The Hustle Blu-ray Review

"The Hustle" Blu-ray delivers a visually stunning experience that benefits from its digital 2.8K Arri Alexa origins, masterfully upscaled to 4K before being transferred to a 1080p disc. The presentation is vibrant and richly detailed, capturing the picturesque French Riviera with sharp, natural colors. From Penny's bright pink and yellow scuba suit to her glittering red ballroom gown, every color is beautifully rendered against the amber and black backgrounds of the casinos. Fine details like the stitching in clothing and the intricate lines and textures on faces are impressively clear, while environments remain sharp and dimensional.

Contrast is finely tuned, exhibiting excellent dynamic range that enriches both light and dark scenes. Blacks are deep and solid, enhancing the overall image depth. Skin tones are perfectly balanced and appear naturally varied among the diverse cast. The high definition detail extends across a variety of locations, with complexions and attire portrayed with remarkable clarity. Even subtle makeup textures and pore details come to life in close-ups, creating a vivid, intimate viewing experience.

Despite a few instances of banding and occasional minor softness, "The Hustle" Blu-ray stands out as an exceptional visual presentation from Universal. Noise is minimally intrusive and primarily evident in low-light conditions, doing little to detract from the overall quality. Fans of the film will be delighted by the vibrant, detailed, and almost flawless 1080p rendering that captures the film's eclectic visual palette with precision and brilliance.

The Hustle" on Blu-ray presents a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack, which expertly balances energy and precision. From the outset, the track is vibrant, with music and effects seamlessly utilizing the entire 7.1 configuration. The sound design immerses the listener with a lively score and sharp effects, such as the low end-intense dance beats in chapter 14, and nuanced details like the rumbly train in chapter three, jet engines in chapter five, and rolling ocean waves in chapter six. These elements demonstrate exceptional volume, clarity, and precise placement, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The audio mix is commendable for a comedy, offering an unexpectedly deep soundstage. Music and additional effects are effectively dispersed across all seven channels, while the LFE channel provides robust low-end support to dramatic moments, such as crashes and impactful environmental sounds. Despite the track's strong ambient utilization, dialogue remains consistently clear and well-prioritized from a front-center position, maintaining lucidity throughout the film. While the genre inherently limits some immersive potential of a 7.1 mix, the audio presentation is still engaging and well-executed, creating a dynamic auditory experience that complements the visual hilarity of "The Hustle.

The Blu-ray release of "The Hustle" is a robust package for fans, featuring insightful extras that enhance the viewing experience. It includes three well-crafted featurettes, each offering a layered perspective on the film's production and performances. The inclusion of director Chris Addison's audio commentary provides depth through detailed exploration of the film’s tone, characters, and behind-the-scenes intricacies. Additionally, a DVD copy and a digital copy code, compatible with iTunes, are bundled with this release, making it a comprehensive offering.

Extras included in this disc:

Hitting the Mark: Cast and crew discuss the gender switch and adaptation choices.

Comedy Class: Examination of lead performances by Hathaway and Wilson.

Con Artists: Insight into the contributions of the larger cast and crew.

Audio Commentary: Director Chris Addison discusses the film in detailed verbal commentary.

"The Hustle," a remake of the iconic 1988 film "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," follows the escapades of two con artists—Josephine Chesterfield (Anne Hathaway) and Penny Rust (Rebel Wilson). The gender-flipped narrative centers on their unlikely partnership and rivalry as they attempt to swindle a naïve tech mogul, Thomas (Alex Sharp). Hathaway shines with her sophisticated portrayal reminiscent of Michael Caine's original role, bringing class and poise to the high-stakes cons. Wilson, on the other hand, offers a more brash, physical comedy style that can be polarizing. While her self-deprecating humor resonates with some, it often feels repetitive.

The film follows the original plot points so closely it borders on predictability, yet the dynamic between Hathaway and Wilson adds a fresh, albeit uneven, layer. While Hathaway’s character maintains an air of elegance and calculated cunning, Wilson’s character relies heavily on physical comedy and crude humor, which oscillates between amusing and tiresome. Their contrasting styles highlight the strength in Hathaway's poised delivery but expose weaknesses in Wilson's comedic timing.

Despite its potential, "The Hustle" falls into the trap of being a near beat-for-beat recreation of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." The film suffers from a lack of original substance and struggles to establish its own identity. Characters are introduced only to disappear without resolution, and jokes often fall flat. The casting choices provide some highlights with Hathaway excelling in her role; however, the overall experience is hindered by a script that never fully realizes its ambitions or executes its comedic potential. While the film might entertain those unfamiliar with its predecessors, it offers little new for fans of the original.

"The Hustle" on Blu-ray is a mixed bag that ultimately leans on the strengths of its technical execution and the charm of its leads. Anne Hathaway delivers a delightful performance with a sense of posh confidence, while Rebel Wilson brings her usual comedic vigor, though herself being a weaker link. The film essentially mirrors the plot of the 1988 classic "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" without much deviation, albeit with a few modern twists. The sight gags and enthusiastic performances provide occasional laughs, making the film intermittently amusing but not groundbreaking.

Technically, the Blu-ray edition from Universal excels with stunning video quality displayed in a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio and robust audio delivered through DTS-HD MA 7.1. The clean, high-definition visuals are highlighted by excellent color reproduction and sharp detail, enhancing the film's modern comedic antics. Supplementary content is moderate but enriching enough to warrant attention from fans. The audio tracks, available in English, French, and Spanish, further elevate the viewing experience, offering clear dialogue and dynamic sound effects.

In conclusion, despite its lackluster script and forgettable storyline, "The Hustle" manages to be moderately entertaining thanks to Hathaway's charm and the technical superiority of Universal's Blu-ray release. While it may not be a film that stands out in today's cinematic landscape, the high-quality presentation makes it a viable choice for fans looking for a rental. With commendable video and audio quality, "The Hustle" offers an enjoyable home viewing experience even if the film itself falls short of being memorable. Recommended primarily as an entertaining rental.