Date and Switch Blu-ray Review
Score: 60
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Date and Switch offers decent technical merits and a promising premise, yet suffers from lackluster execution and emotional impact, making it a one-time watch.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 72
Date and Switch on Blu-ray features a solid, yet unremarkable AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Colors are natural and well-saturated, with commendable detail in close-ups, but lacking visual 'pop.' The image remains consistently sharp without artifacting issues, resembling high-definition sitcom quality.
Audio: 72
Date and Switch's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is professional and well-crafted with cleanly presented dialogue and effective immersion during key scenes, though it remains largely front heavy and offers limited surround engagement, fitting appropriately for a dialogue-heavy romantic comedy.
Extra: 52
The Blu-ray Extras for 'Date and Switch' offer engaging content, including an informative commentary track with the director and writer revealing personal and technical anecdotes, two promotional featurettes focusing on the making of the film and the prom scene, and a brief set of deleted scenes.
Movie: 52
Date and Switch" employs a familiar coming-of-age premise with a commendable twist—addressing gay adolescence—but ultimately falls short in delivering impactful humor or meaningful drama, despite a promising script by Alan Yang and solid performances from its cast. It lacks both the raunchy charm of "American Pie" and the depth of films like "The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Video: 72
"Date and Switch" is presented on Blu-ray by Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Though it achieves solid technical performance, the presentation ultimately feels rather ordinary, akin to a high-definition sitcom. The image remains consistently sharp and detailed, with colors that are well-saturated and realistic. However, there's a notable lack of visual pop or brilliance that would otherwise make it stand out. Skin tones appear natural, and black levels are deep and inky, contributing to the strong contrast throughout the video.
Close-ups are where the transfer truly shines, revealing intricate textures, such as individual hairs, wrinkles, makeup details, and stitching, all rendered crisply. Wider shots, however, exhibit a slight softness that detracts from the overall sharpness. Despite this minor issue, the Blu-ray presentation is largely free of technical flaws like banding, aliasing, and artifacting. There is a small amount of video noise present on rare occasions, but it remains negligible. In summary, while "Date and Switch" delivers a competent and commendable HD visual experience, it does not reach the spectacular levels that would wow discerning viewers.
Audio: 72
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix of "Date and Switch" delivers a professional, well-crafted auditory experience that aligns seamlessly with the film's overall technical presentation. The sound design is notably effective during key scenes that feature crowd noise, such as parties and the prom finale, providing a pleasantly immersive atmosphere. Dialogue throughout the film is presented cleanly, remaining free from any distortions or artifacts. While the track does not offer an inspirational or particularly innovative soundscape, it meets the film's needs adequately.
As expected for a romantic comedy, the sound primarily relies on clear and crisp dialogue, with ambient sounds and source cues being well integrated into the mix. While the track is predominantly front-heavy, moments requiring more dynamic range, like party scenes or the prom, inject some much-needed vibrancy into the sound design. Minimal use of surround channels means that viewers should not expect substantial rear-channel activity or impactful low-frequency effects (LFE). However, the overall dynamic range is commendable, ensuring that the mix remains robust and effective within its genre constraints.
Extra: 52
The extras included with the Blu-ray release of "Date and Switch" offer valuable behind-the-scenes insights and additional content that both fans and film aficionados will appreciate. The Audio Commentary by Director Chris Nelson and Writer Alan Yang is engaging and informative, revealing autobiographical elements and technical challenges encountered during production. The Making of Date and Switch delivers a succinct yet enjoyable Electronic Press Kit (EPK) featuring interviews with cast and crew, interspersed with scenes from the film. Prom: A Rite of Passage is a focused EPK dedicated to the pivotal prom scene, providing deeper context to this crucial moment in the film. Although the Deleted Scenes add a few extra minutes of content, they don’t necessarily enhance the overall narrative of the movie.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary with Director Chris Nelson and Writer Alan Yang: Engaging discussion filled with anecdotes and technical details.
- The Making of Date and Switch: Interviews and scenes from the film.
- Prom: A Rite of Passage: EPK centered on the prom scene.
- Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes cut from the final film.
Movie: 52
"Date and Switch" takes a fresh approach to the well-worn tropes of rom-coms and coming-of-age films by incorporating the timely subject of a young gay man coming out. The film introduces lifelong friends Michael (Nicolas Braun) and Matty (Hunter Cope), who have made a pact to lose their virginity before prom. The premise takes an intriguing turn when Matty comes out as gay, but ultimately, the film falls short of fully exploring this unique angle. Directed by Chris Nelson and written by Alan Yang, the film remains largely focused on Michael's perspective, which undermines its potential to deliver a more meaningful narrative centered on Matty's journey.
On the technical front, "Date and Switch" is a product of Lionsgate's micro-budget initiative, made for a modest $2 million. As such, it features familiar faces from Yang's other work, including "Parks and Recreation." However, it lacks the raunchy humor of "American Pie" and the emotional depth of "The Spectacular Now" or "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." The film attempts to balance humor and drama but settles for a middle ground that neither elicits substantial laughs nor sincere emotional engagement. The supporting cast, including Dakota Johnson, Megan Mullally, Sarah Hyland, and Nick Offerman, provide commendable performances, yet they can't elevate the film beyond its inherent limitations.
While "Date and Switch" offers a notable attempt at inclusivity and modern social norms, it misses out on delivering a more compelling and thoughtful narrative. The lack of dramatic tension in Matty's coming-out story and the film's tendency to resort to formulaic melodrama dilute what could have been a groundbreaking take on the genre. Despite occasional moments of gentle humor, the movie's hesitant approach fails to leave a lasting impact, making it feel more like an extended TV episode than a fully realized cinematic experience.
Total: 60
"Date and Switch" attempts to deliver a fresh approach to the teen romantic comedy genre but falls short in execution. The film's premise offers potential within a well-trodden sub-genre, yet it struggles to evoke genuine laughter or emotional engagement. Nelson and Yang showcase promising talent, yet the material does not effectively utilize their capabilities, leading to a storyline that feels superficial and fails to establish a deeper connection with the audience.
The technical presentation of the Blu-ray is solid, though not astonishing. Picture quality is clear and serviceable, lacking standout moments but free from significant flaws. The audio is similarly competent, offering a balanced soundstage that supports the film's dialogue and soundtrack without notable distinction. Special features included are enjoyable but largely standard fare, contributing some value without significantly enhancing the overall package.
In conclusion, "Date and Switch" is a middling effort that may serve as light-hearted entertainment for viewers seeking a low-stakes viewing experience. Despite some decent technical merits, both the film and its Blu-ray release remain ultimately unremarkable. This title might be more fitting for a rental rather than a purchase for those curious about this casual, undemanding teen comedy.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 80
Date and Switch again may remind some people of a sitcom filmed in high definition�it's absolutely fine on all technical levels, but it's not going to impress anyone with its visual brilliance....
Audio: 80
The film's source cues are well utilized in the surrounds, and some of the noisier crowd scenes, like the party where the guys spill the beans to their girlfriends or (later) the big prom finale, do allow...
Extras: 40
The Making of Date and Switch (1080p; 11:01) is a brief but enjoyable enough EPK with interviews and scenes from the film....
Movie: 40
While there is some underlying tension in his relationship with Greg, one that ultimately spills out into the big Senior Prom finale, even this aspect is curiously undercooked, never eliciting much in...
Total: 50
While both Nelson and Yang show some promise here, there's a too facile approach to this material to ever generate much emotional connection with the characters, and as a result things just kind of happen...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
There were no issues with any banding, aliasing , or artifacting of any kind, but there was a tiny bit of video noise here and there, but it's nothing really to write home about, which leaves this video...
Audio: 80
I wouldn't expect a tons of sound from the surrounds or big explosions anywhere, but for a dialogue heavy comedy, it gets the job done....
Extras: 40
- This is another promo reel of the film with interviews with the cast and crew, but this one is centered on the prom scene alone....
Movie: 40
In the vein of the coming-of-age films as well as the raunchy "let's have sex before we graduate" type of movies, 'Date and Switch' tries to follow these tropes to a tee with one fresh idea, but it ultimately...
Total: 60
'Date and Switch' has a good premise to a sub-genre we have seen plenty of times before, but it isn't executed very well....
Director: Chris Nelson
Actors: Nicholas Braun, Hunter Cope, Dakota Johnson
PlotHigh school seniors Michael and Matty have been best friends for years, sharing everything from their academic struggles to their dreams of losing their virginity before graduation. Their bond is tested when Matty unexpectedly comes out as gay, leaving Michael feeling confused and unsure how to handle the change. Determined not to let their friendship falter, Michael decides to support Matty wholeheartedly by helping him navigate the dating scene, while they both continue their quest to lose their virginity.
As they venture into the chaotic world of teenage relationships, they encounter a series of humorous and awkward situations that challenge their perceptions of love, identity, and friendship. Michael starts dating Em, a free-spirited girl who helps him learn about acceptance and understanding. As the days to graduation approach, Michael and Matty face several obstacles that test their loyalty to each other, leading them on a journey of self-discovery, where they learn what it truly means to be friends in the face of life's unexpected turns.
Writers: Alan Yang
Release Date: 14 Feb 2014
Runtime: 91 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, Spanish