Blockers Blu-ray Review

Universal's "Blockers" boasts a solid 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encode, capturing the essence of its digital Arri Alexa source material. The 2.39:1 aspect ratio presentation delivers fine detail, especially in close-ups, showcasing facial textures and environmental elements like clothing with notable clarity. Colors are vividly saturated, with Leslie Mann's yellow sweater and her daughter's red prom gown standing out prominently. Despite the consistent and satisfactory detailing, there are instances of slight softness, particularly with CGI elements. Black levels in nighttime scenes are generally deep and reveal minimal crushing, although in some areas shadows can appear more gray than true black, impacting image depth.

Overall, the visual presentation is commendable for a 1080p Blu-ray. The vibrant colors and clean digital imagery help compensate for any lack in resolution compared to a potential 4K UHD release. Scenes lit by strobes and colored lights at the prom maintain boldness and sharpness, giving a pleasing contrast. Detail remains solid throughout, with no significant artifacts noticeable. Minor noise appears under low-light conditions but does not detract from the overall viewing experience. The result is a clean and visually engaging transfer that, while not groundbreaking, competently supports the film’s comedic narrative.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track accompanying "Blockers" delivers a robust audio experience, particularly within the context of its comedy genre. The track is predominantly front-heavy, ensuring that dialogue remains crystal clear and consistently center-positioned, which is crucial for humor retention in such films. Despite this front-centric focus, the mix showcases effective dynamics, especially in more action-packed scenes like the explosive car chase and the prom sequence, where the LFE channel kicks in with notable impact. However, it's evident that "Blockers" doesn't aim to be an audio showcase; it provides sufficient immersion without heavily relying on surround channels.

Ambient sounds and background music are integrated seamlessly, primarily during party scenes and the prom, contributing to a slightly wider soundstage. These moments reveal some use of the surrounds to enhance the viewing experience by adding depth and balance to the soundtrack. The bass reproduction stands out, offering taut and defined lows that bolster the energetic sequences throughout the film. While some larger sound bursts lack high yield intensity typical of bigger budget productions, the audio mix compensates with well-balanced tonal harmony and decent subwoofer engagement where necessary.

Overall, "Blockers" manages to exceed standard expectations for its genre with a high degree of sonic clarity and balanced audio elements. The track punctuates pivotal scenes effectively, ensuring an immersive experience without overreaching. Whether it’s the pulsating prom music or the quieter atmospheric sounds while parents traverse the town, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix adapts well to the film's varied audio needs, consistently delivering clear and precise dialogue framed within a convincing sound environment.

The Blu-ray release of "Blockers" offers a robust suite of extras, enhancing the comedic experience well beyond the main feature. Director Kay Cannon provides an insightful, though occasionally sparse, audio commentary that delves into the film's blend of raunchy humor and character-driven drama. The disc includes insightful featurettes such as "Prom Night," which explores the film's homage to high school milestones, and "Rescue Mission," detailing the actors' takes on their characters and key scenes. Noteworthy highlights include "The History of Sex with Ike Barinholtz," where Barinholtz humorously dissects human sexual evolution, and "John Cena's Prom Survival Kit for Parents," an engaging in-character segment by Cena. Additionally, behind-the-scenes bits like "Chug! Chug! Chug!" and "Puke-a-Palooza" offer a glimpse into the film’s elaborate gag setups.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Director Kay Cannon: Provides insights into story elements and production.
• Deleted Scenes: Three scenes that offer brief extensions to the narrative.
• Gag Reel: Hilarious moments from the set.
• Line-O-Rama: Ad-lib takes offering extended humor.
• Rescue Mission: Cast discusses characters and behind-the-scenes moments.
• Prom Night: Insight into achieving the prom look and personal prom stories.
• The History of Sex with Ike Barinholtz: Comedic take on the evolution of human sexuality.
• John Cena's Prom Survival Kit for Parents: Hilarious in-character survival tips for prom night.
• Chug! Chug! Chug!: Examination of the film’s infamous butt-chugging scene.
• Puke-a-Palooza: Behind-the-scenes look at the projectile vomit scene.

"Blockers" is a film that treads the line between raunchy comedy and heartfelt dramedy, attempting to explore the complexities of parenting amidst the predictable chaos of a prom night sex pact. The narrative focuses on three high school seniors—Julie (Kathryn Newton), Kayla (Geraldine Viswanathan), and Sam (Gideon Adlon)—who make a pact to lose their virginity on prom night, much to the horror of their overprotective parents, Lisa (Leslie Mann), Mitchell (John Cena), and Hunter (Ike Barinholtz). The film's primary comedic thrust derives from the parents' frantic and often absurd attempts to prevent their daughters from going through with the pact, oscillating between moments of genuine humor and awkward, ill-timed gags.

The film has a strong cast whose performances are often the saving grace of the script. John Cena's portrayal as the blundering, yet well-meaning dad offers some of the most endearing moments, while Leslie Mann delivers a nuanced performance as a single mother struggling to hold onto her daughter. Despite these strengths, "Blockers" suffers from an over-reliance on recycled comedic tropes, such as extended vomiting scenes and crude humor that fails to land consistently. First-time director Kay Cannon introduces interesting themes around overprotective parenting and adolescent autonomy but struggles to maintain a consistent comedic tone throughout the film's 102-minute runtime.

Nevertheless, "Blockers" attempts to tackle serious social issues with some sensitivity. The film delves into the notion of parental control versus adolescent independence, encouraging viewers to question traditional standards around youth and sex. Despite its often formulaic approach, the film brings a fresh perspective by centering much of its narrative on the parents' experiences rather than solely focusing on the teenage protagonists. Ultimately, "Blockers" may not break new ground in the comedy genre, but it offers an engaging mix of humor and heart that's bolstered by strong performances and a semblance of social commentary.

"Blockers," directed by Kay Cannon and starring John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz, offers a modern take on the raunchy comedy genre. The film centers around three parents attempting to thwart their daughters' prom night plans, leading to a series of crass, politically incorrect but at times genuinely funny situations. Unlike its predecessors in the genre such as "Neighbors" or "Dirty Grandpa," "Blockers" manages to blend humor with themes of parent-child relationships, particularly highlighting the awkwardness parents face when seeing their kids transition to adulthood. While it doesn't offer groundbreaking content, it adds a slight twist to a tired formula, making it a mildly entertaining watch, largely due to its capable cast.

Universal's Blu-ray release of "Blockers" scores well on the technical front, with an aspect ratio of 2.39:1 AVC and audio options including DTS-HD MA 5.1 for English and DTS 5.1 for Spanish and French. Subtitles are available in English SDH, French, and Spanish. The video and audio quality are both commendable, delivering a solid home viewing experience. However, the supplemental features such as featurettes, deleted scenes, a gag reel, line-o-rama, and a commentary are fairly standard for the genre and lack substantial depth.

In conclusion, "Blockers" stands as a light-hearted addition to the raunchy comedy genre that won't redefine it but offers enough laughs to be enjoyable. Its Blu-ray release is technically sound with good video/audio quality and typical extras. For fans of this style of comedy or the cast, it is a recommended rental but might be worth adding to your collection at a discounted price.