Sex Drive Blu-ray Review

Sex Drive" arrives on Blu-ray boasting a vibrant 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that's an eye-opener, particularly for a film in the teen comedy genre which doesn't usually scream 'visual spectacle'. The cinematic quality stands out, reinforcing the film's adventurous summer road trip theme with a sharp, meticulously detailed picture. The color scheme radiates with intensity, especially noticeable in outdoor scenes where the saturation enhances the visual experience without crossing into gaudiness. One can't help but admire the fierce orange/red hue of Rex's GTO as it zooms across the screen, a testament to the transfer's capability to handle dynamic colors in natural sunlight. However, skin tones, while generally appealing and vigorous, tip into the unrealistic zone with a slightly yellow bias under the harsh light.

Despite its relatively modest budget, "Sex Drive" showcases an impressive level of visual fidelity. It effectively dodges the blandness that plagues many of its contemporaries, largely thanks to Tim Orr's evocative cinematography that injects a palpable 'summer of love' atmosphere into each frame. Though the transfer excels in daylight settings with perfect contrast levels that bring out lively textures and details, nighttime scenes slightly diverge in quality. Here, the image sees a dip in vibrancy, presenting blacks that lean towards being mildly washed out, which could detract from the depth of darker sequences. Still, the film maintains a subtle grain structure throughout, preserving its filmic essence without overpowering the picture or detracting from the clarity that defines much of the presentation.

Overall, the Blu-ray presentation of "Sex Drive" delivers a surprisingly robust and visually pleasing image that's sure to please fans and newcomers alike. Its vivid color palette and sharp detail work in tandem to serve up a dazzling viewing experience. While it navigates around potential pitfalls typical to the genre with grace—flaunting lush, well-saturated visuals and avoiding an overly digital feel—minor issues with skin tones and less-than-optimal blacks in low light situations hold it back from perfection. Nonetheless, it stands as a commendable effort that contributes significantly to the film's charm and watchability.

The audio presentation of the "Sex Drive" Blu-ray leaves something to be desired for aficionados craving the immersive depth that HD audio brings to the cinematic experience. The Dolby Digital 5.1 track provided does an adequate job for a film of this genre, focusing on ensuring that the comedy lands with the audience via clear and intelligible dialogue. The mix, while competent, unfortunately fails to leverage the full potential of dynamic range, resulting in an experience that can feel somewhat lacking during music-heavy scenes or when there’s an opportunity for a more vibrant soundscape. Notably, tracks such as MGMT’s "Time To Pretend" fall short of their full auditory impact without the rich bass and crisp highs that a more robust audio track might offer.

Dialogue is anchored well in the front of the mix, making sure that every joke is delivered as intended without being drowned out by background noise or overshadowed by the soundtrack. This prioritization of vocal clarity is undoubtedly a strength of the audio presentation, ensuring that the humor remains front and center. However, the surround channels are underutilized, providing only occasional ambient sounds and minimal directional effects. Scenes that could benefit from a more engaging auditory environment, like Lance’s party, only hint at the possibility rather than fully embracing it. The lack of vibrant rear channel activity contributes to an overall audio experience that, while functional for delivering the film’s comedic content, misses opportunities for enveloping the viewer in a more complete audio atmosphere.

Given these observations, it's clear that while the "Sex Drive" Blu-ray offers an acceptable audio experience that meets the basic requirements of clarity and dialogue intelligibility, it falls short of delivering a truly memorable or immersive auditory experience. The conservative approach to its sound design and mix, particularly in failing to maximize the use of available technology and channel capabilities, means that enthusiasts looking for an audio presentation that matches the energy and fun of the film itself may find it somewhat wanting.

The Blu-ray extras of "Sex Drive" offer an intriguing mix of professional insights and humor, aimed particularly at filmmaking enthusiasts and fans of the movie's offbeat humor. From the candid commentary track with director Sean Anders, John Morris, and Bob Levy, which delves into the filmmaking process with a mix of personal anecdotes and professional insights, to the playful roasting found in features like "The Marsden Dilemma" and "Clark: Duke of the Internet," there's a consistent tone that neither takes itself too seriously nor underestimates the audience's desire for behind-the-scenes knowledge. The "Sex Drive: Making a Masterpiece" featurette stands out by candidly acknowledging the film's less serious aspirations while still offering entertaining insights, differentiating it from more generic making-of documentaries with its self-deprecating humor.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Writer/Director Sean Anders, Writer John Morris, and Producer Bob Levy: Insights into the filmmaking process with a humorous touch.
• Sex Drive: Making a Masterpiece: A making-of featurette that balances sarcasm with behind-the-scenes insights.
• The Marsden Dilemma: A humorous roast of actor James Marsden by the cast and director.
• Clark: Duke of the Internet: Features playful jests aimed at Clark Duke, highlighting his debut film performance.

In the saturated market of 2008's raucous comedy landscape, marked by heavyweight titles such as "Tropic Thunder" and "Pineapple Express," "Sex Drive" wheeled its way into the fray, decidedly aimed at reviving the teen sex comedy genre but with mixed results. Positioned amidst a shifting paradigm where crass humor was increasingly tempered with heartfelt undertones—thanks in part to the influence of Judd Apatow—this film attempts to blend traditional raunchy gags with emotional depth. However, despite its endeavors, "Sex Drive" largely veers towards the former, indulging in a slew of stale jokes and gratuitous nudity that might disappoint viewers seeking beyond the surface laughs.

The plot follows 18-year-old Ian Lafferty, a virgin who embarks on a road trip under false pretenses to meet his online crush, dragging along his friends through various comedic mishaps and revelations. The storyline is a familiar blend of road trip escapades, mistaken identities, and unrequited love, replete with eccentric characters like a sarcastic Amish mechanic played by Seth Green. While the journey is punctuated with moments that aim for laughter, much of the humor tends toward the lowbrow, offering little in terms of novelty or wit. Performances by Josh Zuckerman and Amanda Crew inject some genuine chemistry into their roles, hinting at what could have been a more engaging narrative heart amidst the barrage of explicit jokes and sight gags.

Technically, "Sex Drive" makes an interesting offer with its Blu-ray release, containing both rated-R and an unrated version that extends not only the film’s duration but also its explicit content, fulfilling if not exceeding some viewers' expectations for the genre. The unrated version’s digital insertions of naked figures and additional scenes contribute to a version of the movie that is bloated compared to its theatrical counterpart, indicative of a trend in home releases aimed at drawing in audiences with the promise of more unrestricted content. While "Sex Drive" undeniably commits to its genre's conventions with gusto, it largely traverses well-worn paths without leaving significant new tracks on the road of teen comedies.

Sex Drive" on Blu-ray garnishes a few laughs with its blend of humor, most notably during moments involving a flamboyant donut mascot and Seth Green's portrayal of a sarcastic Amish mechanic. These characters bring a much-needed zest to the film, injecting humor into an otherwise predictable narrative. That said, the movie struggles to distinguish itself within the saturated field of raunchy comedies. It heavily relies on genital humor and fleeting nudity for laughs, which may cater to a certain audience but leaves others wanting more substance or innovation.

The technical presentation of the Blu-ray does little to elevate the experience beyond the standard fare. The film's visual and audio quality are competent but do not stand out as exceptional compared to other titles in the genre available in high definition. This aspect might be less of a concern for viewers prioritizing content over technical prowess, but for aficionados of Blu-ray presentations, it's an area where "Sex Drive" doesn't accelerate.

In conclusion, "Sex Drive" navigates through the crowded lanes of adult comedies without much innovation or flair. While it delivers a few memorable laughs—mostly thanks to quirky side characters—the film overall feels like it's running on fumes, unable to fully engage the viewer or offer a fresh take on its genre. The Blu-ray presentation is adequate but unspectacular, making it suitable for a one-time watch rather than a must-have addition to a collection. Potential viewers might be better served with a rental before deciding if this comedic journey is worth adding to their shelves.