Arthur Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of the 2011 "Arthur" remake features a 1080p High Definition video presentation in its original 1.85:1 widescreen theatrical aspect ratio. The transfer is generally sharp, with strong detail throughout and minimal edge enhancement or Digital Noise Reduction (DNR). However, the film suffers from an overly vivid color scheme, with exaggerated contrast leading to unrealistic skin tones varying from orange to lifelike. A filmic grain persists but occasionally devolves into random noise. One glaring issue occurs at the 17-minute mark, where Brand and Mirren appear out of focus, almost digitized. Despite robust blacks with minor crush, the video presentation has significant flaws that detract from an otherwise decent transfer.

The transfer also showcases Uta Briesewitz's extravagant, vibrantly loud palette. Primary colors are punchy and dynamic, though skintones range inconsistently from bronzed to flushed. While the detail is the highlight of this transfer, it is often compromised by searing whites and deep blacks that obscure finer textures. Nevertheless, object definition and overall clarity remain commendable, with minimal ringing and reduced artifacting, banding, aliasing, and smearing—issues attributable to the original cinematography. The presentation fares decently overall, albeit with a notably overcooked and overheated look.

Reflecting Jason Winer's transition from TV direction to film, "Arthur" is marred by closely shot scenes with odd lighting, exacerbated by the Blu-ray's amplification of these choices. The slightly saturated film induces sharp colors and high contrast that further highlight the cinematic missteps rather than correcting them. While the Blu-ray faithfully reproduces the intended color palette, it reveals limitations in execution. Nonetheless, within these parameters, the 1080p AVC-encoded transfer offers a respectable visual experience for viewers.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix of the Blu-ray presentation of "Arthur" offers a solid audio experience, though it may not rise to reference quality. The dialogue delivery is clean, clear, and consistently coherent throughout, establishing a front-heavy soundfield that effectively captures the film's verbose nature. The frontal array dominates with the conversations, leaving ambient effects and music to fill the rear channels sparingly yet effectively. The score subtly engages the surrounds, enhancing the listening experience without overwhelming it.

Although low-key effects and ambient noise characterize the majority of the sound design, there are standout moments that give heft and directionality to the LFE channel—most notably during scenes involving more dynamic elements like Batmobile booster rockets and magnet beds. The mix achieves a relatively immersive city soundscape, with traffic, crowd murmurs, and Theodore Shapiro's music weaving seamlessly into the background.

Overall, "Arthur's" audio mix fulfills its center-biased, dialogue-centric task admirably. While it doesn't exploit the full potential of surround sound capabilities, fans will likely find little room for complaint. The soundtrack succeeds in creating a believable, bustling auditory environment that complements the film’s comedic tone and visual storytelling.

The Blu-ray extras for "Arthur" are fairly limited but provide some entertaining moments despite the overall brevity. The standout is "Arthur Unsupervised!", a featurette filled with behind-the-scenes antics and impromptu moments from the cast, particularly Russell Brand, offering a glimpse of a potentially much funnier movie. The additional footage includes a handful of deleted scenes, though they are not significantly more engaging than the final cut. The Gag Reel is disappointingly short, giving only a brief look at the humorous outtakes, and the standard trailers are largely skippable.

Extras included in this disc:

Arthur Unsupervised!: A behind-the-scenes feature with cast interviews and unseen footage.

Additional Footage: Deleted scenes that didn't make it into the final movie.

Gag Reel: A very brief compilation of outtakes.

Trailers: Various promotional previews.

Jason Winer's 2011 remake of "Arthur" starring Russell Brand attempts to update the classic 1981 comedy for modern audiences, but the result is a mixed bag. The central narrative follows Arthur Bach, a ludicrously wealthy and irresponsible playboy whose antics earn the ire of his mother, Vivienne (Geraldine James). Pressured into a marriage of convenience with Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner) to maintain his inheritance, Arthur’s life takes an unexpected turn when he falls for Naomi, a quirky tour guide (Greta Gerwig). While the movie tries to balance humor and emotional depth through Arthur's journey towards maturity, it often feels tonally inconsistent and restrained. This holds especially true for fans of Brand, who may find his usual flamboyant improvisational style curbed to fit a more conventional Hollywood mold.

The comedic effectiveness of "Arthur" varies, largely hinging on subjective taste. Brand's portrayal of Arthur retains a certain charm, particularly in the film’s more tender moments with his nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) and Naomi. However, the story’s shifts between silly escapades and sincere emotional beats often feel disjointed. Supporting roles are hit-or-miss; Helen Mirren delivers a commendable performance but the chemistry with Brand doesn’t quite reach the compelling mentor-mentee relationship seen in the original. Jennifer Garner’s Susan is overly caricatured, making her hard to invest in, whereas Luis Guzman provides occasional chuckles without being given much to do.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation of "Arthur" disappoints. While one would expect a recent high-definition production to shine, the video quality falls short, marred by noticeable flaws. Audio performance is adequate but lacks dynamism. Extras on the disc are sparse, with only some improvisational footage offering any significant added value. Ultimately, despite moments of heart and humor, "Arthur" struggles to emerge from the shadow of its predecessor and fails to deliver consistently as a romantic comedy. Prospective viewers might find it best to approach with tempered expectations or consider it a light rental option.

In scrutinizing the Blu-Ray release of "Arthur," we observe both commendable and less impressive aspects of this edition. The video transfer demonstrates a commendable commitment to high-definition quality, displaying a sharp and vibrant 1080p resolution that enhances the visual experience. Colors are vivid, with well-maintained detail and contrast that stand out. Blacks are deep and consistent, though occasional softness in some scenes slightly mars an otherwise solid presentation. The DTS-HD Master Audio track is robust, delivering clear dialogue and a dynamic range that effectively envelops the viewer in the film's auditory landscape. The sound mixing reveals meticulous attention to atmospheric details and musical elements, elevating the overall viewing experience.

However, this Blu-Ray edition falters in the area of supplementary content. The included twenty-minute featurette feels insubstantial, offering just a cursory glance at the making of the film and failing to provide deeper insights or comprehensive behind-the-scenes perspectives. This lack of substantial bonus material represents a missed opportunity to enrich the audience's understanding and appreciation of the film.

Overall, there’s no way to tell if "Arthur" will appeal to your particular comedy tastes. It roped me in, but the majority of critics haven't been kind. Fortunately, Warner's high-definition AV presentation isn't quite so problematic. With an above-average video transfer and a surefire DTS-HD Master Audio track, the only underwhelming aspect of the film's Blu-ray release is its paltry twenty-minute supplemental package. Suffice it to say, a rental is in order. If you're lucky, you might just warm up to "Arthur" as much as I did.