Top Five Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Top Five Blu-ray Movie Review

A life in a day in the life.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 4, 2015

The life of a funny man isn't always fun and games, or so says Top Five, Writer/Director/Actor Chris Rock's film that explores how a comedian lost his edge and regains it in an unusual way. It follows a famous man but peers deeply and darkly (and comically) behind the façade, exploring the juxtaposition of personal failure and popular rise followed by personal success that brings about popular decline. The film weaves a pleasantly deep character exploration into a frequently raunchy film, one that's both challenging and entertaining alike but not often at the same time. It's not until Top Five edges towards its conclusion when it all begins to tie together in a meaningful way. It's a film that wades waist deep through the muck of life but does so with a purpose; the only question is whether the end is worth the tough, messy journey necessary to reach it.

Apparently, 'Uprize' doesn't rock.

Andre Allen (Rock) is engaged to reality TV star Erica Long (Gabrielle Union), and their wedding is planned for broadcast. He was once considered the funniest man in America, a top stand-up comic and a popular movie star with a hit trilogy under his belt. But his alcoholism brought it all down, though perhaps not quite in the way one might expect. He's now moved beyond stand-up and comedy and has set his sights set on more serious endeavors. His latest film, Uprize -- which tells the story of a violent Haitian slave revolt -- is set to premiere. He's working promo on the radio and through phone interviews, but it seems nobody cares. They're only interested in his glory days of yesteryear. When he's asked to sit down for an interview with a reporter from the New York Times, he hesitates but eventually agrees. He meets with Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), a fellow recovering alcoholic to whom he opens up and shares the story of his career, beginning with a fall from grace in 2003 and the consequences of sobriety on his life and career thereafter.

It takes awhile for Top Five to round into top form, at least dramatically. Its scattered open and middle weave a narrative but one that feels largely aimless, an interesting story without much of a point. The film finds firmer ground in its third act as it all begins to gel into a more complete, more substantial picture of a man brought to the top through personal failure and brought back down through personal success. It takes a hard, honest look at why Andre stopped drinking and why he's tried to make the transition from comedy to serious drama, and without the results he expects. The audience learns it's not about trying a new direction or a sudden need to scratch a more creative itch. It's an interesting look into a "what if" world of celebrity that gradually morphs into a satisfying character study. The interesting contrast of failure breeding success and vice versa makes for a fascinating avenue of exploration, which the film expertly, pointedly, ofttimes humorously, and occasionally darkly, traverses. Top Five doesn't really reach its full potential until late in the game, but it makes the otherwise scattered and, frankly, occasionally irritating first two-thirds necessary, meaningful, and suddenly contextually interesting. The movie may be a rare example where it will work better on a second viewing, allowing the viewer to absorb every little bit and line in a greater context of what's to come rather than take it all on face value the first time, essentially yielding two unique experiences that both add up to a satisfying final film.

Chris Rock's triple duty doesn't dilute the film. His work on either end of the camera impresses considering the relative ease and simplicity with which he tells the story on one side and the complexity through which he shapes it on the other. While his direction is tight and easy, framing the story rather than pushing it, the performance proves substantially more multilayered and impressive. He finds a nearly constant humorous vibe, both overtly and covertly in everything from the most raunchy sex scenes to the most intimate story-shaping exchanges with co-star Rosario Dawson. Rock maintains character throughout but shows a smart, capable evolution, even if that evolution is partly shaped through flashbacks and partly through personal rediscovery. Still, his portrayal of a complex character proves accessible and smart, even if, again, it takes the entire movie, and arguably a second watch, to truly appreciate all of the details. Dawson is excellent in the support role as a character who is in some ways a reflection of Rock's Andre and who has a few surprises up her sleeve, surprises which she masks remarkably well. The film additionally sees several good supporting performances from Gabrielle Union, Cedric the Entertainer, and Anders Holm of Workaholics fame. Watch for fun cameos from Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler, and Jerry Seinfeld all appearing in the same scene. A number of other familiar faces also appear throughout.

Top Five Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Top Five arrives on Blu-ray with a clean, detailed, and robust 1080p transfer. The digital photography largely leaves behind the sense of flatness and glossiness that accompanies the lesser images and instead features a tight, detailed, somewhat deep, and fully complex image that looks great in nearly every scene. Daytime exteriors reveal a fine range of complex details, even away from the usual faces and clothes, which are as expected: lifelike and tactile. The city springs to life in the background with honest, lifelike precision and richness. Even darker scenes, in a nightclub or outside at night, showcase some well defined backgrounds and maintain a healthy level of clarity. Colors are even and exciting, with a nice, natural palette at play in every scene. Darker scenes reveal good depth and low light details; a comedy club near the end sees deep shadows that don't devour elements inside. Noise is sprinkled in some of the darker shots, but the image is otherwise free of any major distractions like banding and blocking. Rarely does the transfer fail to impress. It's excellent all-around and another new release winner from Paramount.

Top Five Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Top Five features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that excels with every element. The track springs to life with a healthy and vibrant cityscape atmosphere that doesn't simply place sound in the listening area but envelops the listener in even the smallest little bits that transport them to New York. It's not simply cars and chatter but cars and chatter that move around naturally though the stage and according to the direction by which the main action is taking place. Music is rich and clear with healthy stage placement and good weight to it. Dance club bass is naturally muddy as it blares through the background. A couple of somewhat heavier sound effects, like a minor car crash or an assault on a beer display, enjoy robust presence and detailed clarity. Dialogue is efficiently reproduced in the center.

Top Five Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Top Five contains several extras, including a commentary and deleted scenes. Inside the Blu-ray case, buyers will find a DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy.

• Audio Commentary: Writer/Director/Actor Chris Rock and Actor JB Smoove offer a fairly straightforward track that aims to be a bit funny but mostly serious. There's some nice insight into the film's structure, the technical approach to various scenes, cast and performances, story details, the right blend of comedy and drama, and more. There's a fair bit of wayward comments that stray from the path, but overall this is a fair track that fans should enjoy.
• It's Never Just a Movie: Chris Rock and Top Five (1080p, 20:08): Cast and crew and Chris Rock himself look at the hints of realism in the movie, Rock's roots in standup (with clips of his early career on the stage), Rock's career path, the film's story and themes, assembling the cast, working New York into the story, improvisation, and more.
• The Making of Top Five (1080p, 10:26): Some behind-the-scenes footage combined with interviews that look at Rock's work and style behind the camera, casting and his relationship with his performers, the film's tone and story, and more.
• Top Five Andre Allen Standup Outtakes (1080p, 6:22): Highlights of Chris Rock's character performing standup comedy.
• Top Five Moments You Didn't See in the Film (1080p, 4:16): Five extra bits of footage.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p): More deleted scenes. Includes Andre Raps (1:55), First Day Your Movie Comes Out (0:40), and These Shoes (0:55).

Top Five Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Top Five takes some time to get to the larger point, but the end proves worthy of the journey. Make no mistake, Top Five is interesting as it moves along, but it's not until it all begins to really come together that the movie finds its footing and greater purpose. Some may find it might work better, and play somewhat differently, a second time through with the greater context in mind. Chris Rock is excellent even in triple duty, providing steady direction and a complex lead performance. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Top Five features high end video and audio. A healthy allotment of extras are included. Recommended.