6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
What go around comes around for a pair of prank-playing tire salesmen who find themselves placed in secretarial jobs by their put-upon boss.
Starring: Sean Astin, David Cross, Michael Vartan, Sara Foster, Celia WestonComedy | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
It's not Office Space, but it'll do in a pinch, as a double-feature with Mike Judge's masterpiece, or even all on its own. Demoted is the hilarious new workplace Comedy that's the best of its kind since that whacky Texas-based movie about the ups and downs and the rigors and the rewards of life in the cubicle. There's no red stapler and no ideas taken from Superman 3, but there is a chain restaurant, a plethora of laughs, and a whole lot of cinematic flair. Demoted doesn't feel like a rip-off or a wannabe; even if it plays in the narrow workspace genre, the film crafts its own identity and doesn't play like it has anything to prove or another movie to beat, smart considering there's little chance of ever dethroning Peter, Michael, Samir, Milton, and crew. Instead, Demoted merrily offers its own look at the pitfalls of the office, here when a much-maligned, butt-of-every-joke coworker finds himself atop the food chain where he sends his tormentors to the very bottom. Of course, all the usual scenarios follow, but Demoted is nevertheless a charming and oftentimes hilarious little venture that holds its own and warrants repeat viewings.
You guys are in my world now.
Demoted's Blu-ray debut impresses. The 16mm photography sparkles, and while the image lacks the precision detailing and color vibrancy of slicker, bigger releases, this Blu-ray holds its own and should satisfy purists who demand a transfer that's reflective of the original source. A moderate grain field represents one of the defining factors along the way. A few sporadic pops and speckles harass an otherwise spotless image. General detail is fine, but not breathtakingly impressive. The transfer produces basic facial and clothing textures and yields good stability and crisp definition. However, there are some noticeably soft shots -- even amidst what is a lightly soft feature by nature -- as well as a few that look to be the quality of unconverted and zoomed-in video. Colors are few and somewhat drab; this is the cinema equivalent of the box of crayons that comes with 24 colors rather than the massive box with everything and a sharpener to boot. Blues and reds and outdoor greens are simple yet visually effective. Black levels are adequate and flesh tones offer no cause for concern. This isn't a sparkling, must-see transfer, but it's a good, pleasant image that appears fairly close to original filmmaker intent.
Demoted's Blu-ray release features only one audio option, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 presentation. The opening title music -- and indeed the music that runs through the entire film -- offers distinct, clear beats that spread evenly and naturally across the front. The track delivers a positive, hefty low end that never rattles about but rather remains fairly tight and strong. However, the surround speakers don't pick up much in the way of musical action, at best offering a cursory support element to the primary front stage. That holds true with ambient effects as well. A light office space din -- worker chatter, ringing phones -- does well to sonically place the action, but never do the surrounds carry much of prominence and rarely does the listener feel immersed into the environment. Other effects, whether light falling rain chapter three or heavier rushing water in a bathroom scene later in the movie, do offer a good, natural presence that's as close to all-in as the track gets. But it does handle that music with ease, and dialogue remains clear, focused, and flowing from the center speaker. This is a solid audio presentation that represents the higher-end norm for a Comedy soundtrack.
Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Demoted contains no special features.
Demoted cannot be recognized as an original or even smart film, but what it lacks in nuance and novelty it more than makes up for in raw humor and excellent performances. Demoted fits in somewhere between the classic Office Space and the hit-and-miss "Workaholics" within the "office place" mini-genre, a comfortable spot for sure. The movie is a welcome addition to the stable and a fun watch, not a classic in the making but certainly a worthwhile film that should find high value as a re-watchable good time. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release is disappointingly absent of any added content, but the disc features satisfactory video and audio. Recommended.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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