They Came Together Blu-ray Review

"They Came Together" arrives on Blu-ray from Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Captured digitally using the Arri Alexa, the film exhibits a bright and colorful palette that complements its rom-com genre. The vibrant visuals unfold beautifully, highlighting the sumptuous look of Molly's candy shop with clear and vivid detail. Elements such as the blue patterned wallpaper and assorted colorful candies are portrayed with flawless precision. The high-tech setting of Joel's corporate offices is rendered with excellent sharpness, and New York's various locations add to the film’s visual dynamism. The contrast is robust, effectively handling nighttime scenes and dimly lit interiors. There are no observable issues with artifacting or image instability, making for a seamless viewing experience.

The Blu-ray presentation excels in clarity and lifelike detailing, with facial close-ups appearing particularly resolute. Despite its lack of a traditional cinematic look, the film's high-definition TV-like presentation is solid and reliable. Darker areas are well-rendered and non-imposing, eliminating any potential visual distractions. The absence of aliasing, banding, and other common visual artifacts speaks to the transfer's high quality. While the visual presentation might not deliver awe-inspiring moments, it remains consistent, effectively conveying the film's playful and engaging aesthetic without any noticeable flaws.

The audio presentation of "They Came Together" on Blu-ray features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that maintains an appropriately restrained demeanor. Given the Manhattan-centric setting, one might expect more dynamic audio elements, but the mix opts for a balanced approach. Surround sound usage predominantly enhances urban soundscapes, utilizing discrete channels for city noise and background foley effects. Despite this, the mix tends to keep much of the auditory activity within the front channels, focusing mainly on dialogue.

The audio fidelity is commendable, with dialogue presented cleanly and without distortion, primarily through the center channel. This clarity ensures that the comedic elements, essential in a rom-com, are never lost. Instances of directionality are evident when off-screen voices utilize front speakers, adding some variety to the listening experience. The use of surround sound and LFE is subtle yet effective, promoting an ambient city atmosphere without overreaching. While dynamic range is somewhat limited, the audio mix serves its purpose efficiently, providing an enjoyable auditory experience that complements the visual narrative seamlessly.

Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "They Came Together" may not be groundbreaking, but it delivers where it matters most. The focus on clear dialogue and subtle environmental soundscapes ensures viewers remain engaged without unnecessary distractions. In the realm of rom-coms, where audio intricacies often take a backseat, this mix stands out for its precision and balance.

The extras for the Blu-ray of "They Came Together" provide a robust expansion of the film’s comedic universe, though some features are more engaging than others. The audio commentary with Director David Wain and Producer Michael Showalter is unexpectedly formal, delving into the film's lengthy development and production nuances. The "They All Came Together" featurette offers a conventional behind-the-scenes look with informative interviews, albeit in a longer format than typical promotional materials. The San Francisco Sketchfest Table Read presents a full run-through of the script, but its video quality is subpar. Additionally, fans will find a substantial collection of deleted scenes—34 minutes worth—showcasing alternate takes and experimental dialogue that highlight the film's improvisational style.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director David Wain and Producer Michael Showalter discuss the film’s development and production.
• They All Came Together Featurette: Standard EPK with interviews.
• San Francisco Sketchfest Table Read: 2012 table read with middling video quality.
• Deleted Scenes: 34 minutes of alternate takes and experimental dialogue.
• Theatrical Trailer: Standard promotional trailer.

"They Came Together" ambitiously sets out to lampoon the romantic comedy genre in much the same way that "Airplane!" spoofed disaster films. The movie opens with Joel (Paul Rudd) and Molly (Amy Poehler) recounting their love story to friends over dinner, immediately setting a tone of self-aware parody. While the narrative teases numerous rom-com conventions, such as the "meet-cute" and the clash between Joel's corporate candy job and Molly's independent candy store, it often becomes entrapped by the very clichés it aims to ridicule.

The script by David Wain and Michael Showalter sporadically hits the mark with a mix of verbal and visual gags, though many of these lack the cohesive satisfactory payoff seen in classic spoof films. Certain moments—like Joel and Molly both dressing as Benjamin Franklin for Halloween—result in isolated laughs but feel disconnected, failing to construct a synergistic comedic narrative. The movie's tendency to indulge in fourth wall-breaking antics further dilutes its comedic impact, culminating in erratic and uneven humor.

Despite these inconsistencies, Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler’s charming performances manage to buoy the film significantly. Their natural chemistry and affability elevate even the less successful jokes, thereby maintaining viewer engagement. The supporting cast, including Bill Hader, Ellie Kemper, and Ken Marino, contribute solidly though without stretching beyond familiar comic boundaries. While "They Came Together" does not achieve the relentless hilarity of "Airplane!" it offers enough inventive jabs at rom-com tropes to remain moderately entertaining.

"They Came Together" is an enjoyable spoof on romantic comedies that shines primarily due to the chemistry and talent of its lead actors, Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd. The film excels at lampooning the clichés abundant in the rom-com genre, delivering an interconnected series of clever jokes and situational comedy. However, there is a noticeable inconsistency, with the humor ranging from laugh-out-loud moments to instances where jokes simply fall flat. This variability could impact individual enjoyment depending on one's affinity for the comedic styles of Poehler and Rudd.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray edition of "They Came Together" impresses with strong video quality, presenting clear and vibrant visuals that enhance the viewing experience. The audio track, while solid, doesn't particularly stand out but adequately supports the film's comedic beats and dialogue without any discernible issues. The combination of solid technical merits and the engaging performances of the leads makes this Blu-ray a notably reliable choice for fans of smartly written genre parodies.

In conclusion, "They Came Together" manages to be a reasonably amusing film that benefits significantly from its charming leads, Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd. While it never quite reaches the comedic heights of classic spoofs, it's filled with enough cleverness and humor to be thoroughly entertaining. With robust technical aspects, it comes recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a light-hearted satire with strong performances.