5.5 | / 10 |
Users | 2.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
When a mild-mannered businessman learns his identity has been stolen, he hits the road in an attempt to foil the thief -- a trip that puts him in the path of a deceptively harmless-looking woman.
Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, T.I.Comedy | 100% |
Crime | 5% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Is there a German word for "an actress, hilarious in small doses, whose overbearing comic stylings threaten an otherwise promising comedy when cast in a leading role"? If not, a suitably catchy term needs to be coined post haste, imported to the States, and made available to anyone following Melissa McCarthy's sudden meteoric rise toward A-list fame. In moderation, McCarthy is every bit the talented scene-stealer her fans insist. Look no further than Bridesmaids or This Is 40. In a barrage, though -- a barrage like Identity Thief -- she rapidly wears out her welcome, abusing any good will afforded her by audiences. Sadly, director Seth Gordon's third comedy is more Four Christmases than Horrible Bosses, and suffers, suffers terribly, from McCarthy overkill.
"Do you know what a sociopath is?"
Identity Thief boasts a strong and striking digitally sourced 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer that's almost above reproach. Crush is something of a minor issue, but little else proves problematic. Color and contrast are true to Gordon and DP Javier Aguirresarobe's intentions, skintones are quite natural, primaries pack heat, and black levels are satisfying. Detail also rarely disappoints (despite some inherent softness), as edges are clean and refined, textures are nicely resolved, delineation is decidedly decent and the film's fine veneer of grain remains intact. Moreover, compression artifacts, banding, aliasing and other troublemakers are nowhere to be found, and there aren't any significant anomalies to report.
Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track isn't as aggressive or enveloping as its action-dramedy roots might suggest, but it gets the job done, even if somewhat unremarkably. Dialogue is clear and intelligible, without much in the way of prioritization mishaps, and every slap, punch and rev of the engine is given room to work in Identity Thief's neatly compartmentalized soundscape. LFE output is commendable, particularly when all hell breaks loose, and rear speaker activity is relatively engaging, especially given the front-heavy, conversational nature of the film's sound design. Neither is backed by the sort of power or prowess that might grant the experience a measure of true sonic authority, but able-bodied dynamics and notable directionality are present, accounted for and gainfully employed, and the movie couldn't sound much better than it does here.
Identity Thief is a cup-o-tea comedy; not mine, maybe yours, but far from the tasty Horrible Bosses followup fans of McCarthy or Bateman have been craving. The film fares well on Blu-ray at least, with a solid video presentation and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, but a relative absence of extensive supplemental content suggests a lack of confidence more than a lack of insight.
2013
Unrated Edition | Neighbors / A Million Ways to Die in the West Fandango Cash
2013
2013
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 / The Boss / Mother's Day Fandango Cash
2013
2013
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Extended Edition
2010
2015
2013
Warner Archive Collection
1990
2016
R-Rated Movie-Only Edition
2011
Extended Cut
2014
1995
2013
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2015
Loaded With Extra Crap Edition
2006
2016
2017
2010
1991
2011
2003