Tower Heist Blu-ray Review

"Tower Heist" arrives on Blu-ray with an exemplary 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, presented in its original 2.4:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The high-definition video quality demonstrates razor-sharpness and exquisite detail, capturing lifelike textures and revealing the subtlest elements within facial features and objects. Close-ups showcase highly refined details, and mid-level camera pans provide excellent depth and dimension. The color palette is broad and vividly rendered, with punchy primaries standing out prominently among a rich spectrum of secondary hues. Skin tones tend to be warm and accurate, although at times slightly over-saturated.

The encode maintains pristine quality with no signs of artifacts, banding, or edge enhancement. Contrast is bold and effectively used to enhance colors without washing out details, while deep blacks ensure strong visual impact during scenes with mixed lighting conditions. However, some occasional aliasing can be observed on specific textures like clothing patterns and surfaces, without significantly detracting from the overall presentation. Another notable aspect is the excellent rendering of shadows and details in darker scenes, providing clear and discernible shapes and structures even in low-light environments.

The transfer is nearly flawless but does present minor issues due to the original filmmaking techniques rather than the encoding itself. Some scenes exhibit inconsistent focal sharpness, where fine details in close-ups may appear occasionally blurred in certain areas of the frame. Despite these minor quibbles, the Blu-ray presentation upholds a high standard of clarity and richness, making "Tower Heist" a visually delightful experience. Technical attributes like edge definition and fine texture resolution are outstanding, resulting in a compelling and immersive viewing experience that stands out on the Blu-ray format.

The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track of "Tower Heist" delivers a mostly commendable performance, blending clear and coherent dialogue with impressively detailed sound effects that bring the bustling atmosphere of New York City to life. Dialogue is consistently intelligible, primarily occupying the frontal array and dominating other audio elements. Effects are finely tuned, capturing both the vibrant cityscape and the subtleties of the Tower itself. Though primarily front-oriented, the mix showcases good channel separation and effective use of ambient sounds during crucial scenes.

While the mix features a robust and dynamic range, certain elements like music scores significantly stand out. Christophe Beck's score punctuates critical moments with hefty, weighty bass lines and a well-implemented LFE output that adds palpable presence to low frequencies. The third act’s immersive audio design enhances the viewing experience with creaking cables, groaning metal, and assertive rear speaker activity that creates a fully engaging sound field.

Despite these strengths, "Tower Heist" doesn’t quite achieve reference quality due to sporadic use of surround channels. Certain action sequences and climactic moments engage the audience with lively surround work and decent bass undercurrents, but overall, the rear and surround channels are underutilized. This results in a listening experience that at times feels two-dimensional. More consistent dynamic observation and punchy material could have elevated this track to demo-worthy status. Nonetheless, the audio mix enhances the film's narrative and significantly bolsters its more exciting moments.

The Blu-ray extras for "Tower Heist" are impressively comprehensive, offering audiences a multifaceted insight into the production. The Audio Commentary is a standout, providing entertaining and engaging anecdotes from director Brett Ratner, editor Mark Helfrich, and writers Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson. The Plotting Tower Heist documentary is substantial, divided into six distinct featurettes, adding significant depth to the behind-the-scenes experience. Brett Ratner’s Video Diary captures candid moments, although its raw, unstructured style might not appeal to all viewers. The inclusion of U-Control features, while not overly informative, complements the interactive experience. The alternate endings and deleted/alternate scenes considerably extend the narrative, providing fans with additional context and humor. Overall, the extras elevate the viewing experience considerably.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Fun and engaging insights from the director and writers.
• Plotting Tower Heist: Six-part documentary with cast/crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Brett Ratner's Video Diary: Unstructured but candid behind-the-scenes look.
• Alternate Endings: Two different takes offering additional narrative closure.
• Deleted/Alternate Scenes: Nine scenes with additional narrative elements.
• Gag Reel: Light-hearted and entertaining goofs.
• Second Screen Interactive Experience: Syncs with tablet or PC for interactive viewing.
• U-Control Experience: Two tracks with limited yet complementary content.
• BD-Live Functionality: Access additional content online.
• My Scenes Bookmarking: Save favorite scenes for easy access.
• Bonus DVD & Digital Copy: Additional formats included.

"Tower Heist," directed by Brett Ratner, features an ensemble cast led by Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy in a comedic heist movie centered around a luxury condo manager's quest for revenge against a Bernie Madoff-esque Wall Street swindler. The plot follows Stiller's character, Josh Kovacs, who recruits a motley crew of employees to reclaim stolen pension funds hidden in the penthouse of billionaire Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). Bolstered by Murphy’s return to form as the scene-stealing petty crook Slide, the film gains much-needed energy and humor, transforming from a sluggish start to an engaging and amusing caper. The late-entry inclusion of Murphy revitalizes the narrative, recalling his classic-era performances and making his character a standout reason to watch.

Technically, the Blu-ray release shines with excellent video quality and very good audio that captures the dialogue and soundtrack dynamically. The disc offers a decent selection of extras, including several preferable alternate endings. However, the film's script suffers from the tinkering of numerous writers, leading to a bloated and aimless first act. Ratner’s direction is competent; he taps into mainstream tastes with simple jokes and light-hearted thrills, but ultimately fails to elevate "Tower Heist" beyond its formulaic roots. Unmemorable performances by some cast members, such as Casey Affleck and Michael Peña, were offset by highlights like T�a Leoni’s FBI agent and moments of physical comedy involving Alan Alda.

In conclusion, while "Tower Heist" is not groundbreaking, it delivers enough humor and escapist fun to warrant a watch, especially for fans of Murphy's older work. Its premise isn’t fresh or tightly executed like "Ocean's Eleven," but it sticks to a commercially friendly formula that works for a casual viewing experience. The Blu-ray package adds value with its technical quality and bonus features, making it a solid rental option.

"Tower Heist" undeniably borrows heavily from the "Ocean's Eleven" playbook, incorporating a similar heist plot with a touch of contemporary economic discontent. While Eddie Murphy's exaggerated performance and Matthew Broderick's apparent lack of effort occasionally hinder the film's momentum, the rest of the ensemble cast delivers a solid effort, elevating the movie from mediocrity. Universal's Blu-ray release of the film is particularly noteworthy, offering an impressive video transfer and a robust DTS-HD Master Audio track. Additionally, the disc boasts a comprehensive package of special features that enrich the viewing experience.

Initially hampered by a lackluster trailer and skepticism toward Brett Ratner's directorial capabilities, "Tower Heist" emerges as a surprisingly engaging film. Despite an unremarkable first act, the film significantly improves with Eddie Murphy's dynamic entrance, which injects much-needed energy and humor. My initial low expectations may have contributed to my pleasant surprise, but a second viewing confirmed its entertainment value, persuading me to increase my rating. The Blu-ray format accentuates the film’s visual appeal, though it could benefit from a more potent audio mix.

In conclusion, "Tower Heist" may not redefine the heist genre, but it provides an enjoyable cinematic experience when approached with moderated expectations. Universal's Blu-ray release enhances this with high-quality visuals, sound, and bonus content that delve deeply into production nuances. For those on the fence, renting before buying is advisable; however, fans of Ratner's work or ensemble heist movies will find much to appreciate in this Blu-ray edition.