Honeymoon in Vegas Blu-ray Review

Based on the reviews, the video presentation of the "Honeymoon in Vegas" Blu-ray is inconsistent and often problematic, characterized by frequent shifts in quality that detract from the viewing experience. The 1080p AVC MPEG-4 encode (at 1.85:1) fluctuates between moments of reasonable sharpness and instances of disconcerting fuzziness. This erratic transfer includes sections plagued by heavy digital noise, waxy smoothness from excessive digital noise reduction (DNR), and a range of awkward color inaccuracies. While colors such as blues and reds appear relatively natural, greens often verge on excessive blooming, and skin tones oscillate unpredictably between overly bright, almost fluorescent, pink-red hues and unsettling purples and oranges.

Additionally, intermittent grain fluctuation impacts the overall texture of the film. Some scenes are marked by overwhelming grain that obscures detail, whilst other sequences appear much clearer. Night and low-light shots are particularly troublesome, exhibiting poor black levels, compromised skin tones, and a general lack of clarity that turns the visuals into murky tints rather than discernible images. Furthermore, artifacts such as dirt specks and scratches are prevalent, especially prominent in the initial acts of the movie.

Despite these criticisms, portions of the film—most notably the Hawaii sequences—are redeemingly vibrant. These segments exhibit good picture depth, accurate coloring, and commendable detail. Such moments emphasize facial features with clear distinction. However, these instances are sporadic at best and fail to elevate the overall quality of this Blu-ray presentation. Fans of "Honeymoon in Vegas" might appreciate the advantage over the previous fullscreen DVD release, but general viewers are likely to find this transfer less than satisfactory.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix provided on the Blu-ray of "Honeymoon in Vegas" offers a mixed bag of technical attributes. While it misses the mark by not including a lossless surround mix that would have enhanced the Presley-centric soundtrack, the audio fidelity is commendable. Dialogue is clear and sharply rendered, with excellent dynamic range that ensures every spoken word is easily comprehensible. The musical underscores equally benefit from this clarity, although there remains no directionality or panning effects, leaving the sound firmly anchored at the center. Despite these limitations, the mix achieves a reasonable balance between dialogue, music, and effects, providing a coherent audio experience.

However, there are areas where the audio presentation falls short. Some dynamics feel questionable, with occasional hollow pitches that do not match the scene settings, slightly impacting immersion. The soundtrack, while clear, suffers from awkward lip sync issues at times, and despite the occasional presence of bass, notably during Elvis impersonator tracks, the overall ambience is perplexingly underwhelming. Given the bustling locales of New York City and Las Vegas featured in the film, crowded scenes feel almost empty, lacking the ambient noise that would make them genuinely vibrant. While this DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix is a notable improvement over the prior DVD version, it remains an unremarkable audio experience with a few technical missteps.

The Blu-ray release of "Honeymoon in Vegas" provides a limited but essential selection of extras, encapsulating the film's charm and providing a nostalgic revisit for fans. The sole special feature included is the theatrical trailer, presented in high definition. This trailer serves as a concise yet effective reminder of the film’s quirky humor and memorable moments. Although the offering is sparse, it will delight enthusiasts seeking a quick trip back to the quirky adventures of the movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Brief preview of the film in HD, showcasing its memorable highlights.

"Honeymoon in Vegas," directed by Andrew Bergman, is a frenetic comedy that struggles to find its footing amidst a sea of sitcom-like chaos. The film stars Nicolas Cage as Jack, a commitment-phobic man who finds himself indebted to a gambler (James Caan) while attempting to marry his girlfriend Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) in Las Vegas. The plot, a contrived mishmash of escalating absurdities, sees Jack compromising by "loaning" Betsy for the weekend—a premise both forced and implausible, akin to the narrative structures of corny sitcoms and other films like "Indecent Proposal."

Cage's performance is a parade of exaggerated neuroses, overly reliant on shouting matches and frenzied antics that fail to land consistently. In contrast, Sarah Jessica Parker's portrayal of Betsy feels unusually subdued and lacks the expected comedic spark, while Caan’s Tommy comes across as the most balanced character in an otherwise erratic trio. Despite the film's promotional efforts, the chemistry between the leads falls short, leaving audiences to grasp at scattered moments of genuine humor among an otherwise disjointed script.

What does inject some energy into this lackluster affair is the relentless Elvis-themed soundtrack, featuring remarkable covers by artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Bono. Peter Boyle's cameo as a Hawaiian tribal chief with a passion for show tunes marks a rare highlight in the film. However, these fleeting moments are not enough to overcome its numerous flaws, marked by scenes that are more irritable than entertaining. Ultimately, "Honeymoon in Vegas" attempts to draw humor from improbable scenarios but lands, unfortunately, flat more often than not.

"Honeymoon in Vegas" on Blu-ray offers a mixed bag of entertainment value and technical quality. Directed by Andrew Bergman, the film showcases some engaging elements with its quirky Elvis impersonator subplot and a notably manic final act involving an Elvis skydiving team. These moments highlight Bergman's unique take on pop culture satire, giving the narrative a burst of enjoyable insanity. However, the movie often falls flat, struggling under the weight of a contrived plot and uneven performances. Nicolas Cage’s mannered acting and Sarah Jessica Parker’s lackluster presence leave James Caan to carry much of the burden, a task too hefty for him to shoulder alone.

The Blu-ray presentation is equally inconsistent. Fans hoping for a high-quality remaster may find themselves disappointed; the image quality is subpar, lacking the sharpness and vibrancy expected from a Blu-ray release. This transfer seems outdated, failing to capitalize on the improved resolution capabilities of modern formats. Moreover, the audio dynamics do little to enhance the viewing experience, providing only a serviceable backdrop rather than an immersive soundstage. The video transfer quality doesn't justify an upgrade for viewers who own previous DVD versions.

Ultimately, "Honeymoon in Vegas" might appeal to its existing fanbase who appreciate its offbeat humor and zany plot twists, but its general appeal is limited. The shortcomings in both the film's narrative and its Blu-ray presentation make it a less enticing option for new viewers. Prospective buyers may be better off renting this title first to determine if it aligns with their taste, given its polarized reception and unimpressive technical execution.