Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Inside Out Blu-ray Movie Review

Triple H tries to follow in The Rock's footsteps but finds himself in a pickle.

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 17, 2011

Is it a good thing or a bad thing when you want to reach through your flatscreen television to throttle a character, shake some sense into him (or her), and make them act (no pun intended) like a sane person? It can be a sign of superlative (if patently annoying) acting, or in fact it can also be a sign of overacting and, often, bad writing. I’m frankly not sure where to come down verdict wise on this dilemma with regard to Inside Out and specifically with regard to Michael Rapaport’s depiction of anti-hero Jack Small, for the film has its own lo-fi charms (if that’s the right word), with a decent if hackneyed story and an overall gritty ambience that helps it keep its filmic head above water (if only barely at times). On the other hand, Inside Out is so willfully melodramatic at times it may provoke giggles when it’s obviously not meant to, despite the game attempts by a rather impressive cast, including Rapaport, the WWE’s Triple H (AKA Paul Michael Levesque), Parker Posey (yes, you’re reading that correctly), Julie White and Bruce Dern (yes, you’re reading that correctly). Inside Out plays a deliberate sleight of hand with the viewer right off the bat, and without spoiling anything in a major way, let’s just say that neither the narration with which the film starts nor a shooting glimpsed in a brief montage are exactly what we’re led to believe they are. The film even posits a trick within a trick when the narration turns out to be (evidently—don’t believe everything you see) Jack talking to a dog as he awaits the return of his buddy and literal partner in crime A.J. (Triple H), who has just been released after thirteen years in prison. Jack is obviously a two-bit grifter, a kid who’s patently uncomfortable in his own skin, jumpy, nervous, twitch filled, and Rapaport brings it all to life in a typically Method bravura way. A.J. on the other hand is quiet, steely and reserved (albeit incredibly muscular), as an good WWE superstar should be. It’s odd couple heaven, except that A.J. has decided to go straight and doesn’t want to become ensnared in Jack’s family’s crime shenanigans. Three guesses what happens next, and the first two don’t count.

In two rather bizarrely quirky plot points, Inside Out tries to twist this well worn story into something that at least appears fresh and innovative. First off, the crime syndicate here is all about smuggling bootleg cigarettes (yes, there evidently is such a thing) into Louisiana, where they are sold for twice what they cost and all those Federal and State taxes go unpaid. That has sparked the interest of the FBI, notably agent Martha Twiss (Julie White), who is hot on the trail of the syndicate’s boss, Jack’s father, Dr. Vic (Bruce Dern). Just for the sake of mentioning it, it should be stated that evidently Dr. Vic is a veterinarian in “real life.” Secondly, A.J.’s attempts to go straight and build a new life for himself are focused on his burgeoning ability to create and market pickles. No, that is not a joke, but it certainly kind of plays like one in this film.

Inside Out is so patently ludicrous at times that it undercuts its own really rather effective dramatic moments. There are some phenomenally gifted actors here, including, perhaps surprisingly, Triple H himself, who does a laudable job providing at least a little nuance to a by the numbers character. And there are some great little bits here, including A.J.’s first night out of the joint, where he still goes about the business of getting his bed sheets in tip top, Army inspection ready, shape. That is the sort of detail that’s needed to make something like Inside Out really work, and unfortunately once an unexpected killing happens (guess which twitchy character causes that mishap), everything goes off the deep end in a big hurry, and the film never really completely recovers.

The film division of WWE has managed to crank out some surprising fare over the past couple of years, and they obviously want to reach upon their typical testosterone fueled demographic, as evidenced by more touchy-feely fare like the recent That’s What I Am. What’s odd about Inside Out, though, is it doesn’t seem to quite know exactly what it wants to be. It has elements of a goodfellas flick, but without any visceral action sequences. On the other hand, it often seems to be aiming more directly for a kitchen sink drama feel, with lots of indie-cred actors flaunting their best Method tics. In its third act, the film goes virtually Grand Guignol when one character goes so completely off the deep end that everyone’s life in endangered. Maybe the film’s title is more indicative of the film’s tonal pretzel logic than it is of anything else.

Inside Out Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Inside Out is presented on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. This WWE Films release often resembles a slightly above average made for television movie in terms of video quality, with decent sharpness and (in close-ups anyway) good to very good fine detail, but overall it's just kind of devoid of that extra pop that most videophiles are going to want from a top flight high definition presentation. Colors are often muted and there's noticeable crush throughout the film's long dimly lit or nighttime sequences. While clarity and sharpness are at least acceptable, there's a certain blandness to this presentation which may disappoint some persnickety viewers.

Inside Out Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Judging by the poster and cover art for Inside Out, you might be forgiven for thinking the film is a slam bang action thriller with lots of shooting and explosive sound effects, but the fact is the film is rather deliberately quiet—most of the time. Two lossless audio options, both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mixes, one in English and one in Spanish, are offered on this disc, and they do very well in terms of the film's rather limited sound design ambitions. There are two fantastic exceptions, and those have to do with cataclysmic explosions that shake a couple of structures as the film unfolds. Both of these are presented with astounding LFE that finally wakes up the somewhat ambling presentation. Fidelity is very strong throughout the film, despite its limited sonic scope. Dialogue and effects are well presented, and while there isn't a ton of surround activity, there are occasional moments where immersion takes hold quite nicely, including scenes with A.J.'s iconic Ford Country Squire station wagon, and one great scene where A.J. "handles" two guys who are giving him a hard time. The problem with this soundtrack is exactly the problem with the film, namely that people are going to be coming into it expecting one thing, and then getting another. If you can get away from feeling victim of a kind of bait and switch tactic, this track actually is very well rendered and provides a well above average presentation, albeit one without that summer blockbuster slam bang quality.

Inside Out Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Game, The Rapper, The Rap (1080i; 16:52) features Triple H and Rapaport sitting down and congratulating each other on working so brilliantly together.
• Inside Outtakes (1080i; 4:26) is a fairly useless gag reel.
• Triple H: Under Investigation (1080i; 9:34) is a profile of Levesque with Rapaport, White and others chiming in on how wonderful he is.
• Inside the Action (1080i; 12:47) is actually a pretty interesting look at the big explosion scenes that takes place in the bar and cabin during the film, as well as some of the fight sequences. You kind of have to love it when Triple H asks the stunt coordinator, "Is there any way I can put his head in that windshield?"
• In a Pickle (1080i; 5:48) discusses the film's odd focus on the briny cucumbers.
• Ready, Set, Sneeze (1080i; 3:55) is another odd little featurette dealing with director Artie Mandelberg's way of calling "Action!" on set.
• Not-so Hot Wheels (1080i; 2:20) focuses on the Ford Country Squire station wagon which Triple H drives in the film.
• Photo Gallery
• Crashing The Reunion: Special Preview (1080i; 3:31) takes a look at an upcoming WWE film with John Cena.

Inside Out Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Inside Out's title reveals perhaps a bit more than intended, for this is a crazy quilt film that doesn't seem to quite know what it wants to be. Rapaport will probably drive most viewers to distraction (if not to outright screaming frenzy), but Triple H does surprisingly well in a low key role that isn't very demanding, but which he still fills rather capably. Posey is just outright weird—but what else is new? This is OK filler fare, no more, no less, but it's certainly not an action-fighting thriller, as its box art might suggest. Proceed accordingly.