Are We Done Yet? Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Are We Done Yet? Blu-ray Movie Review

A surprisingly funny and touching Family Comedy sports solid picture quality.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 15, 2009

I can fix that.

The Family Comedy has acquired something of a bad rap over the years. Without much in the way of bona-fide classics or even simply a good selection of well-made movies to point to as standard-bearers of the genre, the negativity seems at least somewhat deserved. With the market flooded by atrocious pictures like RV and Daddy Day Camp and only moderately passable fare like College Road Trip, it's no wonder that many film fans have turned up their noses and closed their wallets to what appears to be a sinking ship devoid of creativity and legitimately funny story lines, banking instead on stale plot lines and washed up actors to pique even the slightest bit of interest in the latest in family-friendly entertainment. One of the more recent efforts is Are We Done Yet?, a sequel to the critically-panned Are We There Yet?, both films starring the versatile Ice Cube (First Sunday). Though certainly not a prize-winning film, Are We Done Yet? does restore a bit of faith in an otherwise floundering market.

How many Persons' does it take to change a lightbulb?

Aspiring sports journalist Nick Persons (Ice Cube) is living with his family in a cramped apartment. With his wife pregnant with twins and Nick not having sufficient space to work, it's decided that what the family needs is a new place to call home. They settle on a fixer-upper of a home in a beautifully idyllic country setting where it seems nothing could go wrong. The neighbors are friendly (if not a little fish-happy); Nick believes they can afford the house; and to save money, he sets out to make the number of seemingly minor needed repairs to the home himself. When Nick soon learns that he's out of his league as a budding Bob Vila, he calls a contractor, who turns out to be the same person that sold him the house, Chuck Mitchell (John C. McGinley, Point Break). Chuck estimates it will cost thousands of dollars to repair the electrical system alone, and Nick chooses to go with a cheaper option. Enter Chuck again, this time wearing his home inspector's hat, announcing that Nick's "fixed" electricity is in violation of ordinance. Nick finally relents, allowing the proper repairs the home needs -- which eventually encompass most every square inch of the structure. With Nick constantly at Chuck's throat, Nick's family takes a liking to the real estate agent/contractor/inspector, causing a schism in the family that threatens to become bigger than the hole in the middle of the living room floor.

Are We Done Yet? immediately sets a charming, light, and fun tone with an animated title sequence that's somewhat reminiscent of that used to excellent effect in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Here, the theme of the movie is captured in but a few short minutes; it features Nick attempting to "repair" the credits, and he gets steamrolled on several occasions by them. Seeing as quite a bit of Are We Done Yet? features Nick falling victim to various hazards around the house, the scene works nicely and immediately tells the audience not to expect much, and low expectations are key to enjoying Are We Done Yet?. While the film isn't likely to crack anyone's top-ten list, it makes for a fun time at the movies given that viewers can take it at face value, enjoy it for what it has to offer, and not find fault with too much that makes it onto the screen. Light, innocent, surprisingly funny, and featuring the obligatory heartwarming ending that, for once, actually has some clout and purpose behind it, Are We Done Yet? is truly one of the better of its kind.

Ice Cube may very well be one of the more underrated actors working today. He doesn't come from the more classically-trained mold of a Patrick Stewart or Kenneth Branagh, but he's shown a surprisingly good range and ability to play several types of characters in several genres, all rather seamlessly and with an abundance of energy and professionalism. Whether playing an ex-convict-turned-super-agent in xXx: State of the Union, a violence-first thug in the underrated Trespass, a Marine in Three Kings, or a father and family man in Are We Done Yet?, Cube never seems to have a bad role or play his part with anything less than his absolute best effort. Starring opposite Ice Cube is the equally versatile John C. McGinley who seems just as much at home playing Sergeant O'Neil in Platoon as he does one of the Bob's in Office Space or multi-profession Chuck Mitchell in Are We Done Yet?. McGinley's character is not only the driving force behind Are We Done Yet?'s plot as the real estate agent, contractor, and home inspector, but also its emotional core. His effort may be seen as even more impressive once his character's secret is revealed in the final act, and while the film ends as-expected, his arc lends to the film the necessary weight to give meaning to the story and purpose to the characters once most of the jokes have played out.

Are We Done Yet? Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Are We Done Yet? arrives on Blu-ray with a high quality 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. The animated opening title sequence features a nice array of vivid colors that reinforce the intended tone of the picture. The live-action footage exhibits a pleasant, film-like transfer throughout. Colors are bold but a bit warm, and flesh tones sport a slightly rosy appearance. Fine detail is very nice. The interior of the home feels warm and inviting, and the transfer reveals plenty of small nuances, including chipped paint, grimy walls, and scuffs on the hardwood flooring. Outside the home, the transfer is equally impressive. The landscaping is lush and nicely detailed, with every leaf appearing as an individual. The stone wall surrounding the house boasts fabulous texture. Black levels are solid, and a very thin veneer of grain adds to a nicely done transfer from Sony.

Are We Done Yet? Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Are We Done Yet? features a nice, clear, and satisfying PCM 5.1 uncompressed soundtrack. The film's unoriginal family-themed, almost cartoonish score delivers a breezy, clean, and fun listen over the opening title sequence, delivering a nice sense of space as it flows from every speaker in the 5.1 configuration. Some of the outdoor scenes feature realistic ambience. Grass crunches underfoot, leaves rustle, insects buzz, and rain falls and thunder claps in the background in chapter 13 to subtle yet realistic effect. Meanwhile, background hammering and sawing on the house at several points throughout lend a sense of sonic completion to the film. Bass shakes appropriately when Nick crashes through his roof in his pursuit of a raccoon, but the low end doesn't come alive for much more than that. With strong dialogue reproduction, Are We Done Yet?'s uncompressed soundtrack is a winner.

Are We Done Yet? Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Are We Done Yet? moves onto Blu-ray with only a few minor extras. KIDding Around on the Set: Making 'Are We Done Yet?' (1080p, 6:50) features young actors Philip Daniel Bolden ("Kevin") and Aleisha Allen ("Lindsey") taking viewers on a tour around the set for a typical day of shooting action. Next up is a collection of bloopers (480p, 3:07), followed by The 'Are We Done Yet?' Film Quiz (1080p, 8:51), a multiple-choice quiz, hosted by Philip Daniel Bolden. Finally, Chuck Mitchell, Jr.: Jack of All Trades (1080p, 5:09) takes a closer look at John C. McGinley's character in the film.

Are We Done Yet? Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Are We Done Yet? isn't a Comedy that's in the same league as the best of Mel Brooks or Mike Judge, but as family-oriented fare, it's hard to find films that are worlds better than this one. Funny, touching, and surprisingly moving at the end, Are We Done Yet? also delivers a pair of above-average performance from its two leading men, rounding out a highly watchable and generally entertaining romp through the world of family and home repairs. Sony's Blu-ray release serves the film nicely. Featuring strong audio and video presentations and a few easy extras, Are We Done Yet? comes recommended for family movie night.