DVD

Date Night (Extended Edition) (With Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

$24.99

User Reviews about Date Night (Extended Edition) (With Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

Movie - 4.5

I'm a big fan of Steve Carell. Ever since his debut for me in Anchorman, I've really liked his improv schtick and love The Office so much because of him (and others, of course). When I watched the trailer for Date Night some months ago and saw that he was co-starring with Tina Fey (also one of the funnier women I've seen), I thought it was a match made in comedy heaven that two award-winning actors would be gracing an action-packed rom-com with their presence. Carell and Fey play a married couple with two kids, stressful jobs, and a very mundane life that allows them one date night per week that may, but usually doesn't, lead to bedroom fun. One night, they steal a reservation at a high-end restaurant, suffer a case of mistaken identity by two mob-employed policemen, and are on the run to settle things by night's end. With that said, Date Night is a goofy and over-the-top ridiculous film about marriage, the lackluster lifestyle it brings with it, and the desire to break out of said rut. I'm not married myself, nor do I think I ever want to be if anything from this film is even the least bit accurate about "family life," but I appreciate the sentiment they tried to display through Carell and Fey. I suppose like any other part of life, when everything starts to become routine, stagnation kicks in and you eventually get bored. I feel sorry for couples who think they're happily married, but aren't courageous enough to realize the stresses, repetitions, and emotional shortcomings a marriage can bring. Not that this film comes off with some kind of anti-marriage theme, quite the contrary. I think it sends a message that you just have to keep things new and diverse, be it in a steady relationship, marriage, or whatever. Some things I really like in the film are the script, actor chemistry, and the fact that it's all just a little over 90 minutes (for the extended version, anyway), making for a fun, short, and very laughable romp thanks in part to a great cast of supporting characters, particularly Mark Wahlberg, William Fitchner, and J.B. Smoove.

Video - 4.5

The movie starts off a bit dull in terms of photography, or should I say rather plain. You get to see Carell and Fey, the lives they lead at work, the humdrum existence that is their marriage, and some fairly boring (though funny) instances of social engagement between themselves and the rest of society. Colors don't really stick out, but do provide a very real-world portrayal from their time in the restaurant to the various layouts and nik naks around the house. But when the movie gets into gear, things look especially great. Black levels are perfect from Carell's jacket all the way down to the night streets of Manhattan. All the little dirt marks, scuffs, and messed up hair do a wonderful job in terms of detail and never get lost, despite the action that ensues. Contrast does a fine job keeping lines, shadows, people, and objects separate from each other as well, with a great amount of balance between film grain and noise. One scene that really impressed me was the part where the crooked cops take them to Central Park. It's extremely dark outside and inside the dock house, but there was barely any noise to be seen. On the one downside, while the overall picture is excellent, a few shots around the beginning are a little softer than the rest of the film, but maybe it was to complement the literary transition? Anyway, this was an unexpected surprise to have such good picture quality for a movie that I really thought would just get the low-budget, cannon fodder treatment, but kudos to the DP, Dean Semler for some excellent work.

Audio - 4.5

Much like the picture, the audio was quite a surprise as well. Dialogue is clear and understandable from the center channel throughout, even during that chaotic car chase sequence with all the screaming and background noise. Directionality doesn't offer much at first, but when the adventure begins, things like gunshots, screeching tires, a SWAT helicopter, and running through the streets (on foot or in car) will make their presence known. The part that wowed me the most was the scene where they go to visit Mark Wahlberg's character for the first time. He has this high-tech Tony Stark kind of computer in his office with a holographic touch-based screen (like I said, the movie is over-the-top), that when he starts pushing buttons or clearing icons to the side, it beeps, bleeps, and creeps with an amazing amount of depth that's almost the same kind of feeling in Iron Man. Seriously? Again, it was totally unexpected. Separation of the dialogue, music, and sound effects also offer up a good deal of immersion. Chrisophe Beck's score mixed with various selections of record label songs really kept me into the movie and always struck just the right chord for the on-screen situations. High and low ends (like Walhberg's computer, or the gunshots from the crooked cops) are handled perfectly as well. The only factor stopping me from giving the audio a 5.0 is the amount of LFEs. While there are a decent amount of them in the form body thuds, club music, and vehicle noise, I think giving the film anything more would just be ludicrous. Great job by the sound crew and the people at Fox, though.

Extras - n/a

This was just a rental, and I didn't have time to listen to the commentary or watch the special features, so I apologize for not being quite as thorough as I wanted. However, when I eventually buy the BD for my personal collection, I will take the time to watch/listen to the extras at that time, then update this portion of the review. In the meantime, I hope the movie, video, and audio sections will suffice.

Overall - 4.5

As much as I wanted to see this in theaters, I never got around to it. But thank goodness the Blu-ray looks and sounds excellent. Date Night is a movie that's very entertaining, and even a little encouraging to those who are married, but not quite having as much fun as they used to. Not that I'd recommend any couple just go out and try to evade the mob or something, but the film does make for funny escapist entertainment. If you like Steve Carell or Tina Fey, this is definitely one to recommend. -- Date Night (Blu-ray)

I was never planning on watching this movie but someone put it on during a family vacation and I was stuck watching it. It has been too long to remember when I laughed so much at such a nice feel good movie. Maybe the bad reviews were from those who just couldn't relate to the silly things that can go wrong in life (mind you, not that these things happened to me but I could relate :-) Anyway, just a good light-hearted movie which I thought was so great I'm now buying it. -- Suprised how much I loved it!

To break up the monotony of their marriage, their jobs and date night, New Jersey couple Phil and Claire Foster (Steve Carell and Tina Fey) throw caution and commonsense to the wind and go to an exclusive restaurant in the City for dinner. Having failed to get a reservation early, they steal another couple's and the shenanigans begin. Two men approach them and suggest that they have stolen something from their boss (Ray Liotta). Once they escape and head for the police station, they soon realize that the two people chasing them were copes and therefore believe "no cops" can be trusted. There are ensuing car chases, shoot outs, crooked cops, bad politicians and other hysterical situations that all produce a few laughs and made for a decent movie. I was entertained. After all, I didn't have to think too hard. The story was simple, short and to the point. The characters and actors were a riot. Mark Walberg (who must have refused to wear a shirt) had an opportunity to show his comedic talents via his interactions with Carell (who constantly asked him "for the love of God" to put on a shirt) and Fey (who acted all googly-eyed, goofy, and constantly batted her eyes). Common and his sidekick (Jimmi Simpson) were perfect as crooked cops (little dialogue but always physically present).Taraji P. Henson, acts well as the cop who knows something isn't right but isn't sure what it is. William Fichtner was the perfect "dirty" DA. And as the two try to make it home safely (to their kids, and now it would seem their perfect lives, which don't seem to be boring any longer), they realize just how extraordinary and in love they really are. -- Not too deep. Not too serious. And a good laugh. Light and perfect for a Sunday movie.

2.5 stars. I don't usually like Steve Carell movies but I do like Tina Fey. Overall, the movie is moderatly entertaining. There were a few LOL spots and some parts that were painful to watch. The plot gets absurd in parts and the writing isn't brilliant but it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick (as my grandmother used to say.)

Not bad but not recommended. -- Pretty good (for a Steve Carell movie)