Wish I Was Here Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Wish I Was Here Blu-ray Movie Review

Braff's Garden State 2.0 borders on sentimental parody...

"Write what you know." Suggested addendum: unless what you know amounts to one thing, then only write it once. At first glance, Wish I Was Here and writer/director Zach Braff's last jack-of-all-trades passion project, Garden State, are entirely different films. Poke a little deeper, though, and you'll soon find similar stories starring similar lead characters struggling with similar father issues and malaise-induced stagnancy. The biggest difference is in how the two movies play. I remain a fan of Garden State, however precocious it seems in retrospect some ten years after its release. But with Wish I Was Here, we find not a more seasoned filmmaker but one still working to translate life into art, despite significant setbacks. It's little wonder studios were so indifferent to Braff's script, which culminated in the Scrubs actor turning to Kickstarter to get the production off the ground. (A decision that subjected Braff to a great deal of largely undue criticism.) Wish I Was Here isn't precocious; it's so self-aware it borders on hubris, with its director painting himself into overcooked, over-written, over-monologued corner after corner. By film's end, heartstrings are tugged, emotions are spent, and catharsis is gained -- several times over actually -- but it all feels hollow and decidedly manufactured. With Garden State, Braff wore his heart on his sleeve, flaws be damned. With Wish I Was Here, he wears his keyboard on his chest, blurring the line between screenwriter and storyteller to the point of irrelevance.

Wish I Was Here Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Wish I Was Here at least tackles death, parenting and adulthood with a shining example of 1080p/AVC-encoded excellence. Colors are sometimes muted but never underwhelming, with lifelike hues, naturally saturated skintones, tempered primaries and satisfying black levels that lead to a striking, altogether disarming presentation. Detail is first-rate too, with crisp, clean edges (free of ringing and aliasing), wonderfully resolved textures (not too soft, not too sharp), and notable shadow delineation. The encode itself is just as proficient, without a hint of artifacting, banding, errant noise or any other issue that might drag down the proceedings. Regardless of how you react to the film, there's no denying its video presentation impresses.

Wish I Was Here Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is quite good as well, although not as remarkable as its video presentation. Dialogue is clear, intelligible and convincingly grounded, and that's helpful since so much of Wish I Was Here involves one long conversation after another, interspersed with selections from Braff's iPod. Prioritization is spot on too, meaning the only thing that underwhelms is the underlying sound design. LFE output is reserved to the point of rarely piping up, while the rear speakers do a fine job with little more than subdued ambience, soundtrack support, and the occasional fantasy sequence, home to the only real directional wizardry the film has to offer. If that sounds harsh, it's not meant to. Everything about the mix serves the film without exception, so there's very little to complain about. Fans will be pleased.

Wish I Was Here Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentaries: Two commentaries are available, the first with co-writer/director/producer Zach Braff and co-writer/producer Adam Braff, the second with Zach Braff, director of photography Lawrence Sher and editor Myron Kerstein. The first is primarily anecdotal; a beat by beat overview of the day to day shoot, the relationships that developed among the cast, and a general, entry-level rundown of all things Wish I Was Here. The second track is the gem of the bunch, though, with the filmmakers providing a more scene-specific dissection of the production. Fans of the film will want to gravitate to this particular commentary, if not for its sheer extensiveness, then for its substance.
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary (HD, 25 minutes): Zach Braff, Lawrence Sher and Myron Kerstein offer their thoughts on thirteen hit or miss scenes, some of which could have easily been retained in the final film, others of which were wisely deteled.
• Directing While Acting (HD, 9 minutes): As "cut" is called, Braff begins directing, often in costume and at the center of any given scene. It's fairly interesting watching the filmmaker swap hats mid-scene, but a longer documentary would have been more satisfying.
• Aston Martin Dealership Outtakes (HD, 4 minutes): Still good friends, Scrubs alumni Zach Braff and Donald Faison send each other into fits of laughter. If you were a fan of the series, prepare to get a little misty eyed amidst the crack-ups.

Wish I Was Here Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Wish I Was Here is too aware of Garden State and director Zach Braff's indie sensibilities to leave much of a mark. It too often dangles on a thinly threaded gimmick, and when that snaps, it relies on father-son heartstrings to keep it suspended. I'm sure some people will warm to its cozy predictability and nagging self-awareness, but despite my affection for Garden State, I wasn't one of 'em. Universal apparently was, though. The Blu-ray release of Wish I Was Here features a terrific video presentation, solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, and a decent supplemental package, propped up by two audio commentaries, 25-minutes of deleted scenes, and other assorted goodies.