6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Nick Marshall, a Chicago advertising executive, gets a whole new outlook on life when a fluke accident gives him the ability to read women's minds. At first, this "gift" provides Nick with way too much information, but he begins to realize that he can use it to good effect, especially when it comes to outwitting his new boss, Darcy Maguire. In spite of his best efforts to finesse Darcy, he soon finds himself falling in love and truly understanding what women want.
Starring: Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda, Ashley JohnsonRomance | 100% |
Comedy | 93% |
Imaginary | 8% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A man’s man becomes the ladies man in Nancy Meyers’ lighthearted comedy “What Women Want” (2000). The transformation isn’t easy, but after it is completed the main character, played by Hollywood star Mel Gibson, earns the heart of the one he desires in a manner that will likely convince a few desperate chaps to give expoliating a try. Courtesy of UK-based distributors Icon Home Entertainment.
The gifted
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Nancy Meyers' What Women Want arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based Icon Home Entertainment.
The transfer the UK distributors have secured for What Women Want is healthy. Blacks, yellows, reds, blues, and whites are all natural-looking (the outdoor scenes in particular look lovely) and not artificially boosted. Furthermore, contrast and detail appear to be well-handled even though the film often looks a bit soft. Edge-enhancement is not an issue of concern, but occasionally I was able to spot its presence (a good example would be the scene where Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt fall for each other in the executive room). DNR-alteration is also not something you would have to worry about. Icon's print is very natural-looking, and I most definitely did not detect any traces of artificial intrusion to report here. This being said, there is a mild but consistent dose of video noise. It is hardly something that would detract from your viewing experience, but those of you with very large screens may spot its presence here and there. Still, What Women Want looks good on Blu-ray, and I certainly do not have a problem recommending it. For the record, I did not detect any debris, specs, or dirt. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray disc is marketed as Region-B, it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it in your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and English Dolby Digital 5.1. What Women Want may not be a film with a terrific audio structure, but the gap in quality between the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track and the Dolby Digital 5.1 track is certainly noticeable. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is crisp and potent – the rear channels get a good dose of activity, the dialog is well balanced with Alan Silvestri's soundtrack, and balance is plausible (the bass is hardly a factor here). Overall, this is a very densely-mixed track, which is quite surprising given that What Women Want is far and away from being a sonic powerhouse. This being said, the Dolby Digital 5.1 track clearly does not match the nuanced enhancements the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track offers. As generic and cliché as it may sound, I personally did not detect the same type of depth on the Dolby Digital 5.1 track that I noticed on the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track. Finally, both tracks appear to be healthy – I did not spot any hissing, cracks, or specks. For the record, optional English HOH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
First there is a standard "Behind the Scenes" featurette where cast and crew members share their thoughts on film. They also offer some quite entertaining comments on the inability of the two sexes to overcome certain stereotypes that What Women Want focuses on. Next is a collage of interviews titled "A Look Inside" where Nancy Meyers, Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Ashley Johnson, and Marisa Tomei further elaborate on the characters they play in the film as well as on the "universal" strengths and weaknesses of the two sexes. Finally, there is a director's commentary with Nancy Meyers and production designer Jon Hutman. (For the record, all of the extras are in standard-def PAL format, so unless you have a TV that accepts native PAL signal, or a player that does an on-board PAL-NTSC conversion, you will not be able to access them).
What Women Want is a genuinely entertaining film that focuses on specific stereotypes that have become unbearable for the two sexes. Comedy and romance are mixed to perfection, though there are more than a few clichés that pop up here and there that could have been avoided. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Icon Home Entertainment, is of good, but not spectacular, quality. Recommended.
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