Why Him? 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Why Him?" courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment showcases the film in a 2160p resolution with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, offering an upgrade over the standard Blu-ray version that is subtly impressive yet occasionally leaves viewers wanting more. From the outset, there's an expected uptick in the vividness of colors—primaries and earth tones appear more vibrant, and flesh tones gain a natural warmth. The digitally shot film, presumably finished at a 2K Digital Intermediate (DI), benefits from HDR's rejiggering of the palette, which enhances both detail levels and color reproduction. Fine details—such as facial features, texture in clothing, and the environment of Laird's ultramodern mansion—gain precision and a tactile appearance not as pronounced in the 1080p version. Notably, moments like the long party scene exhibit a new color depth with purples showing a bluish undertone that may subtly improve shadow detail.

The 4K presentation thrives on its lively palette, enriching every scene with a slightly broader range of warm, cheerful secondary hues, and making primaries like reds and greens pop with life, contributing to the film's comedic and vibrant essence. Cinematography by Kris Kachikis shines with perfect contrast levels, and whites are crisp and clear, enhancing visibility and rendering an improved resolution over its Blu-ray counterpart. Specular highlights display marked refinement, offering a more realistic gleaming effect off surfaces and details in the environment. Black levels are deep and rich, bringing out gradational differences that lend the image quality a lovely cinematic depth, amply compensating for occasional softness and very slight judder during lateral pans.

In terms of technical prowess, the HEVC H.265 encoding masterfully handles detail and clarity, effectively leveraging the capabilities of Arri Alexa cameras to bring out texture in fabrics, skin, and environmental features with exceptional clarity. Color reproduction excels, striking a balance between brightness and naturalism across both the 1080p and 4K versions while ensuring flesh tones appear healthy and natural. The enhanced depth of field imbues on-screen characters with a three-dimensional pop against detailed backdrops, particularly evident in the expansive settings such as Laird’s estate. Overall, despite a few minor quibbles regarding soft shots and negligible aliasing absent in this 4K version, noise and artifacts are notably absent, making for a clean, visually engaging experience that marks a definitive improvement over its Blu-ray release.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Why Him?" boasts an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack that remains consistent with its Blu-ray counterpart, offering a full-bodied, articulate, and dynamically gratifying audio experience. The tonal balance is commendable, with high-level details that make the soundstage transitions seamless. Bass reproduction is both taut and robust, particularly during scenes with a heavier low-end presence. This release makes excellent use of surround channels to create an immersive environment, adeptly replicating both discrete sounds and ambient noises, thereby enveloping the viewer in a convincingly vibrant soundfield.

In terms of dialogue and on-screen action, the audio track excels with clear and precise reproduction, capturing the nuances of character interactions with remarkable clarity. The directional effects contribute to a spacious soundstage, maintaining distinct separation between quieter and louder moments. Notably, the soundtrack brings to life the eclectic atmosphere of Laird's farm-like sanctuary, enhancing the peculiar charm of the setting with the sounds of exotic animals and bustling activity. The layering of sound creates an engaging auditory experience that complements the visual elements perfectly.

The technical specifications highlight the versatility of this audio presentation, supporting a range of audio formats beyond the English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track. Subtitle options and additional language tracks cater to a diverse audience. Dynamic range varies throughout, adequately reflecting the comedic nature of the film, with certain action sequences and party scenes delivering spontaneous bursts of energy through both the LFE channel and rear surrounds. Overall, the audio track of "Why Him?" on 4K UHD Blu-ray exemplifies superior sound design, ensuring that dialogue remains prioritized and intelligible while immersing viewers in a uniquely entertaining auditory experience.

The "Why Him?" 4K UHD Blu-ray release combines a rich tapestry of behind-the-scenes content and deleted materials with an engaging audio commentary, bringing the film's comedic elements and production intricacies into sharper focus. Notably, the set's highlight is the audio commentary featuring Director John Hamburg, Co-Writer Ian Helfer, and Editor William Kerr, offering insightful and entertaining perspectives on the movie's making. The addition of numerous HD extras, including the delightful "47 Minutes on the Can" and various character-centric vignettes like "Barb Fleming: America's Mom" and "Why Gustav?", enriches the viewing experience. Also noteworthy is the "Deleted Scenes" collection, providing a glimpse into the editorial decisions that shaped the final cut. Despite the absence of an unrated version, the package's comprehensive inclusion of gag reels, galleries, and a theatrical trailer, alongside a redeemable digital HD copy, ensures a fulfilling experience for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Why Him? Gag Reel: Outtakes and bloopers from the film.
• 47 Minutes on the Can: Focused segment on Bryan Cranston's smart toilet scene.
• Why Gustav?: Highlights of Keegan Michael-Key's character.
• Barb Fleming: America's Mom: Spotlight on Megan Mullaly's performance.
• Lou The Entertainer: Features scenes with Cedric the Entertainer.
• Richard Blais: Twisted Chef: Segments featuring Richard Blais.
• Deleted Scenes: A collection of scenes not included in the final film.
• Audio Commentary by John Hamburg, Ian Helfer, and William Kerr: Discussion on the making of the film.
• Gallery: A collection of images from the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer for "Why Him?".

Why Him?" presents the age-old narrative of an overprotective father facing his worst nightmare: his daughter's unconventional partner, with the film bringing the duo of Bryan Cranston and James Franco together in roles that seem tailor-made for their comedic and dramatic chops. Cranston's Ned, a by-the-book dad, finds himself in a world of discomfort as he encounters Franco's Laird, a freewheeling Silicon Valley magnate with intentions to marry Ned's daughter. The film, while not breaking new comedic ground, manages to entertain with its mix of age-old familial conflict and modern-day challenges, serving up both cringe-worthy and laugh-out-loud moments facilitated by a script that thrives on the awkwardness between the old guard and the new.

At its heart, "Why Him?" explores themes of acceptance and the ever-present clash between traditional values and the forward march of technological innovation, underscored by Ned's realization that his daughter's future lies in a world vastly different from his own. Despite its reliance on jokes that sometimes feel like comedic low-hanging fruit, the film distinguishes itself with earnest performances and a genuine rapport among the cast. James Franco's unabashed portrayal of Laird injects a refreshing lack of pretense into the storyline, while Bryan Cranston manages to evoke sympathy for Ned’s plight without veering into caricature. Supporting roles from Zoey Deutch, Megan Mullally, and Keegan-Michael Key contribute notable highlights, ensuring the comedic beats resonate as much as the film’s emotional undercurrents.

In conclusion, "Why Him?" doesn't reinvent the wheel but instead polishes it with a blend of heartfelt moments and effective humor, anchored by strong performances and a clear understanding of its comedic objectives. The film adeptly handles its familiar premise with a contemporary twist, resulting in a movie experience that feels both comfortable in its predictability and delightful in its execution. Its merit lies not in groundbreaking originality but in its ability to entertain and engage audiences willing to embark on this humorous familial journey.

Why Him?" lands on the 4K UHD Blu-ray stage with a presentation that mirrors the film's essence: a mix of solid performances and comedic reliefs wrapped in a storyline that might not break new ground but still manages to entertain. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment delivers this comedy in an Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, offering up a viewing experience that sports fair Ultra HD video quality, complemented by an exceptional high definition audio/video performance. While the script might leave the stellar cast of Bryan Cranston, James Franco, Megan Mullally, and Keegan-Michael Key wanting, their undeniable chemistry and comedic timing breathe life into this meet-the-in-laws narrative, delivering enough laughs to keep the audience engaged. The film’s 4K UHD rendition, albeit subtle, enhances the visual pleasure with improved detail levels and a palette that leans towards naturalistic, making it a worthwhile pick for fans deeply in love with its content.

Though "Why Him?" treads familiar territory in its plot, it does so with enough raucous humor and heart, courtesy of its commendable cast, to render it an entertaining viewing, despite it not being particularly memorable. The 4K Ultra HD package itself is lauded for its superior video and audio execution but receives a nod of mild disappointment for its uninspiring set of supplements. As far as the overall UHD experience is concerned, it gets a recommendation for fans, especially those looking for a stress-reliever or simply a good laugh courtesy of the dynamic yet hilarious clash between Cranston and Franco, which reminds one of classic comedy pairs.

Conclusively, "Why Him?" in its 4K UHD Blu-ray attire brings to the table exactly what it sets out to offer—a light-hearted, laughter-filled viewing experience enhanced by high-quality audiovisual presentation. While it may not elevate the moviegoer's experience to new heights with its narrative or supplemental content, it succeeds in providing nonstop entertainment and serves as a merry addition to one's collection. Whether for reliving the comedic moments or appreciating the technical improvement in picture and sound quality, "Why Him?" remains worthy of adorning your 4K UHD library.