Mr. Woodcock Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Mr. Woodcock" is showcased in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p/VC-1 transfer, revealing a level of video quality that exceptionally borders on perfection for the format. This film deviates from the typical color saturation seen in many comedies, opting instead for a more subdued palette that lends the film a retro, '70s feel, reminiscent of the visual tone in "Superbad." The transfer achieves a compelling rendition of dark reds, maroons, grays, and tans, which, while not popping off the screen, display a remarkable accuracy and steadiness that contributes significantly to the film's unique atmosphere. Despite its slight departure from razor-sharp imagery, showing a bit of softness and minimal grain that seem inherent to the film's original stock, the video quality impressively maintains deep and consistent black levels without any artificial manipulation.

Observers will appreciate the exceptional depth, detail, and lifelike skin tones that stand out in this transfer. However, it's worth noting some minor issues such as artifacting observed in the gymnasium scenes, as well as occasional fluctuations in contrast and a few shots that appear somewhat softer than others. These are minor setbacks in what is otherwise laudable for its fidelity to the cinematic original. The attention to maintaining a natural yet muted color scheme without succumbing to blockiness or crushing in the blacks contributes to a visually appealing experience.

In summary, "Mr. Woodcock" looks astonishingly good on Blu-ray. The video presentation successfully captures and enhances the film's intended visual mood with excellent stability in color reproduction and impressive detail improvement over its DVD counterpart. While there are minor drawbacks like limited sharpness and slight artifact presence, these do not detract significantly from an overall strong transfer that admirably replicates and sometimes surpasses the theatrical viewing experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track included with the Blu-ray release of "Mr. Woodcock" presents a technically solid but somewhat unremarkable auditory experience, given the comedy’s dialogue-driven nature. The lossless audio setup, while a boon for audiophiles eager to experience every nuance of sound, doesn't significantly elevate the film's mostly subdued soundscape. Initial moments promise an immersive auditory experience, notably through sharp and lifelike effects such as Mr. Woodcock’s whistle and the authoritative bounce of a basketball, which showcase the track’s clarity and the subwoofer’s capacity for depth. However, these highlights give way to a performance that maintains quality without offering much in the way of aural excitement.

Dialogue remains clear and natural throughout, benefiting from the track’s fidelity to render voices with realism, avoiding any sense of artificial enhancement. The narrative's focus on verbal exchanges ensures that this aspect of the audio track is its most polished element. The soundstage is predominantly front-loaded, with a decent distribution of sound that creates a somewhat dynamic environment during conversational scenes. Although the surround channels contribute ambient noises and occasional spatial effects, their utilization is sparse, suggesting a missed opportunity to further immerse viewers in the film’s settings.

Despite the DTS-HD MA 7.1's capacity to deliver rich and detailed audio, "Mr. Woodcock" does not consistently leverage this potential, especially given its comedic genre. The environmental acoustics offer only incremental improvements over what might have been achieved with a more conventional 5.1 setup. Consequently, while the audio track is free of technical flaws and succeeds in capturing the direct sounds with ease, it ultimately feels underutilized, with only fleeting moments—such as gymnasium scenes and pool acoustics—offering a glimpse of what could have been a more consistently engaging sonic experience.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Mr. Woodcock" leaves a lot to be desired in terms of special features, offering a modest assortment that seems to barely exceed the content of its DVD counterpart. The high-definition extras consist of ten deleted and alternate scenes totaling nearly 13 minutes, which, while visually on par with the main feature, offer little in the way of enhancing the overall narrative. "The Making of 'Mr. Woodcock'" featurette, running for about 15 minutes, is more of an extended promotional piece rather than a deep dive into the filmmaking process, with its most notable moments coming from comedic contributions by cast members, particularly Amy Poehler. The "P.E. Trauma Tales" segment attempts to blend nostalgia and humor by juxtaposing cast and crew's childhood gym class anecdotes with insights from a veteran P.E. teacher, but its appeal wanes after the initial viewing. Rounding out the extras is the film's theatrical trailer. Despite these offerings, those looking for a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at "Mr. Woodcock" may find themselves disappointed.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted and Alternate Scenes: A collection of ten scenes cut from the final film.
• The Making of Mr. Woodcock: Cast and crew discuss the film's production.
• P.E. Trauma Tales: Features both cast reminiscences of gym class and insights from a real-life gym teacher.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer for "Mr. Woodcock".

"Mr. Woodcock," a comedy that marries the talents of Billy Bob Thornton, Sean William Scott, and Susan Sarandon, lands as an underachieving entry into the realm of dark comedies, promising more laughs on paper than it delivers on screen. Centered around the tumultuous relationship between John Farley (Scott), a self-help author and motivational speaker, and Jasper Woodcock (Thornton), the eponymous gym teacher from his youth whose tough-love methods are as questionable as they are memorable, the film aims to explore themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and overcoming childhood traumas. However, the execution wavers, presenting a series of misadventures that range from borderline slapstick to cringeworthy, seldom hitting the comedic sweet spot.

Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of Woodcock is a highlight, managing to walk a fine line between outright antagonism and misunderstood mentorship. His character represents a typecast he has perfected over the years: abrasive on the surface with a nuanced underbelly of complexity. Sean William Scott's Farley, in contrast, lacks the depth and sympathetic edge needed to root for his journey fully. The narrative's attempt to evoke humor from Farley's desperation to thwart Woodcock's marriage to his mother (Sarandon) feels like a series of missed opportunities for both character development and genuine comedy. The film’s visual presentation on Blu-ray is commendable, boasting crisp images that enhance its aesthetic appeal, yet it's the substance beneath that fails to match up, rendering "Mr. Woodcock" a visually pleasant yet substantively lacking viewing experience.

Despite its aspirations and a few moments that manage to elicit genuine laughter, "Mr. Woodcock" struggles to find its comedic footing amidst a sea of clichés and half-baked gags. The performances of Thornton and moments of potential wit shine dimly in an otherwise predictable plot that feels reminiscent of earlier, more successful endeavors in the genre. While the film may attract viewers with its cast and premise, it ultimately serves as a reminder that even the most talented actors can only elevate material to the extent that the script allows. Consequently, while it may not be the lowest point in comedy, "Mr. Woodcock" leaves much to be desired in both its humor and handling of complex character dynamics.

'Mr. Woodcock,' featuring Billy Bob Thornton in a premise ripe with potential, ultimately presents a mixed bag both in terms of its cinematic execution and its Blu-ray presentation. The film itself struggles to consistently entertain, vacillating between moments of humor that occasionally hit the mark and a reliance on clichéd, crude jests that fail to fully engage the audience. Thornton's constrained performance, while competent, doesn't reach the comedic highs expected, possibly due to the film's reluctance to fully embrace the darker, more audacious comedy that could have set it apart. On the technical front, the Blu-ray release delivers a satisfactory but unremarkable picture quality that ensures a decent high-definition viewing experience without pushing the boundaries of the format.

The audio presentation of 'Mr. Woodcock' on Blu-ray leaves something to be desired, with a mix that sometimes feels lackluster, failing to complement the film's comedic or dramatic moments effectively. Additionally, the sparse assortment of supplemental materials further underscores the overall feeling of an opportunity missed, both in terms of enriching the context of the film and leveraging the capabilities of the Blu-ray format for a more engaging home theater experience.

In conclusion, while 'Mr. Woodcock' and its Blu-ray release both showcase moments of promise, neither fully realizes their potential. The film suffers from an inconsistent tone and underutilization of Thornton's talents, compounded by a Blu-ray presentation that, aside from a competent video transfer, does little to enhance the viewing experience or justify a recommendation. Fans of Thornton may find some value here, but for those seeking a memorable dark comedy or a standout Blu-ray experience, this release may not meet expectations.