7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.3 |
Desperate times call for desperate measures and Ray Drecker's situation couldn't be much tougher. The former high school sports legend turned middle-aged high school basketball coach is divorced and struggling to provide for his kids when his already run-down house catches fire. Looking to take on a second job, Ray decides to exploit his best asset in a last-ditch attempt to change his fortunes.
Starring: Thomas Jane, Jane Adams (II), Anne Heche, Charlie Saxton (III), Sianoa Smit-McPheeErotic | 100% |
Dark humor | 90% |
Drama | 51% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: DTS 2.0
French: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A clever premise is the heart and soul of an effective trailer. It can lure audiences in or scare them away; it can be the reason behind a record-breaking debut or responsible for the loss of untold millions. Eventually though, every production, be it for film or television, has to prove itself worthy of its viewers' investment and, more importantly, their ongoing commitment. Therein lies the rub of HBO's latest series, Hung, a dark, dim-witted dramedy that begins to unravel in the wake of its second episode. In retrospect, its near-brilliant string of promos promised an entirely different series; a smarter, sharper, wittier comedy in the vein of Showtime's Weeds (albeit with less Mary Jane and more John Thomas). But while Hung liberally borrows from Weeds' creator Jenji Kohan's everyman-turned-purveyor-of-illegal-goods setup, it doesn't provide viewers with a substantial payoff. The vast majority of its characters are either entitled louts or unlikable losers, its dialogue and storylines fall flat, and it seems confused about what it wants to be when it grows up. (Am I a dark comedy? Am I a quirky drama? What, oh what am I?) Thank God for Thomas Jane and Jane Adams. They don't salvage the series, but they at least make the episode-to-episode inanity a bit more bearable.
"Wait... I thought I was signing on for another 'Arrested Development' cameo. What's this?"
Hung isn't the prettiest new series on the Blu-ray block, nor does its 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer represent HBO's finest high definition hour. However, considering executive producers/co-creators Colette Burson and Dmitry Lipkin's down and dirty intentions, I seriously doubt The Complete First Season could look much better than it does here. First things first: it's important to adjust your expectations. Nighttime escapades and low-lit interior sequences are double-dipped in shadow, fine details are occasionally crushed out of existence, soft shots pepper every episode, and errant noise makes an assault on many a scene. But it would be a mistake to attribute the whole of these shortcomings to the technical proficiency of the transfer. Artifacting, banding, and other compression anomalies are in short supply, and minor ringing, though present, traces back to the series' source, not an egregious application of edge enhancement. Moreover, a quick comparison to the standard DVD release reveals the Blu-ray edition of Hung boasts a number of fundamental improvements. Closeups benefit from crisper textures and sharper definition, skintones are healthier and more lifelike (albeit a tad oversaturated at times), black levels are richer and more satisfying, and primaries pack more heat. Yes, some of the series' most problematic shots narrowly eek past their DVD counterparts, but again, the culprits are Burson and Lipkin, not HBO. As technical transfers go, HBO's efforts are sound -- thus my score -- but as taste goes... well, you be the judge.
Hung's rousing, surprisingly robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is easily the highpoint of HBO's two-disc set, and proves to be more immersive than the series itself. Dialogue is as clean and intelligible as one could hope for, and prioritization is above reproach. Whether whispered in a bustling shopping center or shouted on a deserted beach, little is lost and even less is left to the imagination. Rear speaker activity is energetic and involving as well, making the series' various locales -- everything from congested school cafeterias to spacious hotel conference rooms to cramped nylon tents -- convincing components of a rather enveloping experience. Lockers slam in the distance, hurried teenagers babble incessantly, the hollow hum of a rickety air conditioner increases the tension in a motel hallway, and the creak of an opening door slices the soundfield. Likewise, LFE output is more memorable than I expected. Not an episode goes by without indulging in a dozen oh-so-familiar rock, pop, and indie songs, and hearty drum beats and savvy bass guitar riffs subtly steal the sonic show. Sound effects receive equal treatment, even though the nature of Burson and Lipkin's soundscape favors imperfect realism over pitch-perfect clarity. If anything, directionality is a bit contrived on occasion, as exaggerated pans are employed to mediocre ends. Still, HBO's DTS-HD Master Audio track is another noteworthy lossless outing from a studio that continues to invest its all in its high definition releases.
Hung swings onto Blu-ray with a surprisingly meager supplemental package. A trio of semi-decent Audio Commentaries are the main draw, offering executive producers/co-creators Colette Burson and Dmitry Lipkin an opportunity to discuss the Alexander Payne-directed "Pilot," "The Pickle Jar," and "Thith ith a Prothetic or You Come Just Right," as well as the genesis of the story (which turned out to be as uninspired as I imagined), the development of the series, and the show's performances, tone, and skewed humor. Unfortunately, each track is quite underwhelming, particularly since Burson, Lipkin, and third-commentary guest, writer Brett C. Leonard, tend to gravitate toward dry technical insights and bland, anticlimactic anecdotes. Approach with caution (or a comfortable pillow). Beyond that, a talking-heads EPK (HD, 10 minutes) brings next to nothing to the table, a breezy "Women of Hung" featurette (HD, 7 minutes) touts empowerment where there's very little, and a brief burst of amusing "Personal Ads" (HD, 2 minutes) come and go much too quickly.
As I watched Hung, a myriad of questions flooded my mind. Am I supposed to be laughing? Am I supposed to like these people? Feel sorry for them? Loathe their every decision? Find humor in their pain? Find drama in their quirky, Mad-Libs misery? Am I really expected to find the exploits of yet another average-joe-turned-unwitting-criminal fresh and original? Particularly when it isn't as witty or playful as Showtime's Weeds? As powerful, resonant, or relevant as AMC's Breaking Bad? Suffice to say, I walked away from Hung shaking my head, wondering how an HBO series with such a strong, interesting cast could go so terribly wrong. Will I tune in for season two? My Tom Jane Blood Oath demands it. Do I expect to make it deep into the series' second season? Only if the writing, stories, and supporting performances show immediate signs of serious improvement. (Which, at this point, would take a creative miracle.) Ah well, those who do enjoy Hung will be treated to another fine HBO release that features a faithful AV presentation. Its supplemental package leaves a lot to be desired, but at such an affordable pricepoint, it hardly matters. My advice? Sample the goods before making a long-term commitment.
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