5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 2.8 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.2 |
Bruce (Masi Oka) and Llyod (Nate Torrence) are out of the lab and way out of their comfort zone as they scramble to find a nifty new invention they've somehow lost - an invisibility cloak - before KAOS does. Of course, the whole invisibility thing really complicates matters. And learning on the fly how to be a spy is a big-time challenge for our heroes.
Starring: Masi Oka, Nate Torrence, Jayma Mays, Marika Dominczyk, Larry MillerComedy | 100% |
Action | 41% |
Adventure | 19% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 1.0 | |
Video | 2.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
In recent years, we’ve seen a rapid uptick in straight to video sequels of films that only achieved moderate success in the first place. I guess it should serve as no surprise that we’re now seeing the emergence of studios concurrently releasing a low-budget spin off of a primary film that’s guaranteed theatrical success. Such is the case with Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control, a spin-off film featuring characters from the widely successful 2008 Get Smart film.
Released within 2 weeks of Get Smart’s theatrical opening, Bruce and Lloyd hit rental and retail locations in hopes that it would ride the mounting success of Get Smart, and find it’s way into the home video collections of comedy fans. Unfortunately for the consumer, this is merely a case of clever marketing and I’m sure there are plenty of comedy enthusiasts out there that felt cheated by this shoddy knock-off.
Did these guys get food poisoning?
Presented in 1080p utilizing the VC-1 codec (at an average bitrate of 25Mbps), Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control is inconsistent on Blu-ray. Detail's crisp and well-defined throughout the majority of the feature, but there are simply too many shots that are blurry and muddled to say this is a pleasing visual experience. It almost appeared the camera was out of focus during some shots, which wouldn't surprise me too much considering the film's low budget roots. Black levels were satisfyingly deep, but contrast also wavered from shot to shot, with indoor night sequences looking the worst. For an example, watch the apartment sequence around the 37 minute mark (or any of the indoor scenes toward the end of the film in the dictator's compound). The blacks in those scenes demonstrate appropriately depth, but the lack of variance between shades in the dark spectrum result in a complete loss of shadow detail (both in the foreground and the background). Textures on dark clothing also suffer throughout indoor sequences, which hinders any chance of achieving a pleasing three-dimensional effect. Color use is excellent in well-lit outdoor sequences, but flattened substantially during indoor shots, with facial tones taking on the occasional green tint (which gave the actors a sickly appearance). If I could give separate ratings for indoor and outdoor scenes, the transfer would get a 4.0 on daytime sequences that occur outdoors, and a 2.5 for indoor shots with low-lighting.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is less problematic than the video transfer, but never rises to the quality I'd expect for a tech-laden comedy of this sort. There's plenty of surround use for spatial effects and I was sufficiently pleased with the presence of ambient environmental sounds in the audio track-- but I was still left with a general perception that the effects and dialogue were a little muted and undefined. Speaking of the dialogue, I noticed several scenes where a character would make an offhanded comment that wasn't adequately picked up in the track. This could have been related to improper microphone placement during the sound recording, but I'd wager we'd have an improvement in dialogue crispness and volume if there were a lossless sound mix on the disc. If you can get past the amateur nature of the film itself, I doubt you'll be disappointed in the audio track (which tends to exhibit the same deficiencies).
The brief collection of supplements on the disc are far from impressive, but given the lack of effort put into the film itself, I'd have been surprised to see additional time or finances dedicated to disc extras.
Bruce and Lloyd's Confessionals (480p, Dolby 2.0, 12:52 min): The actors in the film step into a booth while in character, pretending they are giving a video confessional during the party scene early in the film. If you're having trouble imagining something less funny than the film itself, watch this extra.
Cue the Anti-Follicular Device (480p, Dolby 2.0, 4:59 min): This feature takes the viewer on a behind-the-scenes look at the make-up work that created the balding effects on characters in the film.
Bruce and Lloyd Tech (480p, Dolby 2.0, 13:25 min): The film includes a number of comical devices that have been designed by Bruce and Lloyd. These fictional devices are analyzed in further detail by real-life experts in the fields of science and physics. This is the best supplement on the disc, but that's not saying much.
I can't imagine a single person I'd recommend this film to. If you don't like comedies, you'll avoid the film anyways, and if you are a genre fan, you likely know a good comedy when you see one. Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control lacks any redeeming quality, and the Blu-ray release won't do much to rectify that situation. Even if you find the film for a budget price, please consider a rental first, since there's a good possibility it will remain untouched on your shelf for years to come.
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