Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses, in its Blu-ray incarnation, showcases an impressive 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer that lives up to the film's comedic and aesthetic intentions. The dark comedy's palette, featuring toasty back alleys and deep shadows, plays into the film's theme without compromising the quality of the video presentation. Colors emerge richly saturated yet pleasing, ensuring that contrast remains consistent and black levels are deep, enhancing the film grain without overshadowing it. Fine details are generally crisp and textures meticulously rendered, offering clarity and clean edges without the distractions of aliasing or ringing. Despite minor fluctuations in detail during night scenes and a rare appearance of crush, the overall video quality is commendable for its reliable delineation and absence of artifacting or smearing.

The Totally Inappropriate Edition elevates this experience with its 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode, presenting an image characterized by sharp details, superb textures, and an impressive depth that brings close-ups to life. This edition manages black levels with precision, avoiding black crush even in the darkest scenes and maintaining well-balanced edges. Despite occasional noise and hints of digital noise reduction (DNR), which rarely detract from the viewing experience, this release stands out for its visual clarity and depth. The rare instances of smoothness suggesting DNR do not mar the overall presentation, which remains exceptionally clear and engaging.

In summary, Horrible Bosses on Blu-ray impresses with its striking video quality that faithfully adheres to the filmmakers' vision. Both versions—standard and the Totally Inappropriate Edition—offer viewers a visual treat, combining deep, consistent blacks, vibrant colors, and sharp textures into a presentation that surpasses many comedies in high definition. Although not without its minor flaws, such as occasional noise and detail fluctuation under low light, these issues do little to detract from what is overall a very solid transfer.

The audio presentation of "Horrible Bosses" on Blu-ray, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, offers an experience that is notably clear but ultimately lacks the immersive depth and engaging sound dynamics one might expect from a contemporary comedy film. The track is heavily front-loaded, typical for dialogue-driven content, yet fails to fully utilize the spatial potential of a surround setup, especially in its rear channels. Despite this, the film's music and occasional directional effects are handled well, providing a soundstage that is neither disappointing nor particularly memorable. Dialogue remains the audio track's strong suit, offering crisp, clear, and well-balanced delivery throughout the movie.

However, there's a palpable sense of missed opportunity in creating a rich auditory environment that mirrors the chaos and comedic tension unfolding on screen. Scenes that could have benefited from a lively mix—such as crowded rooms or high-stakes chases—come across as somewhat hollow, lacking the ambient details and rear speaker activity that could have elevated the viewer's immersion. This conservative approach doesn't detract significantly from understanding the plot or enjoying the film's humor but does underscore a certain apathy towards crafting a dynamic audio experience. While the LFE channel contributes appropriately without dominating, and the overall fidelity is commendable, the mix does not venture much beyond providing clear dialogue against a backdrop of underutilized audio landscapes.

In essence, while "Horrible Bosses" delivers an audio experience that is technically proficient with clear dialogue and adequate music representation, it ultimately falls short of delivering a sonically engaging or innovative soundtrack. This results in an audio presentation that feels safe and perhaps overly restrained, leaving listeners with a passably good but undeniably lackluster auditory experience of what could have been a far more vibrant soundscape aligning with the film's comedic thrills.

The "Horrible Bosses" Totally Inappropriate Edition Blu-ray prides itself in offering an extensive array of extras, tailoring a full-bodied experience beyond the main feature. Viewers are treated to both the original 98-minute theatrical release and a more indulgent 106-minute extended cut, catering to varying preferences. Insightful behind-the-scenes segments such as "My Least Favorite Career" and "Surviving a Horrible Boss" lend a personal touch, with cast members sharing anecdotes on their own workplace nightmares. "Being Mean is So Much Fun" allows villains to shine, revealing the joy in portraying such detestable characters. Moreover, the soundtrack's creation is detailed, showcasing a blend of talents from iconic bands, enriching the film's auditory landscape. The inclusion of deleted scenes, including alternate openings, adds depth to the existing narrative framework. Coupled with Digital Copy and BD-Live features, this release ensures a comprehensive digital experience for the fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical and Extended Versions: Two distinct editions offer a choice between the original cinematic experience and an extended delve into workplace horrors.
• My Least Favorite Career (HD): A nostalgic look back with the cast and director at their less-than-fond memories of past bosses.
• Surviving a Horrible Boss (HD): Practical advice mingled with humor on tackling real-life workplace challenges.
• Being Mean is So Much Fun (HD): Cast members relish in their roles as the film's delightfully wicked antagonists.
• The Making of the Horrible Bosses Soundtrack (HD): An exploration into the assembly of the film’s sonic identity, featuring contributions from renowned musicians.
• Deleted Scenes (HD): A collection of scenes omitted from the final cut, offering alternate openings and additional content.
• UltraViolet Digital Copy: A digital version of the movie, enhancing its accessibility via streaming and download options.
• BD-Live Functionality: An interactive feature that expands the viewing experience through connected Blu-ray players.

Horrilble Bosses," directed by Seth Gordon, strikes as a somewhat cathartic exploration of the over-the-top nightmares of corporate and professional life, featuring a trio of employees who've reached their breaking point. Set against the backdrop of 2011's varied comedy landscape, the film carves out a niche with its blend of dark humor and a surprisingly sharp commentary on workplace dynamics. Through the eyes of Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman), Dale Arbus (Charlie Day), and Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis), the audience is taken on a turbulent journey motivated by desperation and a questionable plan to rid themselves of their intolerable supervisors, beautifully portrayed by Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and Colin Farrell.

The casting is the cornerstone of the film, perfectly mixing rising stars with established talent to create an on-screen chemistry that elevates the script's rapid-fire humor and situational comedy. While the titular horrible bosses deliver memorable performances with their distinct brand of tyranny, the true delight resides in the camaraderie among Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis. Their plot to commit the perfect crime unfolds with a mix of naivety and comical ineptitude, providing a solid foundation for the ensuing chaos. Jamie Foxx's role as the dubious murder consultant Motherf#@!er Jones adds a layer of absurdity that complements the trio's dynamic well.

Despite its strengths, "Horrible Bosses" can at times feel slightly disjointed, with pace and focus wavering between the protagonists’ escapades and their bosses’ outrageousness. The film manages to navigate these shifts with a steady flow of laughs and cringe-worthy scenarios that resonate with anyone who's ever felt slighted by a superior. While not all jokes land as intended—Aniston's character arguably straddles the line between humor and discomfort—the film’s unapologetic approach to comedy and stellar ensemble cast firmly secures its place as a noteworthy entry in the year's comedic offerings.

Horrible Bosses" finds its strength not in reinventing the comedic genre but in its relatable premise, stellar cast, and humorous execution that arguably elevates it above many of its 2011 comedic peers, including the sequel to "The Hangover." Its appeal lies in the universality of its central conflict—a sentiment echoed by anyone who's ever found themselves under the thumb of an intolerable supervisor. The Blu-ray release mirrors this solid performance with a commendable video transfer that captures the film's visual gags and expressions with clarity. However, it's somewhat let down by its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, which, while solid, doesn't quite meet the expectations set by the film's robust comedic delivery and timing.

The package's content—spanning across two BD-50 discs—provides viewers with two versions of the film, an inclusion that extends its appeal and offers a sort of two-for-one value that many releases shy away from. Despite the wealth of content, including 35 minutes of bonus features that feel somewhat lacking in depth, the overall supplemental material leaves a bit more to be desired. This aspect, paired with the slightly underwhelming audio experience, presents a mixed bag in terms of added value beyond the film's inherent merits.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "Horrible Bosses" stands as a worthy addition to the library of any fan of the comedy genre, particularly those looking for a film that balances relatability with escapism. While it excels in video quality and offers generous film content, it slightly falters in delivering an extraordinary audio experience and a fully satisfying array of extras. Nonetheless, its core offering—a hilariously executed take on a universally understood plight—ensures it remains a recommended purchase for those seeking laughter derived from the darker corners of workplace dynamics.