Another Stakeout Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Another Stakeout Blu-ray Movie Review

Another Stakeout - Another Blu-ray: Now with Surround Sound

Featuring the comedic-duo of Richard Dreyfuss (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) and Emilio Estevez (The Breakfast Club), Another Stakeout again reunites the lovably offbeat Seattle detectives from the hit comedy Stakeout (1987). This time around the eccentric pair are joined by the new hard hitting D.A. Gina Garrett (Rosie O'Donnell). Working together despite their clashing egos, the zany trio act as father-son and (second) wife. Concerned about a key witness surrounding a huge mafia case, the trio do a stakeout together because of a witness for their big showdown. Directed by John Badham (Stakeout, Saturday Night Fever, Short Circuit), Another Stakeout is a comedic ensemble showpiece sure to please fans of the original.

"Is that a U.F.O. or am I eating too many mashed potatoes?"

For more information on the film and a full review please refer to my colleague Martin Liebman's review.

Another Stakeout Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Another Stakeout arrives on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation. The release is presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The encode is presented with a 22 mbps bit-rate. The release is generally a nice looking presentation with good color depth, clarity, and overall detail. The image is free of distracting dirt, debris, and egregious print damage. There are no signs whatsoever of banding on the image.

Though the release has some minor detriments to the presentation (like occasional edge enhancement) the overall video quality on this encode pleases and shouldn't disappoint fans of the film. Though I do not own both releases, I imagine the transfer most likely bears a striking resemblance to the previous edition as reviewed by my colleague Martin Liebman here.

Another Stakeout Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The best reason to consider upgrading from the previous Blu-ray edition (for those who already own the 2011 Mill Creek release) is the change in audio. While the previous Blu-ray edition sported only a 2.0 lossless soundtrack, the new re-release sports both a 2.0 lossless track as well as a great sounding 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound presentation. This surround presentation far and away surpassed my modest expectations.

There is great immersion with this sound mix and it uses each speaker with great effect. Though this is not the most complex of surround presentations the detail and clarity is superb. It greatly enhanced the experience with more bass for the action sequences. Some surround sound presentations for comedies can be mediocre-at-best but this was not the case with Another Stakeout (which was greatly enhanced by a most robust sound-mix). Dialogue clarity is also excellent. Optional English subtitles are provided.

Another Stakeout Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Another Stakeout Trailer (SD, 2:09)

Though I wish that I could report that there is a secret bonus movie available on this release (aka: the inclusion of Stakeout, which is still missing a Blu-ray release as of this writing) the only other "bonus features" on this edition are some trailers promoting other releases made available by Kino Lorber: The Gun In Betty Lou's Handbag (SD, 00:52), Aspen Extreme (SD, 2:21), and The Marrying Man (SD, 3:13).

Another Stakeout Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Another Stakeout is not a "classic" comedy in any regard. In fact, the film is essentially a bad movie on many levels with a weak script and average production elements dragging it down. However, it's the fun had by the charming cast which makes it an entertaining film worth watching despite its obvious flaws: Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez, and Rosie O'Donnell entertain with their goofy-antics.

The Blu-ray release sports a lossless 5.1 surround sound track (which was missing from the previous Mill Creek edition released in 2011). Though the release lacks any meaningful supplemental features and is not a total home run release, fans hoping to own the best edition of the film should consider this a worthwhile pickup. A modest recommendation for die-hard fans.