Due Date Blu-ray Review

Warner Bros delivers a technical triumph with "Due Date" on Blu-ray, featuring a stellar 1080p AVC MPEG-4 video encode that exhibits exceptional detail and clarity. The 2.40:1 aspect ratio presentation is crisp and clean, showcasing fine textures with impeccable sharpness. Every facet, from the stubble on Robert Downey Jr.’s face to Zach Galifianakis’s carefully manicured perm, is rendered in striking detail. The image maintains a high degree of clarity with negligible artifacting, banding, or aliasing. Even in scenes set against the earthy backdrops of the Grand Canyon, the color palette remains well-saturated and skintones are naturally rendered.

The film's contrast and black levels are another highlight, offering a significant depth to the overall picture. While occasional black crush is present, it does little to diminish the depth and detail in darker scenes. Colors, although sometimes muted to align with the film’s gritty, earthy aesthetic, consistently maintain a balanced and pleasing disposition. Primaries have strong bite, enhancing the visual impact without overpowering subtler earth tones. Warner Bros’ encoding ensures the video is devoid of any distracting white flecks, specks, or blemishes, allowing the film’s visual fidelity to remain unblemished.

Overall, "Due Date"'s Blu-ray presentation excels in delivering a refined and polished high-definition experience. Every scene benefits from top-notch delineation and refined edges, with remarkable attention to textures such as clothing and environmental elements. The presentation encapsulates a three-dimensional depth of field that enriches the viewing experience. In summary, this Blu-ray edition of "Due Date" sets a high standard for visual quality that will undoubtedly impress even the most discerning viewers.

Warner's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for "Due Date" exemplifies an energetic and engaging audio experience. The dialogue is notably crisp and naturally grounded in the mix, ensuring clarity even amidst the chaotic events of the road trip narrative. The Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) output proves to be decisive, imbuing every car wreck and violent forward action with considerable weight and presence. Beck’s original music, alongside the bass-heavy soundtrack selections, receives solid support from the LFE channel, effectively filling the soundfield with robust hip-hop anthems and rock songs. Rear channel activity, while somewhat subdued during quieter moments, comes alive during pivotal scenes such as the escape from Mexico, offering convincing ambient effects and precise directionality.

The sound design maintains a lifelike quality throughout, ensuring that dialogue remains prominent. Directionality is meticulously executed, with voices well-placed according to on-screen activity. The mix is front-heavy, particularly shining in its handling of dialogue, which is consistently clear and intelligible over the runtime. While ambient sound and rear speaker activity are reserved for action-heavy sequences, their presence remains commendable when needed. The mix features transparent acoustics and seamless panning between channels, enhancing the overall engagement. Although some might find the rear channels less assertive during quieter scenes, the soundtrack's dynamic range and depth ensure a satisfactory auditory experience for viewers.

The Blu-ray extras for “Due Date” offer a sparse selection of special features that may leave fans wanting more. This compilation lacks depth and longevity, with the overall content being quite minimal. The features provided are mostly fleeting moments that fail to add any substantial value to the viewing experience. Technical aspects, such as high-definition presentation, are well-executed, but the substance is lacking.

Extras included in this disc:

Deleted Scenes: Three extended scenes that quickly overstay their welcome. Gag Reel: Standard outtakes featuring line flubs and actors laughing. Too Many Questions: A montage of Ethan’s numerous questions to Peter. Action Mash-Up: Highlights of the film’s action sequences in a short montage. The Complete Two and a Half Men Scene: Ethan's full appearance on his favorite show. BD-Live Functionality

"Due Date," directed by Todd Phillips, presents itself as a surprisingly multifaceted comedy that seamlessly fuses humor with moments of genuine emotional depth. While comparisons to "The Hangover" are inevitable given Phillips's association and Zach Galifianakis's involvement, the two films cater to distinctly different comedic sensibilities. Where "The Hangover" relies on outrageous gags and relentless pacing, "Due Date" opts for deliberate storytelling that juxtaposes belly laughs with touching dramatic beats. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Peter Highman, a high-strung architect desperate to return home for the birth of his child, and Galifianakis as Ethan Tremblay, an oblivious aspiring actor. Their unfortunate pairing results in a litany of misadventures, from being placed on the TSA No-Fly List to disastrous encounters involving drug possession and car wrecks.

The brilliant performances by Downey and Galifianakis anchor the film through its myriad tone shifts. Downey's portrayal of Peter's simmering rage provides both comedic and poignant moments, while Galifianakis injects Ethan with a nuanced layer of vulnerability beneath his clownish exterior. Their chemistry allows the film to oscillate effortlessly between uproarious scenes (such as Peter striking an obnoxious child) and more somber sequences (like Ethan's emotional breakdown regarding his father’s death). These elements combine to form a genuinely compelling dynamic that sets "Due Date" apart from typical road-trip comedies.

The screenplay, co-written by Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland, Adam Sztykiel, and Phillips, weaves in sharp comedic beats while tackling risqué themes such as masturbation and racial issues with a surprisingly deft touch. Though some of Galifianakis's antics may feel repetitive for fans familiar with his previous work, it is Downey's incisive performance that keeps the narrative buoyant. While certain jokes may not land for every viewer, "Due Date" succeeds as a comedy with heart, weaving in unexpected poignancy that underscores its humor rather than detracting from it.

"Due Date" combines a stellar cast, led by Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, with a script brimming with humor and unexpected emotional depth. Director Todd Phillips crafts a conventional road trip comedy that manages to deliver fresh, engaging characters despite some outlandish scenarios. The cinematography captures the vast American landscape beautifully, adding another layer of charm to the film. Warner's Blu-ray release enhances this experience significantly with an excellent video transfer that retains crisp details and vibrant colors throughout the movie.

The Blu-ray’s audio experience is equally impressive, showcasing a DTS-HD Master Audio surround track that immerses viewers in every comedic moment and emotional nuance. Character dialogue is clear, and the film's score is balanced perfectly within the mix. Where the Blu-ray falters slightly is in its supplemental content, which is noticeably sparse. A more robust offering of special features could have elevated the overall package, providing deeper insights into the film's production and creative process.

In conclusion, "Due Date" might not reinvent the buddy comedy, but it stands strong thanks to its compelling performances, solid writing, and top-tier Blu-ray audio-visual quality. While the special features section could use improvement, the film's inherent charm and technical excellence make it a worthwhile addition to any collection. Recommended for those looking for a humorous and heartfelt viewing experience.