Rating summary
Movie | | 4.0 |
Video | | 4.5 |
Audio | | 4.0 |
Extras | | 3.5 |
Overall | | 4.0 |
The Best Man Holiday Blu-ray Movie Review
Old Friends
Reviewed by Michael Reuben February 4, 2014
Warning: The following review assumes familiarity with the The Best Man (1999), to which this
film is a sequel. If you're not familiar with The Best Man, spoilers follow.
Even if writer/director Malcolm D. Lee hadn't been thinking of a sequel to his surprise 1999 hit
The Best Man (or "Best 1"), the parade of requests from the film's fans would have inspired him.
As Lee honed his craft on other comedies during the first decade of the new millennium, some
successful, some not, his thoughts kept turning to the group of friends he'd based on his own
circle, inspired by films like The Big Chill. What would their futures
hold?
By the time Lee was ready to pitch his idea to the nine cast members whose participation was
essential to a successful followup, a dozen years had passed and all of their careers had
progressed. As the cast relates in the Blu-ray extras, the very experience of reuniting with Lee to
hear the pitch provided them with a preview of what the film could be. All the old chemistry was
still there. With the cast on board, Lee began writing. In classic sequel mode, he tried to recreate
everything the audience loved from the first film, but bigger, grander and, perhaps most
importantly, older. After fifteen years of life experience, the characters from The Best Man could
no longer be young people just out of college and starting their careers (or, in the case of Terence
Howard's "Q", doing everything to avoid a career). These had to be people with
accomplishments, achievements and, life being what it is, their fair share of disappointments,
reversals and loss. Above all, though, they would still be friends.
The Best Man Holiday (or "Best 2") opened on November 13, 2013, and it was so eagerly
anticipated that it beat out Thor: The
Dark World for the day's top box
office. By the end of the weekend, it had collected twice what analysts projected and was well on
its way to a tidy profit. Universal quickly ordered up a third installment, for which Lee had
already planted the hook at the end of the film.
The occasion that reunites the gang is a gala Christmas celebration at the home of Lance and Mia
Sullivan (Morris Chestnut and Monica Calhoun), the couple whose wedding was the defining
event of
Best 1. Lance has remained the NFL star that everyone expected him to be. His
endorsements are everywhere, and he is on the verge of breaking the all-time rushing record
before he retires. The Sullivans and their four children live in a Westchester County mansion the
size of which makes their newly acquired house in
Best 1 look like a cottage. As often happens
when people become absorbed by family and careers, the old group hasn't seen much of each
other in the last fifteen years, and Mia is determined to gather them again. That might seem like a
tall order, but anyone who remembers
Best 1 knows that Mia is the most beloved and respected
member of the clan. She's impossible to turn down.
The most reluctant attendees are Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs), Lance's best man fifteen years
ago, and his wife Robin (Sanaa Lathan), whose engagement was the surprise ending of
Best 1.
Harper's friendship with Lance has never fully recovered from the eleventh-hour revelation that
the best man and the bride slept together in college. And Robin is still jealous of Mia's best
friend, Jordan Armstrong (Nia Long), the successful TV producer at MSNBC whom her
husband, Harper, idolized back then and with whom he still enjoys too close a rapport for
Robin's comfort. Robin's jealousy is accentuated by the fact that Jordan, who is still single,
always looks fabulous, whereas Robin is nine months' pregnant, after many false starts and
setbacks. Next to Jordan, she feels like a beached whale.
Story note: A pregnant woman near her
due date is like the proverbial gun in the first act that must go off in the third; her labor is
guaranteed to commence at the most inconvenient but dramatically useful point in the film.
The Murches, Julian and Candace (Harold Perrineau and Regina King), have turned their shared
passion for education into a successful charter school, but Julian arrives under a dark cloud,
because the school's chief donor has just withdrawn his support. Someone has sent him a video
of Candace in her former occupation as a stripper, which is how she and Julian met in
Best 1,
when she appeared at the bachelor party. Unfortunately, the video also shows "Candy" engaged
in something more than stripping. Since Julian
still can't keep a secret, it won't be long before he
blurts out something inappropriate. Besides, video clips have a way of getting around, much like
the advance copy of Harper's first novel in
Best 1.
The non-couple in attendance are Quentin Spivey (Terence Howard) and Shelby (Melissa De
Sousa), who woke up hung over in bed together the morning after the wedding in
Best 1,
shrieking in mutual horror. After Julian Murch dumped Shelby on the steps of the church the day
after meeting Candace, she went on to a successful career so ripely suited to her man-eating
talents that it always provokes one of the film's biggest laughs during the credit sequence that
brings us up to date on each character. The only man who ever escaped Shelby's clutches was
Julian, and it's clear that Shelby has never gotten over it. Claws emerge whenever she and
Candace Murch are in the same room, and a cat fight is inevitable.
Quentin, still the eternal playboy, has finally found himself the perfect career, and while it isn't
that of a pimp, the clothing is almost as flashy. (On the commentary track, Lee relates that he and
Howard argued over the actor's wardrobe choices.) Howard's "Q" remains the cut-up of the
group, who can always be counted on for a wisecrack or a well-timed look to puncture a serious
moment. The difference between the old "Q" and today, however, is that the current version is
successful. He's lost the mean-spirited edge that made him such a dangerous friend in
Best 1.
During the course of
Best 2, he reveals a side we've never seen before.
A new face is Jordan's current boyfriend, Brian (Eddie Cibrian), who is carefully circling the
battlements of the commitment-phobic career woman. He also happens to be white. All of
Jordan's old friends give him a thorough inspection, but Brian, despite the preppie looks and the
patrician heritage, never behaves like a fish out of water. He eases right into this group of thirty-something professionals like one of the gang. If only
Jordan would take his interest seriously.
As in
Best 1, Lee keeps the action moving at a steady clip, constantly shifting between the
comedic and the dramatic and frequently mixing the two. In place of the standard wedding events
to structure the plot, the film uses a detailed itinerary of holiday entertainment that Mia, ever the
perfect hostess, has planned for her guests. A high point for the ladies is an MTV-ready "air
band" performance of New Edition's "Can You Stand the Rain" by Lance, Harper, Julian and Q
(and, yes, panties are thrown).
Best 1 took an unexpectedly dark turn near the end, as Lance
spoke his wedding vows in agony, knocked back by the karmic boomerang of his serial
philandering. The sequel is even more frank about the dirty tricks that life can play as we age and
discover that every day is a new chance to have the rug pulled out from under us. For all that can
go wrong, though, Lee remains an optimist who believes in the power of love and friendship.
They may not be able to fix everything, but they are the closest we get to knowing "God's plan",
of which Lance continues to speak with fervent conviction, even at the darkest moments.
The Best Man Holiday Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Director Lee's commentary makes it clear that he left the look of The Best Man Holiday in the
capable hands of cinematographer Greg Gardiner (Men in Black
II), except for his stipulation that
it must be in "anamorphic" (i.e., 2.39:1) aspect ratio, as compared to the first film's 1.85:1.
According to IMDb, the film was shot on the Arri Alexa, but even if that is incorrect, the final
result after post-production on a digital intermediate has produced a splendid Blu-ray image.
Sharpness, clarity and detail are exemplary throughout, and because so much of the action takes
place inside a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous-type mansion that has been decked out for the
holidays, there is plenty to see. Costumes, skin textures and decor are all finely visible, including
the adorable outfits of the precious moppets cast to play the four Sullivan children, the Murch
twins and Shelby's precocious daughter. The stadium sequences for Lance Sullivan's big game
reflect a similar level of precise detail, as do various scenes preceding the gathering at the
Sullivans', where we see Jordan at work and Harper meeting with his publisher (John Michael
Higgins). Black levels and contrast are perfectly set, and the color palette favors bright, holiday-themed hues that pop off the screen.
The average bitrate of 31.99 Mbps seems to be Universal's "sweet spot" for compression, and
it's certainly up to any challenges.
The Best Man Holiday Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
As in Best 1, music and dialogue are the focus of the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, although a few
scenes have somewhat more elaborate effects, including the Shelby/Candace cat fight and a mock
slugfest between Julian and Q in the backseat of an SUV. The film spawned a successful album
composed of a mix of new songs and covers of traditional Christmas songs, and the film's
soundtrack has even more, including Ray Charles's cover of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"
and Nat King Cole's classic rendition of "The Christmas Song" by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells.
As a nod to Best 1, Stevie Wonder's "As" is reprised as a duet performed by Marsha Ambrosius
and Anthony Hamilton. All of these songs play with a warm, rich tonality and wide dynamic
range, as does the underscoring by Stanley Clarke.
The Best Man Holiday Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
Blu-ray exclusives are marked with an asterisk.
- Commentary with Writer/Director/Producer Malcolm D. Lee: Lee's commentary is a
lively account of the film's production, including alternate takes, abandoned story
elements and deleted scenes beyond those included in the extras. Lee clearly adores his
cast and repeatedly points out plot points and ad libs that he incorporated into the finished
product. He also discusses the film's lengthy gestation and the lessons he learned about
comedy in the interim.
- Gag Reel (1080p; 2.40:1; 4:53): A collection of blown lines, crack-ups, muggings and
silliness.
- Holiday Special: The Making of The Best Man Holiday (1080p; 1.78:1; 12:14): The
best part of this EPK is the cast's recollections of the dinner at which they gathered with
Lee twelve years after the first film to hear him pitch the sequel. Pictures of the event are
included. Newcomer Eddie Cibrian describes the experience of being the new guy.
- *Alternate Ending (w/Optional Commentary with Malcolm D. Lee) (1080p; 2.40:1;
1:39): This is the film's original ending, and Lee provides a better explanation in the main
commentary why the reshoot was essential.
- *Deleted and Extended Scenes (w/Optional Commentary with Malcolm D. Lee)
(1080p; 2.40:1; 25:12): A "play all" function is included.
- Good Luck with Stan
- The Boys Are Too Busy to Take Harper's Call
- Shelby Arrives
- Harper Approves of Brian
- The Girls Had a Great Evening
- Harper and Jordan Return from Running
- Shelby Gets on Candace's Nerves
- The Presents Have Arrived
- More Sugar
- Lance Returns from Practice
- Harper and Jordan Are Just Friends
- Take It to the Room
- Candace Leaves
- Shelby Gives an Unexpected Christmas Present
- Jordan Offers to Help Robyn
- Lance and Harper Talk It Out
- Lance Asks Harper to Give a Speech
- *Smack Talk: Filming the Girl Fight Scene (1080p; 1.78:1; 4:09): Filming the epic
battle between Candace and Shelby that has been brewing for fifteen years. Stunt doubles
were used for some shots, but actresses Regina Hall and Melissa De Sousa did much of
their own action.
- Additional Trailers: At startup the disc plays trailers for About Time, Riddick, Dallas
Buyers Club and Rush, which can be skipped with
the chapter forward button and are not
otherwise available once the disc loads.
The Best Man Holiday Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
It's easy to decide whether you'll like The Best Man Holiday. If you liked Best 1, the sequel is an
appropriate and engaging continuation of its multiple stories. If you haven't seen Best 1, starting
with Best 2 is almost certainly a mistake, because so much of its emotional undertow (and comic
setup) depends on the viewer's knowledge of these characters' long history together. Unlike Best
1, which received an indifferent video presentation and minimal extras, Universal has come
through with an exemplary image and an array of interesting supplements. Now the company
needs to get to work on the remastered special edition that will no doubt accompany the release
of the upcoming third film. Meanwhile, for fans of the series, The Best Man Holiday is highly
recommended.