Laid in America Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray transfer of "Laid in America" delivers a mixed visual experience. Encoded in 1080p using the AVC codec and presented in a theatrical ratio of 2.44:1, the video quality is generally satisfactory but not outstanding. The film benefits from sharp close-ups and vibrant primary colors, particularly reds and purples, which lend some visual appeal. Skin tones appear natural and the consistent contrast helps maintain a stable image. However, the transfer often falls short in conveying depth and nuance, with background details appearing smudgy and soft. The digital photography leaves images appearing rather flat and lacks the serious textual intimacy expected of contemporary releases.

The consistency of the visuals varies noticeably with scene lighting, reflecting likely production origin challenges over transfer issues. Well-lit scenes deliver natural and accurate colors, while night scenes suffer from reduced detail despite maintaining distinct black levels. Indoor scenes tend to be murky, which stands in contrast to high schools’ typical vibrancy, lending an inadvertently somber tone. On the positive side, no significant visual defects or noise are noticed throughout, ensuring a fluid viewing experience. Overall, while "Laid in America" achieves professional presentation quality, it does not particularly stand out, leaving a moderate impression on its viewers.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track of "Laid in America" delivers a serviceable but unimpressive auditory experience. The movie doesn't leverage the full potential of its high-definition audio format, rendering a rather flat and uninspired soundtrack. While the opening Universal Studios theme effectively uses the 5.1 system, this proficiency isn't maintained throughout the film. The sound mix predominantly focuses on dialogue, which is clear, naturally prioritized, and placed firmly in the front-center channel. However, ambient sounds and atmospherics are notably underutilized, lacking any real surround presence or immersive qualities that one might expect from a 5.1 mix.

The auditory experience primarily hinges on the film's musical elements, with intermittent moments of rap songs providing a brief but noticeable vitality to the soundtrack. These moments are exceptions rather than the rule, as the majority of the audio landscape feels almost monophonic despite the multichannel format. The absence of a significant low end and limited use of surround channels detracts from the overall dynamic range of the audio presentation. Consequently, while dialogue remains consistently intelligible—even with distinctive accents—the lack of directionality and bass response leaves the soundscape feeling somewhat constrained and uninspired.

The Blu-ray extras for "Laid in America" are highlighted by an extensive featurette titled "The Making of Laid in America". This nearly hour-long documentary offers an in-depth look at the film's production, spanning all sixteen days of shooting. It features hosts KSI and Caspar Lee alongside various cast and crew members who enthusiastically discuss the differences between filming for YouTube versus a feature film, specific scenes, character details, performances, and locations. The behind-the-scenes footage is compiled from multiple video sources and presented in stereo, providing viewers with a genuine and energetic portrayal of the production process. The documentary is filled with anecdotes and plenty of praise for all involved, making it valuable content for fans of the film and its stars. While some may find parts of it redundant or overly lengthy, its detail and energy make it a significant addition to the Blu-ray set.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Laid in America: A detailed behind-the-scenes documentary featuring cast and crew insights.

"Laid in America" centers on two foreign high school seniors, Duncan (KSI) and Jack (Caspar Lee), who endeavor to lose their virginity on their last night in the U.S. The plot is straightforward: their best hope lies at an end-of-school party hosted by the unwelcoming jock, Tucker (Josh Leyva). To gain admission, they must each bring a hot date. Their adventure leads them through a series of misadventures, including encounters with small-time criminals Goose (Bobby Lee) and his girlfriend Amber (Angela Trimbur), as well as a detour into an S&M palace. Although their journey is punctuated with crude humor and clichéd scenarios, the charisma of its leads occasionally salvages the lackluster screenplay.

Despite some engaging performances, "Laid in America" struggles under the weight of its derivative plot. The screenplay by Sam Milman and Peter Vass lacks originality, leaning heavily on well-worn tropes of the teenage sex comedy genre. The narrative is predictable, and the humor seldom rises above lowbrow jokes and sight gags. Characters are broadly drawn and suffer from cartoonish portrayals, offering little depth or believability. Though some moments, particularly those featuring Bobby Lee’s Goose, provide fleeting entertainment, the film incessantly stumbles over its own juvenile attempts at comedy.

Technically, the movie exhibits a polished finish despite its low budget. However, this sheen cannot mask the fundamental deficiencies in writing and direction. YouTube stars KSI and Caspar Lee competently handle their roles, though their characters' naiveté often feels contrived. Supporting performances vary in quality, with Madison Iseman delivering a notably charming portrayal of Kaylee. Unfortunately, these efforts fail to elevate the film beyond its mediocre premise. Ultimately, “Laid in America” epitomizes the pitfalls of blending internet celebrity culture with traditional cinematic formulas, resulting in a film that barely sustains interest for its brief runtime.

"Laid in America" is a film that struggles to find its footing in both comedy and storytelling, resulting in a lackluster viewing experience. While the cast is enthusiastic and attempts to elevate the uninspired material, the film ultimately fails to deliver consistent laughs or any genuine creativity. The premise is cliched and the execution often feels uninspired, which serves to disappoint more discerning viewers.

Targeted primarily at fans of YouTube stars KSI and Caspar Lee, the movie caters to a specific demographic, albeit inadequately. Despite the film's shortcomings, Universal's Blu-ray release presents a commendably professional production quality. The video and audio aspects are competently handled, ensuring that the technical presentation is solid even if the content is disappointing. Notably, the disc includes a nearly hour-long behind-the-scenes featurette, offering insights into the making of the film—an appreciated addition for those interested in its production background.

In conclusion, "Laid in America" doesn’t offer a compelling reason for a general audience to watch it and falls short of delivering even modest expectations. The Blu-ray’s strong technical attributes and supplementary material provide some redeeming qualities, but the film itself remains a lackluster effort best suited for die-hard fans of the YouTube personalities involved. For most viewers, it’s better relegated as a rental rather than a purchase.