A Bad Moms Christmas Blu-ray Review
Score: 63
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
A Bad Moms Christmas offers top-notch video and audio on Blu-ray, but its humor falls flat and extras are minimal, making it a cautious purchase for fans.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 79
"A Bad Moms Christmas" Blu-ray dazzles with 1080p AVC MPEG-4 encode, vivid color palette, pinpoint details, and deep blacks, making it a visual treat free of noise or artifacts.
Audio: 76
"A Bad Moms Christmas" boasts a dynamic DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, delivering rich sonic detail, robust low-end bass, and commendable surround sound usage, though some might find the rear effects conservative. The dialogue remains clear and well-prioritized throughout.
Extra: 27
The Blu-ray of A Bad Moms Christmas includes a gag reel, additional scenes, a crew music video, and two red-band trailers; the digital HD copy is redeemable in 4K on iTunes though a UHD disc is absent.
Movie: 38
A Bad Moms Christmas delivers a competent yet predictable sequel rife with raunchy humor and superficial shenanigans, lacking the original's emotional pull and depth, despite a star-studded cast and sporadic laughs.
Video: 79
The video presentation of "A Bad Moms Christmas" on Blu-ray is executed with impressive clarity and vibrant detail, making it a visual delight. The 1080p image captures the intricacies of every scene with razor-sharp precision, from the tiniest imperfections on skin textures to the minute details of clothing fabric and interior decor. The use of a Red Epic Dragon source ensures that every frame is brimming with textural richness, whether it’s the tiles of a mall floor, holiday decorations, or facial nuances. This meticulous attention to detail is particularly evident in close-ups, highlighting features as subtle as moles, freckles, and stubble.
Colors are another standout element in this presentation, delivering a highly saturated and eye-catching palette. Holiday hues like crimson reds, electric blues, and lively greens are represented with vivid brilliance and accuracy, making scenes feel joyous and festive. The dynamic contrast enhances this effect without overwhelming the viewer, balancing bright whites against inky-rich blacks to produce a three-dimensional depth and excellent shadow details. Skin tones maintain their natural appearance despite any lighting variations, and the overall noise is kept to a bare minimum, ensuring a clean and smooth visual experience free of distracting artifacts.
Moreover, the BD-50 layer and the AVC MPEG-4 encode provide a stable and resolute image devoid of smudgy edges or lacking details. The aspect ratio of 2.40:1 widescreen further adds to the cinematic experience, encapsulating the film's diverse settings—from indoor home environments with yellowish lighting to stunning outdoor shots in the snow—with equal proficiency. In conclusion, aficionados of high-definition video will be thrilled with this Blu-ray release, as it delivers top-notch video quality that complements the film’s vibrant storytelling and holiday charm.
Audio: 76
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack of "A Bad Moms Christmas" provides an impressively dynamic audio experience, characterized by crystal-clear sound and rich sonic detailing. The excellent tonal balance ensures seamless panning across the left, center, and right channels, resulting in a cohesive and immersive front soundstage. Bass reproduction is taut and occasionally exhibits robust low-end presence, enhancing the track’s depth during engaging scenes. The mix frequently utilizes the surround channels to blend discrete and ambient sounds, maintaining an enveloping audio environment that smoothly integrates front and rear soundstages. Dialogue is consistently crisp, detailed, and well-placed in the center channel, ensuring clarity amid the film’s various sound elements.
While the overall design of the audio track is somewhat conservative, focusing mainly on the front channels with fluid background activity movement, it excels in fidelity and channel balance. The soundstage is pleasantly wide and broad, offering excellent clarity and distinction even during transitions from loud to soft moments. The soundtrack's strength lies particularly in its musical segments, where the low frequency extension showcases deep, thumping bass that energizes the viewer. However, some reviewers noted a less pronounced punchiness in the low-end during non-musical portions. Additionally, while occasional rear channel effects contribute to the ambiance, the surrounds are not as active or impactful overall. Despite this, the track’s ability to authentically reproduce sounds and effects adds authenticity to the listening experience.
In summary, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack of "A Bad Moms Christmas" manages to deliver a robust and engaging auditory experience, even if it leans on more conservative surround activity. The soundtrack’s clean and powerful dialogue reproduction alongside vibrant musical effects ensures that it meets expectations for enhancing the film’s comedic and dynamic elements.
Extra: 27
The Blu-ray release of "A Bad Moms Christmas" provides an adequate collection of extras that complement the main feature, offering fans a bit more insight and enjoyment. The inclusion of a Gag Reel, Additional Scenes, and Crew Music Video add a light-hearted touch that is consistent with the film’s tone. The Theatrical Trailers give viewers a glimpse into the movie's promotional approach, while the Digital HD Copy and Bonus DVD ensure flexibility in viewing options across different devices. These extras, while relatively standard, enhance the overall viewing experience, albeit without providing any groundbreaking insights or behind-the-scenes revelations.
Extras included in this disc:
Gag Reel: A fun montage of outtakes featuring the cast.
Additional Scenes: Alternate takes and dialogue not included in the final cut.
Crew Music Video: Behind-the-scenes crew members perform to "I Want To Be Your Santa Claus."
Theatrical Trailers: A pair of Red Band trailers used for the film's promotion.
Bonus DVD: Additional disc for DVD players.
Digital HD Copy: A code for redeeming a digital version of the movie.
Movie: 38
"A Bad Moms Christmas," directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, continues the chaotic lives of Amy (Mila Kunis), Kiki (Kristen Bell), and Carla (Kathryn Hahn) as they navigate the pressures of holiday season motherhood, further complicated by their own overbearing mothers. The sequel to the successful "Bad Moms" film embraces a familiar formula, amplifying the raunchy humor and family drama. Detractors point out that the storyline feels rushed and predictable, echoing many motifs from Christmas-themed clichés without much innovation. Despite this, it's hard to ignore the film's infectious energy and committed performances, particularly from newcomers Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, and Susan Sarandon who play the mothers.
Despite its repetitive sex jokes and crude language, the film offers moments of genuine laughter. While some found the antics overwrought and the character development lacking, fans of the first film might appreciate the comedic talents at play. They wrestle with themes of parental conflict and holiday stress, though often in a shallow manner. The film's true strength lies in its charismatic cast, which elevates otherwise pedestrian material. Baranski's portrayal of Amy's hyper-critical mother Ruth adds dramatic heft amid the slapstick comedy.
Technical execution remains strong, with solid directing and a coherent narrative. Nevertheless, "A Bad Moms Christmas" tends to lean heavily on over-the-top shenanigans at the expense of deeper emotional engagement. Scenes oscillate between lewd humor and attempts at heartfelt drama, occasionally faltering in both. Yet, when stripped of expectations for meaningful commentary, the film delivers consistent entertainment within its niche. It may not top its predecessor in originality or depth, but it holds enough appeal in its exploits of festive chaos to satisfy viewers looking for lighthearted holiday fare.
Total: 63
Review: A Bad Moms Christmas Blu-ray
A Bad Moms Christmas attempts to blend crude humor and holiday cheer but struggles to balance character development with its tendency toward juvenile antics. While the film is watchable and certainly aims to amuse, it fails to innovate or add depth, resulting in a shallow extension of its predecessor. The narrative brings back the ensemble cast, seeking to escalate its raunchiness but ultimately offering contrived conflicts and predictable resolutions.
Universal’s Blu-ray release excels in technical presentation, delivering top-tier video and audio quality that will satisfy A/V enthusiasts. The picture is sharp, the colors are vibrant, and the sound is immersive, making it a visual and auditory delight. However, the supplemental features are notably sparse, providing little beyond the main feature to enrich the viewing experience. This lack of substantive extras may leave fans pondering its value for purchase, given the genre's typically modest offering.
In conclusion, A Bad Moms Christmas on Blu-ray shines in technical aspects but falls short in providing compelling content or substantial extras. Its appeal is primarily for fans of the franchise or those looking for a casual, humorous holiday escape. For others, it may warrant a cautious rental rather than a purchase.
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 90
Textural wonders abound, as the image finds the intimacy in every skin texture -- including applied makeup -- as well as delivering pinpoint clothing fabrics and faultless precision to any of the appointments...
Audio: 80
Atmospheric effects filter into the stage with commendable precision and nuanced detailing, a good example coming in chapter five as the girls mill around a mall where music, chatter, and footsteps draw...
Extras: 20
Trailers (1080p): Theatrical Trailer #1 - Red Band (2:04) and Theatrical Trailer #2 - Red Band (2:34)....
Movie: 40
A Bad Moms Christmas works best within the confines of its mindlessly lurid shenanigans but struggles when the laughs turn to frustrations and tears and the filmmakers expect the audience to care about...
Total: 60
Everyone gives it an honest effort, and the movie is certainly watchable -- it's not one of those that's hopelessly repulsive -- but it just doesn't break any new ground or even attempt to move a toe off...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
The screen is drenched in cheery crimson reds and spirited, electrifying blues with several splaterings of lively greens while secondary hues are accurately rendered and full of warmth, and facial complexions...
Audio: 80
Of course, there is the occasional sound effect filling much of the silence and creating a bit of ambiance, but the music does more of the real legwork at establishing a wider soundfield....
Extras: 0
Additional Scenes (HD, 4 min): Essentially, deleted alternate takes with even less funny dialogue....
Movie: 20
Not to worry, though, because Christmas is saved at the last minute in the form of a dues ex machina miracle while the other two grandmas realize their failures without some form of justified self-revelation....
Total: 40
The Blu-ray crashes the Christmas party with superb video quality and an excellent audio presentation, but a disappointingly puny selection of supplements will have fans wondering if it's worth spending...
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 90
Contrast is dynamic without being overpowering and blacks are respectable in depth with discernible detail visible in low lighting and shadows....
Audio: 88
I enjoyed the enveloping nature of the audio and felt that the integration between the front and rear soundstages was spot on....
Extras: 40
...
Movie: 40
As if creating the perfect holiday for their families isn't hard enough, they'll have to do it while hosting and entertaining their own respective mothers when they come to visit....
Total: 65
System Marantz AV7704 Audio/Video Processor Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier Oppo UDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player Sony Playstation...
Why So Blu? review by Brian WhiteRead review here
Video: 90
The sets are highly detailed as are the close-ups where you’ll see ever mole, freckle, stubble and out of place hair....
Audio: 90
Like the first film the audio presentation is big, bold, bright and beautiful thanks in part to the kicking jams that despite the lulls in the movie here at times really pumps you up and energizes....
Extras: 30
The Blu-ray release of A Bad Moms Christmas features a gag reel, deleted scenes, trailers and an extended music video....
Movie: 60
Needless to say if the title of the movie did not clue you in already, this one is all about the familial pressures and expectations during the Christmas holiday season....
Total: 70
I do know this that you can say what you want about A Bad Moms Christmas, but the video and audio presentations here are both clean and pristine on the Blu-ray Disc....
Director: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
Actors: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn
PlotThree overburdened mothers, Amy, Kiki, and Carla, find themselves struggling to cope with the demands of creating a perfect Christmas while managing their own families. Just when they think they can't handle more stress, their own mothers arrive unexpectedly for the holidays, each bringing additional challenges. Amy's perfectionist mother, Ruth, criticizes every aspect of her parenting and household decisions, pushing Amy to her breaking point. Kiki's clingy mother, Sandy, suffocates her with constant attention and overbearing affection, while Carla's wild and irresponsible mom, Isis, disrupts her organized life with chaotic antics.
As tensions rise and conflicts intensify, the three friends realize they need to reclaim the holiday spirit for themselves and their families. They embark on a mission to take back the Christmas season, embracing a more relaxed and joyful approach to the festivities. Through their hilarious and heartwarming journey, they learn valuable lessons about balancing tradition with personal happiness, the importance of setting boundaries with family, and the true meaning of the holiday season.
Writers: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
Release Date: 01 Nov 2017
Runtime: 104 min
Rating: R
Country: United States, China
Language: English, Japanese