Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

The Fluffy Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

100 pounds down, 100 laughs up.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 11, 2014

To label The Fluffy Movie as a "movie" might be a misnomer, particularly for audiences going in blindly, sold on the star and the big, bold title lettering rather than the actual content within the film. No, this isn't a "movie" in the traditional sense that stars comedian extraordinaire Gabriel Iglesias as a donut-munching cop or ill-prepared stay-at-home dad or something along those lines (hey, studios, two free ideas, feel free to use them! Iglesias is up to the task) but instead a stand-up comedy show with a few minutes of fictionalized opening featuring everyone's favorite fluffy comedian being born and experiencing his first dose of stand-up that would define and shape his life forever. Otherwise, it's really not at all different than any of his other previously released stand-up specials like I'm Not Fat...I'm Fluffy or Aloha Fluffy. And while that might not be what everyone expects, that's not at all a bad thing. Iglesias is in top form here, better -- and lighter -- than ever before in a must-own for every fan and a great starting point for newcomers who really should give in and sample the laughs Fluffy has to offer.

His (lighter) Fluffiness.

The Fluffy Movie begins with a recreated look back at Iglesias' early life, including scenes in which his mother and father meet, that depict his birth, and glimpse into a day that would forever change his life: the day he conned his mother and a video store clerk into letting him rent Eddie Murphy: Raw. The film transitions to a performance in the Bay Area, with a replica Golden Gate Bridge in the background, featuring a now-lighter Gabriel Iglesias talking about the humor in his life, including his weight loss and a trip to a clinic for the morbidly obese, his travels through India, life with his demanding and technology-absorbed son, and a recent reconnection with his father.

The Fluffy Movie -- or better said its star Gabriel Iglesias -- is truly laugh-out-loud funny. His material transcends culture, as does he, finding the humor in the everyday life from around the world but largely (no pun intended) centered on his own universe, his own personal issues, the sort of things that, in his performance, he admits brought him to tears but that have since evolved to bring him, and his audience, laughter. Iglesias proves himself a fantastic storyteller, capable of humorously bringing out the funniest, and sometimes most subtle, details of his life experiences in a way that enhances rather than diminishes the story and at the same time add to, not subtract from, the innate humor of the moment. His delivery is perfect. He knows his audience and plays to it, pushing further and reading the mood rather than reciting preplanned jokes and adhering to a strict routine, come cheers or jeers. His comedy feels more like a conversation rather than "a routine," giving it an evolved feel on an intimate level. His capable sound effects strengthen his verbal performance, and his natural, comfortable stage presence make him the perfect comedy package.

Technically, the production never strays from basic stand-up performance capture, presenting the home viewer with several angles depicting the star in action with a few wide shots and scattered audience reactions providing the only visual flavor in the film. Otherwise, it's up to Iglesias to carry the nearly two-hour comedy extravaganza, which of course he manages with little evident effort. The recreated "young Fluffy" scenes are great, straightforward to be sure but well done, nicely performed, and sure to be a treat for fans. There's a nice little throwback to the olden days of VHS rentals and troublesome CRT televisions, both offering a glimpse back to the glory days of home video viewing. Juliocesar Chavez is excellent in his brief scenes as the young Iglesias, immediately charming his audience with the sort of determination and perfectly executed sleight of hand only a child destined for great things could accomplish. It's a shame there's not a little more here, but the few minutes pre-show are practically worth the price of admission, though Iglesias certainly does a great job of making the audience forget all about the open until he effortlessly, humorously, and with a bit of real emotion and heart, ties the entire experience together in a touching final few minutes.

The Fluffy Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Fluffy Movie opens with a wide recreated "film" version of Fluffy's childhood while the bulk of the program is presented at a 1.85:1 ratio. The recreated footage varies in quality but never excites the visual senses. It's warm and drab, taking on a flat yet overly sharpened appearance that reveals intimate facial details but lacks the subtle realism of the best HD video visuals. Black levels, too, are muddy and unwelcoming. The main program looks a bit better and more consistent. Gone is the warmth and replaced with a more neutral, perhaps ever-so-slightly cold, appearance. Black backgrounds are more balanced and Iglesias' skin appears more neutral and favoring his natural color. Details are a major improvement, with a more evident clarity and definition on faces and clothes. Close-ups reveal the texture of his shaved head, accumulated beads of sweat, and clothing lines and fine details. Colors are naturally pleasant, though rather limited given his gray-black-white shirt and generally covered blue denim shorts. The image satisfies but never truly impresses. The early footage could stand an improvement, but the standup performance looks about as good as one might reasonably expect.

The Fluffy Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Fluffy Movie arrives on Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Opening Mariachi music satisfies in stage presence and clarity but the track never recreates the bar or immerses the listening audience into the location. Iglesias' stand-up routine features a good bit of crowd noise that spreads well enough across the front but never fully engulfs the listener, instead staying predominantly up front with only a cursory and tinny surround element. Iglesias' dialogue comes through clearly and robustly with a nice little bit of front stage reverberation that helps better sonically define the large arena in which he speaks. Dialogue in the early film segment is likewise clear and precise.

The Fluffy Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of The Fluffy Movie contains only a previews tab featuring additional Universal titles. Inside the Blu-ray case, buyers will find a DVD copy of the film as well as a code for a UV/iTunes digital copy. From the main menu, viewers may choose either the theatrical (1:41:53) or extended (1:53:24) cuts of the film.

The Fluffy Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Fluffy Movie doesn't really fit the mainstream definition of "movie." It's a standup comedy show with a fictionalized recreation of its star's early life at the beginning, which lasts all of five or so minutes. Nevertheless, Gabriel Iglesias fans will absolutely adore this latest release. It sees the comedian in top form -- verbally and physically -- in one of his defining performances that will thrill longtime fans and that should serve as a great way for newcomers to discover what's made him one of the top comedians in the world. Universal's Blu-ray release of The Fluffy Movie features adequate video and audio. Unfortunately, no supplements are included. Recommended.