High School Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "High School" delivers a stunning 1080p transfer that stands out as one of Anchor Bay's most impressive releases to date. The image quality is remarkably filmic, capturing crisp, consistent, and complex details throughout the frame. Intricate elements like skin textures, clothing, household items, and surface materials are rendered with pinpoint accuracy. The transfer is consistently sharp and well-defined, with true-to-life colors that remain balanced and natural, exhibiting a slightly warm tone that enhances the viewing experience. The presentation excels in terms of black levels and flesh tones, maintaining clarity without any significant signs of wear such as banding, aliasing, or edge enhancement.

The film retains a natural, warm color palette that particularly shines in the darker scenes. In sequences such as those inside Psycho Ed's house, vibrant colors and intricate facial details stand out prominently. The green toad and Ed's blood-red eyes, for example, are vividly rendered. Facial features such as Adrien Brody's scraggly beard and tattoos are captured with superb detail, even in lower light conditions. The transfer's inky blacks and well-delineated shadows contribute to the depth and dimension of the picture, avoiding any flatness or unresolved areas. Overall, this high-definition presentation brilliantly preserves the film's original aesthetic, offering viewers an impressive visual experience that mirrors its Sundance debut.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack on the Blu-ray presentation of "High School" is technically proficient, though it does leave much to be desired in terms of sonic engagement. The audio mix consistently delivers clear dialogue, crucial for understanding the hushed, guttural whispers of Adrien Brody's character, firmly grounded in the center channel. Music predominantly occupies the front channels, with a decent spread that enhances the listening experience without overshadowing dialogue. Minor but effective ambient sounds, such as the light din of school hallways or the subtle echo within a gymnasium, are delivered via the side speakers. However, noteworthy surround sound moments are sparingly implemented, leaving the rear speakers underutilized.

The soundtrack does a satisfactory job in maintaining clarity and refinement across its elements but tends to lack immersive quality, particularly in scenes that demand a richer soundscape. For instance, during a scene featuring a kid performing a skateboard stunt in a bustling cafeteria, the rear channels fail to fully capture the ambient noises, resulting in only a smattering of crowd reactions making it to the rear speakers. This trend persists throughout the film, where environments filled with students and echo-filled hallways do not translate into an enveloping auditory experience.

While bass is reserved for hip-hop beats on the soundtrack and specific action sequences such as Psycho Ed's house scenes and several car wrecks, these elements are delivered effectively but do not compensate for the overall missed opportunity to incorporate a more comprehensive ambient sound profile. Ultimately, the mix is clear and technically sound but remains a simple track that lacks dynamic range and memorable auditory elements.

The Blu-ray release of "High School" boasts a concise yet informative selection of extras that complements the film well. The Audio Commentary by Director John Stalberg, Jr. is the most comprehensive feature, offering insights into the orchestration of the film's score, the intricacies of shooting locations, and the technicalities behind visual effects and various character dynamics. Attention is given to notable performances by Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks, and Michael Chiklis, adding depth to the viewer’s understanding of the film's production. Complementing this is a suite of Deleted Scenes, which while only playable in one sequence, adds valuable context and sometimes enhances plot details better than the final cut. Additionally, the Trailer provides a succinct teaser that rounds out the bonus materials.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: In-depth discussion on score, plot details, shooting locales, visual effects, and character dynamics.
• Deleted Scenes: Extended scenes primarily featuring Brody and Chiklis, adding context to their characters.
• Trailer: The official theatrical trailer in HD.

"High School," a stoner comedy originally screened at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, stands out more for its character-driven plot and refreshing simplicity than for wild antics. The film follows valedictorian-to-be Henry (Matt Bush) and his stoner friend Travis (Sean Marquette) as they struggle to beat a mandatory drug test instated by Principal Dr. Leslie Gordon (Michael Chiklis) after a scandalous incident. The story pivots on a unique premise: if they’ve got to fail the test, everyone should. They devise a plan to spike the school bake sale brownies with marijuana sourced from local grower Psycho Ed, humorously portrayed by Adrien Brody. The ensuing chaos is both entertaining and well-paced, avoiding trite humor typically associated with the genre.

The film’s true strength lies in its engaging characters and genuine relationships. Henry and Travis’s dynamic is central, showcasing their rekindled friendship through thoughtful writing and genuine performances. Matt Bush and Sean Marquette deliver strong chemistry, while Michael Chiklis shines with an exaggerated but delightful portrayal of the over-zealous principal. Even minor characters, like Sebastian Saleem (Adhir Kalyan), contribute significantly to the narrative depth, adding subtle humor and internal conflicts that keep audiences invested. Colin Hanks also stands out in his role as the assistant principal who unwittingly becomes part of the chaos, adding charm and an extra layer of comedy.

Though "High School" doesn't break new ground in the stoner comedy genre, it succeeds by balancing mature themes and juvenile humor in an authentically funny package. The film is well-crafted, avoiding over-the-top gags for more contextual humor that feels organic and less forced. Complemented by a talented cast and well-executed plot, "High School" is a surprisingly enjoyable film that delivers hearty chuckles and remains memorable long after the closing credits.

Critics generally agree that "High School" is an enjoyable entry in the stoner comedy genre, even if it doesn't break any new ground. The film excels in its simplicity, artfully balancing humor and plot without veering into excessive or amateurish territory. Its script is tight and consistent, and viewers will appreciate the solid performances and evenly paced direction. The high school setting adds a relatable, nostalgic vibe that enhances its escapism factor. While it’s unlikely to become a cult classic, it certainly holds its own as a well-crafted comedy that genre enthusiasts should find rewarding.

The Blu-ray release by Anchor Bay offers sufficient technical merits. The video quality is praised for being very good, delivering crisp and clear visuals that capture the film's lively aesthetic. However, the audio is noted to be merely adequate, which might be a point of contention for those with high-end home theater systems. On the flip side, the inclusion of a couple of extras adds some additional value to the purchase, although they are not standout features.

What's special about "High School" is how well it works just taking the simple route. It's not overcooked, half-baked (ha ha), amateurish, or excessive. Instead, it's balanced and practical—a fun little slice of high school escapism that's as harmless as these sorts of movies can be. It's very well acted, evenly directed, and built on the foundation of a tight, consistent, and enjoyable script. It's probably not destined to be the next genre cult classic or go down as the quintessential stoner flick, but this is a quality under-the-radar motion picture that genre fans should love. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of "High School" features very good video, adequate audio, and a couple of extras. Recommended.