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Friends With Benefits (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

post #1 of 33
12/4/11 at 9:54pm
Thread Starter 
attachment.php?attachmentid=229570&d=1322921900
The Review at a Glance: ( max score: 5 )

Film: attachment.php?attachmentid=109946&d=1210373697

Extras: attachment.php?attachmentid=109943&d=1210373697

Audio/Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )

82






Studio and Year: Screen Gems 2011
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 109 minutes
Genre: Romantic Comedy


Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD MA 5.1, French DTS-HD MA 5.1,
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish
Starring: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Bryan Greenberg, Woody Harrelson, Richard Jenkins
Directed by: Will Gluck
Music by: Wende Crowley
Written By: Keith Merryman , David A. Newman, Will Gluck, Harley Peyton
Region Code: A

Blu-ray Disc release Date: December 2, 2011







"Stop buying into this Hollywood cliché of true love"



Film Synopsis:

While trying to avoid the clichés of Hollywood romantic comedies, Dylan and Jamie soon discover however that adding the act of sex to their friendship does lead to complications.




My Take:

Mila Kunis stars as Jamie, a recruiter living in NYC. She recruits Dylan (Justin Timberlake) to a great job at GQ magazine, so he moves from LA to NYC. They are both freshly out of relationships and they decide to try the Friends With Benefits situation. Friends With Benefits is like the Scream of romantic comedies. As the films main characters mock its genres clichés, they are, of course, become one themselves. As things progress they realize there just might be something to the rom-com stereotype, and as their feelings start to go on auto-pilot the complications seem to become...complicated.

Friends With Benefits was an honest snapshot about relationships and how uncontrollable feelings can be, especially with a couple who started things with preconceived notions. Justin Timberlake proves himself to be quite a competent actor and his chemistry with the gorgeous Mila Kunis was perfect. The supporting cast of Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson and Richard Jenkins added much needed levity and really made the film shine. Pacing-wise, whenever I was getting annoyed with the in and out of bed or standard upset-fight-walk away, the film would seem to realize it and move on. Sitting through many formulaic romantic comedies made me appreciate the fresh approach of Friends With Benefits, and I think you might as well.





Parental Guide:

Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, nudity and some violence.





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: attachment.php?attachmentid=109945&d=1210373694

  • Low frequency extension: attachment.php?attachmentid=109946&d=1210373698

  • Surround Sound presentation: attachment.php?attachmentid=109945&d=1210373697

  • Clarity/Detail: attachment.php?attachmentid=109947&d=1210373697

  • Dialogue Reproduction: attachment.php?attachmentid=109947&d=1210373697


Video: 84



  • Resolution/Clarity: attachment.php?attachmentid=109946&d=1210373697

  • Black level/Shadow detail: attachment.php?attachmentid=109946&d=1210373699

  • Color reproduction: attachment.php?attachmentid=109947&d=1210373698

  • Fleshtones: attachment.php?attachmentid=109946&d=1210373698

  • Compression: attachment.php?attachmentid=109947&d=121037369
Friends With Benefits hooks up on Blu-ray Disc from Sony Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 24.1 mbps and DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround Sound that has an average bitrate of 2.4 mbps.

Friends With Benefits is not the best looking new release I have seen from Sony-- not that its bad, it's quite a competent HD release, it was just was missing that extra but of depth and dimension the best release have. Flesh tones look natural, but tend to take a clayish appearence in the daylight scenes. Blacks are stable and colors seem right on, however, finer details do waiver, thankfully mostly to an impressive level of definition. The movies many ariel shots stand out like a sore thumb looking like a completely different camera shot them and seem lower resolution. The DTS-HD MA audio track has all the components of a rom-com from the loud pop songs on every transition to the heavily weighted front sound-stage. Bass on the musial portions is tight and deep, but dynamics seem lacking as things tend to squash under pressure. The track fairs well for its genre, dialogue is coherent but things never seem to breath the way I would have liked them to.



Bonus Features:



  • Commentary with Writer/Director Will Gluck, Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis

  • (HD) Deleted Scenes

  • (HD) Outtakes

  • (HD) In A Flash: Choreographing A Mob

  • (HD) Bonus Benefits: A Pop-Up Trivia Track

  • (HD) On Set With FWB

  • BD Live enabled

  • UV Streaming Copy

  • DVD Copy





Final Thoughts:

Friends With Benefits surprised me, and I am glad to have it in my collection. The cast was superb, especially the supporting roles by Patricia Clarkson and Woody Harrelson. The mocking of typically formulaic romantic comedy stereotypes worked, and though it was pretty typical as well, it had a fresh feeling. Audio and Video-wise this is a fine quality HD release by Sony, it just never reaches the heights of the best of the new release pack. Sitting through many formulaic romantic comedies made me appreciate the fresh approach of Friends With Benefits, and I think you might as well.






attachment.php?attachmentid=157497&d=1257542613







Lee Weber
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews




Reference Review System:


JVC DLA-X3 3D 1080p 3D High Definition Front Projector
Screen Innovations Solar HD 1.3 120" 2.40:1 CinemaScope Screen
Denon AVR 4311 Pre/Pro
Sunfire Theater Grand 7201 Amplifier
Sony PS3 Slim Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
MK Sound S-150MKII LCR
MK Sound S-150T Tripole Surrounds
MK Sound MX-350MKII Subwoofer
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post #2 of 33
12/4/11 at 10:34pm
Just saw this film. Definitely agree on your take on the film
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post #3 of 33
12/5/11 at 2:06am
Greetings,

Glad you enjoyed this one too Lee. Thanks!

Regards,
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post #4 of 33
12/5/11 at 3:27am
Lee,

I just watched this Friday night and couldn't stop laughing. I was also surprised with how good the movie was. I was expecting something similar to "No Strings Attached" but this by far was more entertaining IMO.
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post #5 of 33
12/5/11 at 4:01am
Just watched it and not too bad but I couldn't get over the irony of it continuously mocking romantic comedies. That was a strange paradox for a "by the line" romantic comedy.
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post #6 of 33
12/5/11 at 8:39am
Thanks, Lee. I'll rent this one soon.
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post #7 of 33
12/5/11 at 8:51am
Saw the trailer and thought it was the same old rom-com and came in with low expectations but surprisingly it came out better than expected. Although the score is low a definite collect for me.
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post #8 of 33
12/5/11 at 9:11am
Good review Lee--got this one coming today from Netflix--should be a good one!
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post #9 of 33
12/5/11 at 9:53am
Lee....thanks. You just put another movie on my "rent" cue.
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post #10 of 33
12/5/11 at 11:29am
Great review. I have already seen the movie (several times) but wanted to read someone else's opinion. Pretty entertaining movie in my opinion.
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post #11 of 33
12/5/11 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisx510 View Post

Lee,

I just watched this Friday night and couldn't stop laughing. I was also surprised with how good the movie was. I was expecting something similar to "No Strings Attached" but this by far was more entertaining IMO.

Wow I keep hearing the same thing over and over, and how well it was done..Too bad a Block Buster are so far and in between these days for a quick rent

Djoel
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post #12 of 33
12/6/11 at 7:08am
Agreed with the review, this movie was a pleasant surprise -- with a strong emphasis on the comedy aspect of a rom-com.

As someone who didn't like Easy A but was oddly entertained by Fired Up, Gluck is 2 for 3 for me and someone I'll keep following.
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post #13 of 33
12/6/11 at 5:30pm
Anyone else having issues finding the combo pack with the exclusive bonus disc at their Target stores?
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post #14 of 33
12/6/11 at 10:13pm
FINALLY, I find myself TOTALLY agreeing with Lee! I am almost embarrassed to admit this, but I enjoyed this film more than almost anything I've watched in the last six months....and I watch a lot of stuff! I laughed consistently throughout, and there were three or four scenes where I was truly rolling! Awesome supporting cast, as Lee mentioned....Woody, P.Clarkson, R.Jenkins, etc...fantastic job by the lovely and sexy Mila Kunis, and J.Timberlake does a great job of being the type of guy that other guys can appreciate and not some girly man who makes us all nauseous.

AWESOME flick!!
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post #15 of 33
12/7/11 at 9:55am
I watched this yesterday--from Netflix--and enjoyed it quite a bit. Good performances from both Justin Timberlake and Milia Kunis--certainly worth a look by anyone who enjoys this genre of movie.
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post #16 of 33
12/7/11 at 1:58pm
I was skeptical but from all the reviews this film seems to worth the watch. I'll have to give this one a watch for sure.

Thanks
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post #17 of 33
12/7/11 at 4:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Summa View Post

FINALLY, I find myself TOTALLY agreeing with Lee



Phew! He finally came to his senses
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post #18 of 33
12/7/11 at 11:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Weber View Post

Phew! He finally came to his senses

I know, right!?!
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post #19 of 33
12/9/11 at 9:31am
Liked it too, but you forgot to mention the best part, the director and stars Timberlake and Kunis commentary (one of the Special Features), better and funnier than the movie !!! And I rarely watch the commentaries but this one is great !!!
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post #20 of 33
12/9/11 at 11:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sergiohm View Post

Liked it too, but you forgot to mention the best part, the director and stars Timberlake and Kunis commentary (one of the Special Features), better and funnier than the movie !!! And I rarely watch the commentaries but this one is great !!!

I wish they would offer special features/commentaries when you stream from Vudu..that would be great. I rarely watch/listen to the commentary either, but I can imagine this one was good...Mila Kunis is a great chick, and J.timberlake has a great sense of humor. I may rent it from Netflix just for the commentary
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post #21 of 33
12/9/11 at 5:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sergiohm View Post

Liked it too, but you forgot to mention the best part, the director and stars Timberlake and Kunis commentary (one of the Special Features), better and funnier than the movie !!! And I rarely watch the commentaries but this one is great !!!

I didn't get to watch it. I will on your suggestion...
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post #22 of 33
12/19/11 at 7:39pm
Turned it on
Watched 30 minutes
Turned it off.

Poor dialog and story.

Milan Kunis far sexier when she isn't talking so much. Justin Timbrlake... Don't him either.

I must be getting old...
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post #23 of 33
12/20/11 at 12:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebland View Post

Turned it on
Watched 30 minutes
Turned it off.

Poor dialog and story.

Milan Kunis far sexier when she isn't talking so much. Justin Timbrlake... Don't him either.

I must be getting old...

Gosh, really?? Were you not in the mood for this sort of film? I just can't imagine anyone not having fun with this one! lol

I've been in the minority as well in terms of enjoying a flick that everyone else loved, though, so I understand it can happen
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post #24 of 33
12/21/11 at 3:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Summa View Post

Gosh, really?? Were you not in the mood for this sort of film? I just can't imagine anyone not having fun with this one! lol

I've been in the minority as well in terms of enjoying a flick that everyone else loved, though, so I understand it can happen

After seeing Black Swan, I was ready to see this. Justin Timberlake is a bit cheesy but I was all in... But Mila Kunis simply talked too much and just got annoying - the more she opened her mouth, the less sexy she became. There was no chemistry between her and Timberlake... and ironically Kunis made a reference to Kathyrn Heigl during the movie, the big romantic-comedy star... That cemented the idea that Kunis was in the wrong role... (apparently, the knew it too).

I know many liked it but I've also seen that many didn't.
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post #25 of 33
12/21/11 at 9:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebland View Post

After seeing Black Swan, I was ready to see this. Justin Timberlake is a bit cheesy but I was all in... But Mila Kunis simply talked too much and just got annoying - the more she opened her mouth, the less sexy she became. There was no chemistry between her and Timberlake... and ironically Kunis made a reference to Kathyrn Heigl during the movie, the big romantic-comedy star... That cemented the idea that Kunis was in the wrong role... (apparently, the knew it too).

I know many liked it but I've also seen that many didn't.

I think I was too preoccupied by all the skin she was showin' to notice all talking she was doing
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post #26 of 33
12/24/11 at 7:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Summa View Post

I think I was too preoccupied by all the skin she was showin' to notice all talking she was doing

That's undersrandable... that said, I liked her better in the Black Swan (as she ravaged Natalie Portman).
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post #27 of 33
2/11/12 at 5:42pm
Picked this one up on the cheap so i will give it a go tonight. Have been told its very good.
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post #28 of 33
2/11/12 at 8:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Franin View Post

Picked this one up on the cheap so i will give it a go tonight. Have been told its very good.

Looking forward to hearing your take, Frank!
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post #29 of 33
2/11/12 at 10:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Summa View Post


Looking forward to hearing your take, Frank!

Will do Summa
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post #30 of 33
2/12/12 at 7:51am
I've just finished watching this film and I really enjoyed it. I'm glad I added this to my collection. I loved Mila Kunis.
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