Extra Ordinary Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Extra Ordinary Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 7, 2020

While the world anticipates the release of a new “Ghostbusters” sequel next year, the comedy “Extra Ordinary” comes out of nowhere to actually deliver all kinds of supernatural happenings and consistently hilarious comedy. Co-writers/directors Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman present an Irish take on demonic problems, but instead of going wild with visual effects and sheer noise, the duo plays everything with a terrific dryness, enjoying the weirdness of the material instead of trying to emphasize all levels of quirk. “Extra Ordinary” isn’t a massive production, but it uses its moments well, creating a snowballing sense of the absurd while tending to the genre aspects of the story, finding a near-perfect balance of outrageousness and subtlety. It’s a special film with a large imagination, and Loughman and Ahern do whatever they can to protect the project’s stealthy charms.

After spending her formative years with her father, Vincent (Risteard Cooper), helping him to decode ghostly occurrences for a television show, Rose (Maeve Higgins) is now a lonely adult trying to keep her distance from the family business after dealing with the loss of her parent. Rose is now a driving instructor, but the public demands her supernatural detective skills, aka “The Talents,” reporting tales of ghostly encounters around town. One such individual is Martin (Barry Ward), who’s haunted by the spirit of his late wife, Bonnie, trying to deal with a demanding specter while keeping an eye on his daughter, Sarah (Emma Coleman). Reaching out to Rose, Martin gets her attention, with the pair exploring the extremes of Bonnie’s behavior, but a greater crisis reveals itself with the arrival of Christian (Will Forte). A singer saddled with a one-hit-wonder legacy, Christian needs another hit, selling his soul to Satan to make it happen. However, Satan needs a virgin sacrifice, inspiring Christian to kidnap Sarah while Martin and Rose scramble to prevent such an apocalyptic event from happening.

Vincent’s VHS programming introduces the audience to the world of “The Talents,” with the host explaining how ghosts are actually everywhere, requiring a special sense to examine these hauntings, which sometimes come in the form of an active trash can or a furiously waving tree branch. When we meet Rose, she’s had her fill of the lifestyle, though it’s not immediately clear why, living a solitary life in a house with one heavily locked room, managing phone calls requesting ghostbusting help while wolfing down frozen dinners. She’s a driving instructor by day, managing the fears of students, which gives her purpose away from the poltergeist underworld. “Extra Ordinary” also details Martin’s experience, enduring criticism from beyond as Bonnie silently belittles him for domestic choices, and there’s Christian, who resides in a remote mansion, working on his incantations as he prepares for a virgin sacrifice during the Blood Moon. He has a wife in Claudia (Claudia O’Doherty), a heartless, careless woman who casually eviscerates a kidnapped girl, requiring Christian to find another virgin, using a divining rod with a penis carved into the top of the staff.

“Extra Ordinary” deals with dark events, but the filmmakers don’t slip into dire business for a second, enjoying black humor while keeping the adventure alive with goofiness and action. There’s plenty of cheekiness to go around, but the deadpan nature of the performances is the production’s secret weapon, turning Rose into a reluctant hero as she returns to the business of finding ghosts, initially doing so due to perceived romantic interest from Martin. Supporting characters populate the screenplay, including Rose’s pregnant sister, Sailor (Terri Chandler), but the central quest is most entertaining, watching Martin deal with his role as a middleman between the living and dead, with Rose collecting the ectoplasm he barfs up to complete their war against evil. It’s gross and highly amusing, while Ahern and Loughman work in their movie references along the way, doing especially well with a visual reference to “The Exorcist.”

Extra Ordinary Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't have much room to breathe, with the movie file coming in at 14 GB. Artifacting is common, as some backgrounds are prone to blockiness and banding is present at times. Focal points of the framing enjoy stronger detail, exploring facial surfaces and highly decorated rooms, including peaceful domestic area and satanic ritual spaces. Costuming is fibrous, from robes to casual wear, and Christian's wig has its own texture, adding to the joke. Special effects remain goopy, keeping the gelatinous consistency of the ectoplasm. Distances are dimensional. Red is the dominant color of the endeavor, with lighting and dark arts embracing evil appearances. A more natural palette supports the rest of the feature, which offers bright greenery and distinct clothing. Skintones are exact. Delineation is acceptable.

Extra Ordinary Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA offers a playful listening experience that opens with a limited VHS presentation before widening into a more traditional track, having fun with older audio sources as the story unfolds. Atmospherics are appealing, understanding exterior activity and room expanse, and the surrounds are lively with separation and panning effects. Dialogue exchanges are clear, which helps with speedy line delivery and thick accents. Scoring cues are supportive with crisp instrumentation, and soundtrack selections are powerful. Low-end has some compelling rumble for ghostly attacks.

Extra Ordinary Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "A Look Behind the Scenes" (19:30, HD) welcomes viewers to the production effort behind "Extra Ordinary," which features interviews (conducted on-set) from directors Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman, actors Maeve Higgins, Barry Ward, Jed Murray, Will Forte, Claudia O'Doherty, Emma Colman, and Terri Chandler, producer Mary McCarthy, hair designer Lyndsay Herron, VFX supervisor Thorsten Rienth, makeup designer Corinne Bossy, production designer Joe Fallover, and costume designer Kathy Strachan. Character and story are examined, with the helmers initially working out the particulars of the tale in a short film, also aiming to protect the material's Irish sense of humor. A director assessment is provided, along with tonal inspection and an overview of technical challenges, including two actors who had no clue how to drive for roles that requires a lot of time behind the wheel. Practical and digital effects are celebrated, with a real sense of pride in the work carrying throughout the featurette. Some BTS footage is included, but not enough (this feels like a making-of that could run for two hours and be completely enjoyable). To close, the cast and crew are asked to describe "Extra Ordinary" in three words. Forte has a little trouble with this task.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:53, HD) is included.

Extra Ordinary Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Extra Ordinary" gets a little unwieldy as it comes to a close, but the movie never loses concentration on its sense of humor or the innate gifts of the ensemble, which presents Higgins as a mighty comedy force with expert timing, and Ward gets a chance to show off his range, playing the meek Martin and the various spirits that inhabit his body. The helmers also make an attractive low-budget endeavor, with moody cinematography from James Mather and a smart use of visual effects, filling the screen with odd hauntings and moving objects. Ahern and Loughman bring out the best in the screenplay and cast, keeping pacing tight and small surprises in tone and execution plentiful, crafting a wonderfully ridiculous picture.