The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
84
Studio and Year: 20th Century Fox - 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Feature running time: 103 minutes
Genre: Family/Romance/Comedy
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.35:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Starring: America Ferrera, Lance Gross, Carlos Mencia, Forest Whitaker, Regina King, Anjelah N. Johnson, Lupe Ontiveros
Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa
Music by: Transcenders
Written by: Wayne Conley, Rick Famuyiwa, Malcolm Spellman
Region Code: A
Blu-ray Disc release Date: July 13, 2010
"To have and to hold.t'il dad's do us part"
Film Synopsis:
Forest Whitaker and Carlos Mencia star in this clash-of-cultures comedy about two overbearing dads who must put aside their differences to plan a wedding for their children, Marcus (Lance Gross) and Lucia (America Ferrera), in less than two weeks. As the wedding brings out the best and worst in both families, the young couple soon discovers the true meaning of love and family.
My Take:
Our family wedding begins with Lucia and Marcus a young couple in love who are coming home with the intention of announcing their impending marriage to their families. Unfortunately there are a couple of obstacles they must contend with. Neither, her parents or his father are aware that they have been living together, she has quit law school, and that he is African American and she is Spanish. Lastly, the couple has to get married in the next few weeks before he is scheduled to arrive in Laos (Southeast Asia) on a medical internship (all of this is revealed in the first few minutes and isn't spoiler material). As if that isn't enough trouble abounds when their two fathers Miguel (a mechanic), and Brad (a disc jockey) clash over which child is more or less deserving of the other. Marcus and Lucia have a few things to learn as well as to teach in this entertaining comedy that proves that there is truth to the saying - that when you marry someone, you marry their whole family.
I tend to enjoy films, regardless of genre, that relate to familial subject matter. The trailer for Our family wedding looked promising as it features a decent cast and a well traveled but evocative storyline that revolves around a young couple from different ethnic backgrounds that fall in love and have to contend with the impending wrath of their unsuspecting families. This has been done many times before and certainly better however I found this to have merit. The formulaic plot didn't bring anything new to the table but I didn't mind the frivolous banter or rehashed comedy. I found the characters to be likeable despite their cardboard cutout design. There were several subplots that revolved around Marcus and Lucia and I think they were integrated well which added more depth to the story. I didn't find any truly standout moments of laughter or emotion but the film idles along smoothly and offers enough humor and heart to keep interest from waning. There is a ridiculous sequence (involving a destructive goat) that takes place just prior to the wedding that should have been cut. It completely disrupts the flow to that point and doesn't really fit in with the rest of the film. Aside from that I think that Our family wedding doesn't try to be something its not. It is a lighthearted comedy about family, the complexities of relationships and the importance of overcoming our differences. No it's not perfect or original but it makes for a decent watch on comedy movie night.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for some sexual content and brief strong language.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Audio: 80
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
Video: 88
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black level/Shadow detail:
- Color reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Our family wedding comes to Blu-ray Disc from Fox featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 25 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.3 Mbps.
I found this to be a solid high definition offering that exhibited quality which is consistent with today's newer release films that come to Blu-ray. Colors are cleanly rendered, with bright, inviting primaries and vivid hues that look great. Fleshtones are a little on the warm side but natural in appearance. Images are lucid with appreciable fine detail and excellent dimensionality. Blacks are velvety and dynamic with punchy contrast and estimable delineation in low lighting and shadows. A light sprinkling of grain provides texture and gives it a filmic quality that tops off a great looking presentation. The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack capably delivers the elements present in the recording. Dialogue is crisp, well intonated and rich through the center channel. Sonic detail is rendered with clarity and high fidelity that brings out audible texture/subtle refinement. Robust dynamics and low frequency effects are used to add solidity to the film's music. Surround use is limited but where appropriate opens up the soundstage nicely. This is obvious during the night club sequence (when Miguel and Brad go in search of a DJ) as the sound field is transformed into a multi- dimensional venue filled with immersive atmospheric ambience driven by pulsating hip hop bass rhythms that energize the room.
Bonus Features:
- (HD) 5 deleted scenes + director's cut ending
- (HD) Til Dad's do us part - 15 minute making of featurette
- (HD) Gag reel - 2 minutes
- (HD) Theatrical trailer
- Live extras: BD-Live access to various 20th Century Fox trailers
- Digital Copy Bonus Disc - Our family wedding
Final Thoughts:
Our family wedding is a lighthearted romantic comedy about family, the complexities of relationships and the importance of overcoming our differences. It doesn't bring anything original to the genre however it offers enough humor and heart to make it worth watching when you're in the mood for a comedy. Fox brings it to Blu-ray Disc day and date with DVD and the results are excellent as it looks and sounds terrific in high definition. The bonus supplements include a making of featurette, deleted/extended scenes, gag reel and a digital copy for those who want to take it on the go via their portable media device. Some may find its well traveled plot played out but I got something out it. If you enjoy comedies like this throw it in your rental queue and give it a spin.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
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