"I Love You, Beth Cooper" fails to leave an indelible mark in the lineage of teen comedies, proving itself a tepid homage to the genre's past glories rather than a standout addition. The movie, spearheaded by director Chris Columbus, attempts to navigate the tried-and-true narrative of high school unrequited love, as we follow valedictorian Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) and his overt declaration of affection towards cheerleader Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere) during his graduation speech. This premise, ripe with potential for both humor and drama, instead paves the way for a series of uninspiring slapstick moments and clichéd teen antics that fall flat, overshadowed by the very classics it tries to emulate.

The film's main downfall lies in its execution; it stumbles through a sequence of hackneyed plot points and caricatural character developments, underutilized by a script that lacks originality and wit. Paul Rust, with a previous commendable performance in "Inglourious Basterds," is miscast here, unable to salvage the character of Denis from the depths of stereotype, his portrayal veering more towards irritation than endearment. Hayden Panettiere's Beth Cooper is similarly disappointing, delivered with a blandness that fails to ignite any credible chemistry or narrative complexity. Only Jack Carpenter, in the role of Denis' eccentric friend Rich, provides a semblance of authenticity, shining briefly through the mire with a character that hints at depth beneath the surface.

Technically speaking, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" is a competently shot film, yet it's nowhere near enough to compensate for its narrative shortcomings and tonal inconsistencies. The director's attempt to blend heartfelt sentiment with bawdy comedy misses the mark, leaving the audience stranded in a no-man's-land between empathy and amusement. Overall, the movie exemplifies a missed opportunity to either fully commit to its satirical potential or deliver genuinely touching teen romance, rendering it a forgettable footnote in the genre.

20th Century Fox's Blu-ray release of "I Love You, Beth Cooper" finds itself amidst a competitive week with the studio releasing two other relationship films, namely "Say Anything" and "Two Girls and a Guy". Despite being part of this trio, "Beth Cooper" unfortunately does not stand up to its counterparts. The film itself is likened to a subpar version of "Say Anything", described vividly as “a freeze-dried, desiccated, beef jerky version” of the ’80s teen love classic. This suggests that while the market offers rich and engaging stories of youth and love, "Beth Cooper" sadly falls short in delivering an equally memorable or heartfelt narrative.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation does not mirror the film's lackluster reception. The audio and video quality are highlighted as the silver lining, delivering fine technical presentations that starkly contrast the content they accompany. This excellence in audio-visual standards might attract collectors or fans of the lead actress, Hayden Panettiere, suggesting that the physical qualities of the release are where its primary appeal lies. However, it's made clear that these technical merits alone may not justify a purchase. The recommendation to opt for a rental, especially for admirers of Hayden Panettiere, underscores a cautious approach towards investment in this particular title.

In conclusion, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" struggles to make a significant impact amidst its contemporaries, notably lagging behind in narrative engagement and emotional depth. While the Blu-ray release showcases commendable technical attributes in audio and video presentation, these factors are not sufficient to elevate the overall reception of the film. Potential viewers seeking substance and memorable storytelling in a teen love story are advised to explore other options. The Blu-ray itself may serve as a niche addition to collectors or fans for its technical qualities, but as a cinematic experience, it leaves much to be desired.