6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A Democrat strategist helps a retired veteran run for mayor in a small, conservative Midwest town.
Starring: Steve Carell, Rose Byrne, Chris Cooper, Mackenzie Davis, Topher GraceDrama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Talk about campaign finance reform. Irresistible plays like a routine campaign trail Comedy until it plays the ace up its sleeve. Suffice it to say that spoiling the end would be to spoil the movie and take away meaning to its insights in any number of ways, but Writer/Director Jon Stewart (Rosewater) has certainly written a sharp little story that turns the modern political scene, and all of the baggage that comes with it, on its head. Crafty, catchy, and calling out both sides with unequal screen time but equally biting commentary, Irresistible largely lives up to its name as a joyful and twisting slice of small town life meets big politics infiltration in modern middle America.
The candidate.
Irresistible's 1080p transfer delivers a steady, capable image well within spec for a new release on Blu-ray. The picture is appropriately sharp and nicely detailed across the spectrum, from basic character and clothing details to odds and ends in campaign offices, scattered locales around town, furnishings on a private jet, and so on and so forth. Various scenes depicting fake newscasts and political adds reveal tack-sharp graphics, though the variation in video quality is evident in the switch and necessary to help differentiate the scenes. Colors are true, boasting excellent depth and contrast. Primaries are plenty punchy, and there's an awful lot of red and blue in the film to boost tonal output. Skin tones are fine and black levels fare well, usually, with a few exceptions where they fall off towards paleness and flatness (look at the 82 minute mark). Source and encode issues are practically nonexistent. Overall, this is a very nice looking presentation from Universal.
Irresistible campaigns via a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The film has little of dramatic sonic necessity. It's rather straightforward in sum, offering music spread along the front with some surround engagement, the most satisfying coming in chapter ten at a fish fry. Musical clarity is excellent and immersion is balanced. Environmental supports are well realized, out in town, inside campaign headquarters, and in a few other locales that allow for some spacious expansion. The track produces quality natural reverb at the meeting in the opening minutes introducing Chris Cooper's Jack Hastings. Low end response goes potent when heavy, mechanically aided footfall sounds are exaggerated for effect in chapter 14. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized as it emanates from a natural front-center position.
Irresistible includes numerous deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, and a few featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere
digital
copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover (and thumbs down to one of the dullest box arts of the year).
Irresistible's story ultimately whittles down to a simple truth: it's all a game. Who wins just depends on who can play it better. Or perhaps who can play it differently. It's witty and smart, a little sluggish and predictable through the middle, but a hook to open and a curveball to close make it well worth the audience's time. Universal's Blu-ray is solid all around, featuring high quality video and audio presentations and an average allotment of extra content. Recommended.
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