The Night Before Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Night Before Blu-ray Movie Review

Get Them to the Nutcracker.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 26, 2016

Three longtime friends drink, do drugs, cruise the town, hit up an epic party, and learn the real value of their friendship along the way. No, The Night Before doesn't have anything new to bring to Hollywood's adult-centric version of show and tell, but it's a capable Comedy that hits genre high points without suffering from a fall into many of the usually associated lows. Director Jonathan Levine, who previously worked with both Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt on the fantastic 50/50, has crafted a film that more wrenches in emotional depth at the end rather than a film that specifically builds around it, but this is an entirely different affair. The Night Before works as a mindless romp through one night of binge partying that ultimately leads to a newfound perspective on life and a realization that moving on doesn't mean giving up the past.

It's time.

Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) lost his parents in 2001. He was devastated and doubly so come Christmastime, but his two best friends -- Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) -- took him out on the town on Christmas Eve for a night of partying he'll never forget. It became an annual tradition, but it always felt just a little...incomplete. They desperately want to score an invite to the prestigious "Nutcracker Ball" that's said to be the hottest Christmas party in the city. But as the years pass, dreams fade, friendships drift, and life goes in different directions. Chris has become a professional athlete with a secret. Isaac is married and his wife (Jillian Bell) is expecting their first child. Ethan, however, hasn't done much with his life. He's working odd jobs and longing to rekindle things with Diana (Lizzy Caplan), the love of his life. When he nabs -- steals, really -- three tickets to the Nutcracker, he reunites the gang and they set out for one more night on the town, though where it will take them emotionally doesn't seem as set as it once was, even as they gear up to attend the Christmas party of all Christmas parties.

The Night Before works in a positive message about the ties that bind and the balance of life's new commitments with old friends and habits at the end. But that's not what people want from a movie like this. The crude humor and jokes flow as freely as the booze and the drugs, and a good number of them hit because the cast is fully invested in the process and material. The Night Before feels like there's very little actual acting in it. Seth Rogen in particular effortlessly falls into the role and simply seems to roll with it, enjoying his scene-chewing antics and making the most of his uncanny ability to capture that frisky, party-hard, and comically over-the-top vibe. Anthony Mackie and Joseph Gordon-Levitt play slightly more complex characters, the latter in particular, but they, too, spend most of the movie forgetting the underlying story arc and going about the business of enjoying big city entertainment.

That said, the film struggles with an unshakable repetitiveness that sees it plow through the motions with a commendable carefree spirit but lacking the creative juices to match. It's all rather predictable from beginning to end, whether the larger arc of the night or the newfound appreciation for the bond the friends share at the end, which of course follows the obligatory trials and tribulations that threaten to tear them apart, though only after many drugs have been taken and swigs of liquor swigged. Beyond the Christmastime theme, there's little that separates The Night Before from other, similar genre films. The movie offers enough mischief and crude humor to satisfy the audience's wants and needs, but those hoping that the chemistry-laden trio of Rogen, Mackey, and Gordon-Levitt could elevate the material beyond its superficial entertainment value will leave disappointed, at least in that regard. At its most fundamental level, the movie is fun and funny.

The Night Before Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Night Before's digitally sourced shoot translates into a proficient 1080p Blu-ray presentation. Much of the movie takes place outside, at night, or in otherwise lower-light conditions. Colors don't often have an opportunity to stretch and pop, but the movie' foundational colors, such as Christmas sweaters, offer satisfying balance. Accents are impressive, too, whether orange seats on a subway train or little touches around a Christmas dinner table. The film features plenty of blown out highlights, which appear to be artistically intentional. Skin tones are well composed and black levels are deep without pushing to crush. Details are fine, rarely exquisite but always offering positive definition. Those aforementioned sweaters never find truly intimate complexity, even in close-ups. The same doesn't always hold true for skin textures, however. Anthony Mackie close-ups reveal fine pores and Seth Rogen's beard reveals nicely delineated fine hair textures. Supportive city details, like building façades, cars, streetlights, and other surrounding objects reveal satisfying attention to detail. Light noise hovers over much of the film and a hint of aliasing creeps in during a couple of scenes, but other artifacts are never a problem. This isn't the most spectacularly attractive picture in Blu-ray history, but it suits the movie's somewhat softer and feeble source well enough.

The Night Before Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Night Before jingles all the way to Blu-ray with a satisfying DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Music is the dominant factor in terms of energy and oomph. The rendition of Run-D.M.C.'s Christmas in Hollis (which was also featured in Die Hard, a film The Night Before references on several occasions) offers a well energized burst of to-tapping beats with a weighty low end. Much the same can be said of a few other bass-happy tracks scattered throughout the film, but even more traditional Christmas music heard over the film's open manages strong instrumental clarity, fine depth, and good stage presence, including a mild surround element. Environmental ambience picks up a bit here and there, offering large-crowd background din and street level details with natural positioning and definition. Fireworks pop with a positive heft and zip through the stage, accompanied by effortless movement from end to end. Dialogue enjoys natural clarity and prioritization, even in the noisiest environments.

The Night Before Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Night Before contains a number of short features and one longer piece. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes (1080p): Red Bull Limo (1:17), Chris Arrives (0:27), This Isn't Your Phone (Extended) (3:45), and Midnight Mass (Extended) (2:42).
• Gag Reel (1080p, 1:00).
• Christmas in the Summer (1080p, 5:35): A closer look at the movie's Christmas sweaters, making Christmas scenes in unseasonal weather, and sets and shooting locations.
• The Spirit of Christmas (1080p, 3:23): Cast and crew discuss their Christmas traditions.
• Drunkest Santas on the Block (1080p, 4:27): A closer look at the characters portrayed by Jason Mantzoukas and Jason Jones.
• Midnight Mass with Nana (1080p, 4:06): Making a church scene starring Seth Rogan.
• Whale Juice (1080p, 3:11): Inside a strip club sequence.
• Mr. Green O-Rama (1080p, 3:59): Theories swirl around one of the movie's key characters and his scenes in the film.
• Making One Epic Party (1080p, 20:22): A look at referencing other Christmas movies, story themes, shooting in the summer, the movie's blend of emotion and humor, cast and performances, making several scenes, and more.
• Previews (1080p): Additional Sony titles.

The Night Before Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Night Before probably won't emerge as an annual Holiday favorite, but the movie satisfies as a time-killing good time with a Christmas theme. Its underlying story depth doesn't add much to an otherwise full-on assault of mayhem that accomplishes its goals, thanks largely to excellent work from its trio of leads, none of whom, and Rogen in particular, really look like they're doing all that much "acting," a compliment to be sure in a movie of this variety. Sony's Blu-ray release of The Night Before features good video and audio. Supplements are many in quantity but usually favor brevity rather than depth. Recommended.