Why
Him?
(2016/Fox 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray + Blu-ray/DVD Set)
Picture:
A-/B+/C+ Sound: A-/A-/C+ Extras: B Film: C
From
John Hamburg who directed the very funny I
Love You, Man
(2009) comes the hit and miss new comedy Why
Him?
(2016), which stars James Franco, Bryan Cranston and Zoey Deutch
(Before
I Fall).
From a story idea by actor Jonah Hill, who starred alongside Franco
in This
Is The End (2013),
Why
Him? is
a dysfunctional Christmas-set family comedy with some decent
performances and the occasional chuckle, but at times has completely
predictable jokes and several loose story beats that don't get tied
up and, to no surprise, more fart and sex jokes than you can shake a
stick at. Not a success with critics but a decent performer at the
holiday box office, the film lands on 4K UHD and Blu-ray thanks to
Fox.
Why
Him?
also stars Megan Mullally, Cedric the Entertainer, Keegan-Michael
Key, Griffin Gluck, and Andrew Rannells to name a few.
When
Stephanie (Deutch) goes to Stanford for college, she leaves her
Michigan-based family behind to start a new life which includes Ned
(Cranston), Barb, and her younger brother Scotty (Gluck). During a
time when Ned's paper printing business is on the verge of
bankruptcy, Stephanie invites the family to visit her in California
for Christmas to spend it with her and her eccentric new boyfriend,
Laird Mayhew (Franco) who is a millionaire video game designer and
everything they don't want for her daughter. Laird has creepy
tattoos, a foul mouth, a lack of filter, a bizarre art collection,
and a plan to propose to Stephanie and make her his wife. Feeling
that he is losing control of his only daughter, a war brews between
Ned and Laird as the two go through many trials and tribulations as
Ned's good intentions consistently backfire. Can Laird win Ned's
approval and join the family?
Much
like the character of Laird that Franco plays in the film, the movie
tries way too hard, with nearly no implications on many of the
shenanigans that take place. (Spoilers) For example, fifteen year
old Scotty gets drunk at a rowdy Christmas party at Laird's house and
we never see him again after, in fact the parents are there partying
too... which doesn't make sense for the 'over protective' parents
that they are supposed to be. Another scene involves Cranston hiding
under a computer desk while Laird and Stephanie are having sex on top
of it... suddenly in the next scene Cranston is sitting in a bathroom
alone. How did he get out of the situation that is never brought up
again? Another character (a bearded tech guy) who works for Ned in
the film seems to have a crush on Stephanie in one scene, and then in
another is in love with his oriental wife and daughter. Jokes are
planted and not paid off, which is ultimately just bad writing.
The
presentation on the film on 4K UHD disc is pretty impressive,
however, in 2160p with HDR (high dynamic range 10-bit color) and a
widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 that looks pretty stunning. This
isn't the type of film that you would expect to see on this format
but the detail on the characters is detailed down to the last pore on
the actors' faces and vivid textures of the sets. The sound mix is
equally as impressive with a DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 7.1
track, that is also on the regular Blu-ray disc that sounds immersive
throughout and dialogue that is clear and easy to understand amidst a
simple score and occasional rock song, including several by the band
KISS (which make a cameo as well). The Blu-ray is presented in 1080p
high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and a DTS-HD
MA (Master Audio) lossless 7.1 track as well that is fine for what
the film is and doesn't really detract too much away from any
enjoyment. The 4K UHD is simply more detailed in terms of skin tones
and overall presentation. A lesser quality digital UV copy of the
film is included as well.
A
Blu-ray edition with a DVD has also been issued and the DVD is on the
soft side with an almost streaky look in places, while the lossy
Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is weak and has a soundfield that always sounds
a bit incomplete.
Special
Features include...
Why
Him? Gag Reel
47
Minutes on the Can
Why
Gustav?
Barb
Fleming: America's Mom
Lou
The Entertainer
Richard
Blais: Twisted Chef
Deleted
Scenes
Feature
Length Audio Commentary by John Hamburg (Director/Co-Writer), Ian
Helfer (Co-Writer) and William Kerr (Editor)
-
Gallery
-
Theatrical Trailer
Despite
a few laughs, Why
Him?
is riddled with several flaws and moments that you can see coming.
One look at the cover art and its pretty easy to tell what the film
is about and where it's going. If you like really dumb comedies then
you may enjoy it, but if you want to see a dysfunctional family
comedy that works just rewatch the original Meet
The Parents
(2000) and call it a day.
-
James Lockhart and Nicholas Sheffo
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
