Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

The Opening Act Blu-ray Movie Review

Sit down, stand up.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III January 5, 2021

Written and directed by Steve Byrne in his feature film debut, The Opening Act follows young up-and-coming comedian Will Chu (Jimmy O. Yang) during a particularly dramatic week in his life: after finally getting the guts to quit his dead-end insurance job thanks to a big break by pal Quinn (Ken Jeong), he goes all-in on his dreams of being a stand-up comic to honor his late dad. Despite this potentially quick route to success, Will is nervous about jumping in the deep end: he'll be emceeing a big Pennsylvania improv show headlined by childhood idol Billy G. (Cedric the Entertainer), who also has a hit TV show. In front of the biggest crowd he's ever performed for, will Will sink or swim?

Confidence is the biggest difference-maker in The Opening Act, which applies to both the film itself and its characters. It struggles to maintain a consistent tone early on and usually feels as awkward as most of the on-screen performers, which run the gamut from purposefully unfunny (at least that's what I hope they were going for) to fitfully entertaining. No one really "kills it", as they say, but they're usually at least respected for putting it all out there.

When Will finally gets the courage to loosen up a little -- after a series of brutally awkward misadventures, including his disappointing first meeting with Billy G. backstage, an increasingly surreal late night encounter with drunk groupies at the insistence of rowdy housemate / fellow performer Chris Palmer (Alex Moffat), fruitless attempts to lighten up an obnoxious local radio morning show, and a series of mid-performance bombs at the hands of unruly hecklers -- the young comic (and, by extension, the film itself) manages to find rock-solid footing just in the nick of time. All the while, Jimmy O. Yang refreshingly plays up his underdog character's humanity as an innocent straight man thrust into strange and hostile new territory, constantly reminding us along the way that, well, he asked for it.

While The Opening Act has a bit of fun with Will's repeated failures, it's most satisfying during the little victories that ultimately lead to a surprisingly heartfelt and inspiring climax urging newcomers not to be afraid of following their passions. (Although it's patently obvious, The Opening Act is a semi-autographical story for director Steve Byrne, who sheds light on a few true stories in one of this Blu-ray's bonus features.) All things considered, it offers a mostly enjoyable journey that, while not without a few speed bumps along the way, lands plenty of punches and isn't bogged down with much filler. As such, The Opening Act is worth seeking out -- especially if you're a fan of stand-up comedy, of course -- and RLJ Entertainment's Blu-ray offers solid A/V specs plus a few appreciated bonus features.

For a similarly positive take on the film, please see Brian Orndorf's theatrical review.

The Opening Act Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the digitally-shot The Opening Act looks solid on Blu-ray as seen on RLJ's capable 1080p transfer. Image detail is smooth but nicely refined at key moments, while most interior scenes -- none more so than those shot on stage at the PA improv -- look great with excellent contrast, deep blacks, and good color saturation. Other scenes can't help but look flatter in comparison, a byproduct of the source format and some rather bland staging that wouldn't feel out of place in a TV commercial. These moments compete with what's usually meant to be a lived-in atmosphere but don't regularly distract, as the large majority of The Opening Act manages to look like a professional show that at least captures the feel of strange new territory meant to feel a little intimidating. The Blu-ray itself is well-authored and runs at a reasonably high bit rate with very few compression-related issues: at most I spotted a few moments of errant noise and waxiness, which are likely more source material issues than disc defects.

The Opening Act Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Fittingly, the DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio offers a front-fueled experience that, like most stand-up shows, largely reserves the rear channels for crowd laughter. They are key exceptions -- like the "drunk groupie" club scene and its aftermath, as well as the original score by Dave Kushner and Jose Cancela -- but these are few and far between. Dialogue is nicely placed and feels appropriately wide in more open and/or outdoor locations. It's just a simple and straightforward presentation with no real defects; a track that isn't demo material but nonetheless gets the job done just fine.

Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included during the film only.

The Opening Act Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc release arrives in a standard keepcase with poster-themed cover artwork, no inserts, and a matching embossed slipcover. Bonus features are limited in depth but worth a once-over. I'll say this, though: considering The Opening Act's semi-autobiographical roots (hinted at during the first featurette), it's disappointing that writer/director Steve Byrne didn't record an audio commentary. I'd have loved to hear that.

• The Making of The Opening Act (6:10) - Writer/director Steve Byrne, Jimmy O. Yang, Ken Jeong, Cedric the Entertainer, Debby Ryan ("Jen", Will's girlfriend), Alex Moffet, and other key members of the cast and crew briefly discuss the making of the film and its personal meaning to them as comedians.

• Getting Started in Comedy (3:41) - Several of the film's comedic performers share their early experiences in the business, also adding a few words of encouragement to aspiring stand-ups.

• Extended Stand-Up Scenes (11:04) - Additional footage of Jimmy O. Yang, Cedric the Entertainer, Whitney Cummings, Alex Moffat, and others performing their respective in-character acts.

The Opening Act Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

First-time director Steve Byrne's The Opening Act is a fairly grounded film that follows an up-and-coming comedian during a particularly challenging week. It's armed with familiar faces if you're interested in stand-up, even though all of them aren't playing for big laughs. The central performance by Jimmy O. Yang is its biggest highlight, as he plays a likeable underdog surrounded by a colorful cast of mostly unpredictable supporting characters. It's an occasionally uneven but ultimately entertaining production that finds solid footing in the home stretch. RLJ Entertainment's Blu-ray offers solid A/V specs and a few light but appreciated extras, creating a well-rounded package for the price.