Norbit Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Norbit" delivers an array of experiences, showcased through its 1080p resolution across different aspect ratios, notably 1.85:1 and 1.78:1. The movie's visuals are marked by a generally good level of detail, minimal softness (with noted exceptions in scenes featuring Thandie Newton), and a striking, vivid color palette that is essentially anchored by the bright and varied costumes. However, it exhibits a hazy to foggy appearance in places, likely an intentional stylistic choice, which results in a warm, slightly unnatural look. Although colors are abundant and skin tones and blacks hold up solidly, there's an evident lack of vibrancy and punch in the overall imagery, with the detailed portrayal of clothing and textures being a redeeming factor.

Critiques arise from the treatment of colors and contrast; they are too saturated in some instances, leading to an overblown contrast that diminishes the visual appeal. This saturation causes colors to sometimes smear, particularly affecting flesh tones which tend to appear pasty and unpleasant. The image also carries a consistent noise level that verges on distraction, alongside an overarching flatness due to compromised detail levels. Despite these shortcomings, the transfer's attempt to provide a film-like quality with a fine grain veneer is noticeable, although overshadowed by the transfer's noisy aspect and the occasional bloom in whites due to overly hot contrast.

In summation, "Norbit's" Blu-ray video quality presents a mixed bag that teeters between commendably detailed textures and vibrant settings to problematic color saturation and contrast handling. While it successfully captures the exaggerated, comic-book essence of its visuals with profound blacks and a generally clean source, the execution falls short of bringing the best out of high-definition capabilities. The presence of noise and softness across the image, coupled with an uneven color presentation, sets this release apart from higher standards expected in new high-def releases, making it an underwhelming experience for viewers seeking visual fidelity.

The audio component of "Norbit" on Blu-ray features a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track, presenting a standard experience that, while capable, feels underwhelming given the potential of the Blu-ray format. Fans and purists might note the absence of an Uncompressed PCM track, a loss that might not drastically affect the enjoyment of the film but certainly limits its sonic depth. Dialogue remains clear and intelligible throughout the film, capturing Eddie Murphy's varied vocal performances well along with the more vibrant sound effects that punctuate Rasputia's antics, offering some engagement through surround channels. However, the mix tends to favor the center channel heavily, leaving much to be desired in terms of ambient sound and spatial audio distribution.

The soundtrack's dynamic range is described as average, with occasional moments where surround sound effects and bass manage to enhance key scenes, such as those at the water park, providing slight reprieve from an otherwise flat audio presentation. Unfortunately, these moments are sparse and fail to consistently exploit the surround sound landscape. Additionally, dialogue levels are inconsistently mixed, at times requiring adjustments to volume to catch Murphy's character-specific nuances. Music integration into the audio mix also suffers, mainly residing within the center channel and lacking the breadth or envelopment one might expect from more robust audio tracks.

Despite these limitations, "Norbit's" audio presentation does not deter from the overall enjoyment of the film for casual listeners. Yet, for audiophiles or those expecting a more immersive audio experience from their Blu-ray viewings, the track may disappoint. Both background and subtle environmental sounds tend to be front-loaded with minimal spatial variance, diminishing the potential for a truly immersive auditory experience. While it handles its basic tasks competently—ensuring dialogue clarity and punctuating scenes with necessary effects—the track ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to elevate "Norbit" through its audio craftsmanship.

The Blu-ray release of "Norbit" presents a modest yet insightful collection of extras that dive into the technical and creative processes behind the film. Paramount offers a well-structured compilation, featuring behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast and crew, including Eddie Murphy, and high-definition presentations of the main featurettes. "The Making of Norbit" provides an engaging look at the conceptualization and realization of the film, with particular attention to Murphy's extensive role preparation and character transformations, courtesy of makeup legend Rick Baker. Despite its concise format, "Man of a Thousand Faces" accentuates the remarkable makeup work, pivotal in Murphy's portrayal of multiple characters. "The Stunts of Norbit," while revealing, perhaps demystifies too much of the on-screen magic but remains an informative piece for enthusiasts. The compilation is rounded off by a selection of deleted scenes offering additional context and humor, a quirky mock infomercial, a photo gallery showcasing behind-the-scenes moments, and the theatrical trailer. All extras are presented in high-definition where applicable, enhancing the visual experience for the viewer. Paramount may not offer groundbreaking material in these extras, but the provided content enriches the "Norbit" viewing experience with appreciable detail and clarity, making it a worthy addition for fans and collectors alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Norbit: Insightful featurette with cast and crew interviews, focusing on the film's creation, Eddie Murphy's roles, and the makeup and wardrobe processes.
• Man of a Thousand Faces: A brief exploration of Eddie Murphy's character transformations through makeup.
• The Stunts of Norbit: A look behind the curtain at the stunt work in the film, with storyboards and crew commentary.
• Deleted Scenes: An assortment of 14 scenes that didn't make the final cut.
• Power Tap: A mock infomercial featuring Marlon Wayans' character from the film.
• Photo Gallery: A compilation of around 60 production stills.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original trailer for "Norbit", presented in high definition.

Eddie Murphy's "Norbit" emerges as a peculiar enigma within his filmography, marked by an unexpected deviation into darker comedic territory that clashes with the anticipatory set-up of another lighthearted, family-friendly venture. The movie’s attempt to navigate through adult humor, embellished with visual gags, leads to a disjointed viewing experience. Its fidelity to presenting Murphy in multifaceted roles – a talent once celebrated – now seems to serve as a diminishing return, overshadowing the actor's known comedic brilliance. This transition appears less a testament to versatility and more a showcasing of a caricatured repetition, particularly highlighted in Murphy’s portrayal of Rasputia, which fails to invigorate amid recycled aesthetics from earlier works like "The Nutty Professor." Amidst the film’s vivid video quality and adequate audio presentation on Blu-ray, "Norbit" struggles to reconcile its comedic aims with the depth and originality requisite for memorable cinema.

The narrative core of "Norbit," delineating a tale of love lost and found within the confines of an oppressive marriage to the overpowering Rasputia, is intermittently touching yet largely overshadowed by the film's reliance on superficial humor and stereotypes. While moments of genuine sweetness and charm exist, particularly in Norbit's youthful memories and rekindled affection for Kate, these are sporadically diluted by the intrusion of exaggerated comedic sequences that betray the film's fleeting sincerity. The surrounding cast and plot devices, though potentially ripe for exploration, remain underdeveloped, serving instead as mere backdrops to Murphy's expansive yet uninspired character renditions.

"Norbit's" release timing and presentation, especially in proximity to Murphy’s acclaimed performance in "Dreamgirls," posits an interesting reflection on the actor's career trajectory and choices. The dissonance between the actor's potential for award-winning roles and his continued inclination towards underwhelming comedies symbolizes a broader critique of not only Murphy's artistic evolution but also of Hollywood's penchant for typecasting its luminaries. While "Norbit" incorporates the technical attributes necessary for a solid Blu-ray experience, the film ultimately symbolizes a missed opportunity for both narrative depth and comedic innovation, leaving audiences contemplating what could have been had Murphy and the film sought to transcend the confines of its recycled premises and explored the untapped potential within its conceptual boundaries.

In examining the Blu-ray release of "Norbit," a film where Eddie Murphy extends his repertoire of latex-clad characters, the consensus leans heavily towards disappointment both in terms of the film's content and its physical presentation. Descriptors like "minimalist," "generic," and "forgettable" frequently surface, painting a picture of a project lacking both originality and substantive humor. This mirrors sentiments around its physical counterpart, where the Blu-ray disc offers a merely decent video transfer and a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack that doesn't stand out amidst a landscape where exceptional audiovisual experiences are increasingly the norm. The extras, mentioned as throwaway or nothing memorable, further cement this release as underwhelming.

The heart of the discourse on "Norbit" as a cinematic work lies in its failure to depart from a tried-and-tested formula that Murphy has previously succeeded with, notably in "The Nutty Professor." Unfortunately, "Norbit" does not capture the same magic, falling short in delivering both humor and novelty. Similarly, the technical aspects of the Blu-ray, from its video quality to its audio reproduction, receive critiques for being just fair or mediocre, indicating a release that does not fully leverage the potential of the format. Supplemental materials, often a redeeming feature for such releases, fail to add significant value, leading to a consensus that this is a Blu-ray to pass on rather than pick up.

Conclusively, "Norbit" on Blu-ray struggles to make its mark both as a film and as a home media release. From its uninspiring narrative and performance to the lackluster technical presentation and forgettable extras, it stands as a clear example of missed opportunities in leveraging Eddie Murphy's talents and the Blu-ray format's capabilities. For those seeking the comedic brilliance often associated with Murphy's work, revisiting earlier successes might offer a more rewarding experience than this latest offering, which is perhaps best left on the shelf.