Neighbors Blu-ray Review

The Blu-Ray video presentation of "Neighbors" is a standout, featuring an impressive 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that excels in delivering a consistently high-quality image. The colors are warm and lifelike, with natural skintones and vivid primaries that are well-saturated. Textures from facial features to clothing details are exceptionally clear, and the contrast adds depth without appearing artificial. Black levels are deep and satisfying, providing a strong foundation to the overall image clarity. Despite a handful of soft shots likely due to optical choices, the film’s detail remains striking throughout, free from notable artifacts like noise, banding, or macroblocking.

The movie's party scenes offer an eye-catching array of bright colors and highlights, thanks to the adept handling of the black light college party sequences. These scenes maintain a vibrant look without overwhelming the film's otherwise balanced color palette. Contrast is particularly well-managed, ensuring shadows remain inky black without introducing banding or crush, while also avoiding any blown-out or overly hot elements. Daytime and nighttime scenes outside of the party environments also benefit from this careful treatment, showcasing Universal’s commitment to high fidelity in this release.

Overall, "Neighbors" on Blu-Ray offers an exceptional video presentation with fine detail and stunning clarity, making it one of the standout releases from Universal this year.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "Neighbors" offers a robust and engaging audio presentation that suits the film’s chaotic and vibrant nature impeccably. Dialogue remains clear and well-prioritized, even when competing with the raucous party scenes, erratic crowd noises, and explosive events. Despite being dialogue-centric, the track excels in spatial dimension with the surrounds bringing ambient details to life, effectively capturing the lively sounds of frat boys and city bustle. The bass is particularly noteworthy, providing deep, impactful LFE that enhances the film’s numerous party sequences and other high-energy moments, making the overall experience immersive and dynamic.

Moreover, the mix boasts a balanced yet bold approach to low-end effects, asserting itself impressively during intense scenes like airbag explosions and thumping hip-hop rhythms at fraternity events. Directionality is handled with precision, spreading the chaos convincingly around the listener, thus enhancing the narrative’s sense of intrusion felt by the protagonists. This strong mix is further complemented by atmospheric elements that subtly appear during quieter scenes, ensuring an immersive listening journey throughout. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Neighbors" not only supports but elevates the film's energetic atmosphere, effectively merging clarity with sonic excitement.

The Blu-ray extras for "Neighbors" provide an engaging and comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. Ranging from deleted scenes to insightful featurettes, these extras serve both fans and film enthusiasts. The collection includes ten scenes, such as "History" and "Airbags," offering a deeper dive into the film's narrative. Featurettes like "The Frat" and "Partying with the Neighbors" deliver a closer look at character dynamics and production insights. "An Unlikely Pair" focuses on Efron's casting and rapport with Rogen, while more entertaining segments include a Line-O-Rama and Gag Reel that showcase the cast's improvisational skills and on-set antics.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate opening: Interesting alternative to how the story begins.
• Deleted/alternate scenes: Includes History, Babysitter, Shaving, and more.
• On the set with…: Brief featurette with quirky moments from set.
• Gag reel: Outtakes and bloopers from filming.
• Line-O-Rama: Alternative line readings and improv.
• An unlikely pair: Discussion on Efron's casting and chemistry with Rogen.
• Partying with the Neighbors: Insights into the film's party scenes.
• The Frat: Cast discusses fraternity dynamics and chemistry.

"Neighbors," starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne as new parents Mac and Kelly Radner, juggles youthful exuberance with mid-thirties suburban anxiety. Their attempts to savor residual coolness lead to a regrettable alliance with Delta Psi Beta, a rowdy fraternity led by Zac Efron's Teddy Sanders. This initially amicable relationship spirals into a hilarious, but ultimately chaotic battle of pranks and sabotage. The narrative oscillates between uproarious moments and messy storytelling. Highlights include Rogen and Efron's dueling Batman impressions, but these bits often feel disconnected, betraying director Nicholas Stoller's reliance on improv.

Despite its fragmented approach, "Neighbors" explores deeper themes of perpetual immaturity versus the staid responsibilities of adulthood. Seth Rogen's portrayal of Mac wrestles with this dichotomy, highlighting his career-long theme of likeable irresponsibility. Rose Byrne's Kelly, however, struggles to keep pace with her co-stars' comedic risks. The film's merit lies in its ability to subtly critique societal expectations through outlandish humor, particularly in scenes where Mac and Kelly grapple with their stunted maturity. Efron’s Teddy evolves from a carefree party animal to someone confronting an uncertain future, adding an unexpected depth to the fraternity's antics.

Ultimately, the film serves as a commentary on the fear of growing up, resonating through its caricatured but relatable characters. While some stretches of the movie need tightening and more coherent direction, the chemistry among the cast members, especially Rogen and Efron, keeps it afloat. Their performances imbue the narrative with a certain resilience—making "Neighbors" a flawed yet captivating exploration of adulthood through a comedic lens. Though uneven in execution, its thematic undertones and casting make it worth watching for those willing to overlook its shortcomings.

"Neighbors" is a divisive comedy that will split audiences with its blend of slapstick humor and insightful social commentary. While some viewers, like myself, may find themselves laughing hearty while recognizing structural flaws and character development issues, others might have a completely different experience. Universal's Blu-ray release of "Neighbors" does not suffer from such divisiveness, boasting a robust AV presentation that allows the viewer to engage fully with the film’s content. The release is light on extras, making a rental a prudent first move for those uncertain about the movie's appeal.

As one of the summer’s standout hits, "Neighbors" delivers not only in laughter but also in a thoughtful exploration of the similarities and differences among its characters. Despite some characters receiving less arc or development, the film breaks with traditional archetypes to offer a fresh and well-rounded narrative. The Blu-ray features remarkable image and sound quality, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. However, while it offers a few fun extras, notably absent is a commentary track which could have added further insight and value.

In conclusion, "Neighbors" offers an engaging yet polarizing cinematic experience backed by a commendable Blu-ray release. While its comedic approach may divide opinion, fans of smartly written humor and high-quality AV presentations will find much to appreciate. It certainly merits a recommendation for purchase or at least a trial rental for those looking to explore its unique brand of comedy.