5.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
When Nick Vandermark becomes stinking rich by selling an invention, he finds his lifelong bond with his best friend and neighbor, Tim Dingman, breaking almost beyond repair. Seems Tim is crazy with envy and can't get over the fact that his friend has hit it big. Will he find a way to get even?
Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Rachel Weisz, Amy Poehler, Christopher WalkenComedy | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 1.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
When “Envy” was shot in 2002, the project seemed to be a comedy dream come true. There was Ben Stiller, who was riding high on his massive success with “Meet the Parents,” also reaching pop culture prominence with “Zoolander,” which would go on to become a big deal after debuting mere weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Stiller’s co-star, Jack Black, was working his way up the industry ladder, achieving great notices for his supporting turn in “High Fidelity,” turned into a leading man for “Shallow Hal.” Things were happening for him, including musical triumphs with his band, Tenacious D. Director Barry Levinson wasn’t exactly hot property two decades ago, stuck in movie jail after wiping out with box office busts such as “Sphere” and “Bandits,” but the helmer’s filmography certainly encountered greatness before, with “Rain Man” and “Good Morning, Vietnam” becoming huge hits during their release years. The package was mighty, joined by “Saturday Night Live” performer Amy Poehler, “The Mummy” actress Rachel Weisz, and habitual kook Christopher Walken. And yet, “Envy” is as close to a wipeout as a picture gets. It’s not a disaster or slapped together without care, it just simply doesn’t work, offering a bizarre viewing experience where talented performers are stuck with DOA material, while the director tries to generate a farcical tone, but fails to acquire any sort of momentum or inspiration to make funny moments happen. The endeavor just falls asleep as soon as it begins.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from an older master of "Envy." Age is apparent throughout the viewing experience, which offers a softer sense of detail, including skin particulars, which don't carry fresh textures. Costuming is equally dulled. Living spaces lack sharp decoration, and exteriors are flatter. Color benefits from wild hues on outfits and household details, but it remains slightly fatigued. Greenery is acceptable. Skin tones are reasonably natural. Delineation has some moments of solidification. Grain is largely filtered out. Some banding is detected.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides clear dialogue exchanges, balancing surges in excitable reactions and argumentative behavior. Scoring is defined, with decent instrumentation. Clarity extends to soundtrack selections, which offer sharp beats and some mild low-end response. Surrounds aren't active, pushing out musical offerings and some atmospherics.
"Envy" is designed to get crazier as it goes, moving from hostility to corpse removal plans, ending up in a blackmail scheme and the depths of Tim's guilty conscience. And yet such screen insanity doesn't appear, with the picture crawling around unfunny business, highlighting a cast that's clearly come to play, only to be left with little to sink their teeth into. It's not surprising that "Envy" was produced, it really features can't-miss elements. But the execution is utterly lame and ill-focused, with Levinson floundering here in a way that's reminiscent of 1992's "Toys," which also highlighted a seemingly sure thing that went south in a hurry.
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