Blu Tuesday is a weekly column where we review the newest Blu-ray and 4K releases, along with a brief rundown of the included bonus material, to determine whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping.
Pick of the Week: “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
A post-apocalyptic revenge thriller that makes you feel every ounce of blood, oil and dirt that went into making it, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is an adrenaline-pumping piece of heavy metal cinema that serves as a firm reminder of why George Miller is one of the best action directors in the business. It doesn’t quite match the sheer spectacle of “Fury Road” — there’s only one standout action sequence, a 15-minute set piece that reportedly took 78 days to shoot and is every bit as impressive — but then again, not many films could. However, what it lacks in pageantry it more than makes up for with some excellent character work from Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, especially the latter, whose villainous turn is the driving force of the movie. Though “Furiosa” has some pacing issues that are felt in the back half, it’s an excellent addition to the “Mad Max” lore that is just as wild and visually intoxicating as its predecessor.
Extras include a behind-the-scenes look at making the film. FINAL VERDICT: BUY
Also Out This Week:
“The Bikeriders” — The films of director Jeff Nichols are steeped in Americana, but perhaps none more so than his latest movie, “The Bikeriders,” which captures a bygone era of motorcycle culture and life on the road. Loosely based on a 1968 book of photographs and interviews by photographer Danny Lyon, who followed the lives of an Illinois motorcycle club from 1965 to 1973, “The Bikeriders” is a fairly conventional drama that’s elevated by its excellent cast. Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, Michael Shannon and Boyd Holbrook all turn in great work as members of the biker gang, but it’s Jodie Comer who is the true MVP, showcasing her chameleon-like talents as the film’s de facto narrator. Though “The Bikeriders” loses steam in the final act as the story begins to sputter out, its cast does just enough to get it over the finish line. Extras include an audio commentary by Nichols, as well as a trio of behind-the-scenes featurettes. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
“IF” — After successfully transitioning from lovable everyman to bona fide action hero, John Krasinski reinvented himself yet again, this time behind the camera with 2018’s “A Quiet Place” and its 2020 sequel. Unfortunately, Krasinski’s latest film, the fantasy comedy “IF,” doesn’t come close to reaching the same heights. Though it’s certainly a clever concept, “IF” whiffs on the execution, falling into that nebulous zone of being too serious for kids and not funny enough for adults. Additionally, the premise doesn’t seem to have been fully thought out, leaving massive plot holes for the audience to either ignore or blindly accept, while Ryan Reynolds is utterly wasted in a role that fails to utilize his signature wit and charm. Though the film’s cast of CG-created imaginary friends are undoubtedly cute (especially Steve Carell’s Blue), it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a surprisingly drab affair. Extras include a behind-the-scenes look at making the movie and a gag reel. FINAL VERDICT: SKIP
“Observe and Report” — Writer-director Jody Hill’s 2009 black comedy “Observe and Report” may have become a bit of a cult classic in some circles, but it’s still a wildly uneven film that shares many of the same problems as Hill’s first feature, “The Foot Fist Way.” Though the movie contains some darkly funny moments, the actual story is so thinly plotted, and the characters are so pathetic, that there isn’t a whole lot to hold your interest. “Observe and Report” has garnered many comparisons to Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver,” but while both movies are somewhat similar in tone, that would be like comparing a piece of A5 wagyu to the center-cut sirloin at Outback. The latter is perfectly fine for what it is, but it’s not going to leave a lasting impression. Extras include a picture-in-picture commentary with Hill and stars Seth Rogen and Anna Faris, as well as a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes and a gag reel. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
