Universal Studios - Along Came Polly [BLU-RAY]

Very funny film. Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston have great chemistry but Philip Seymour Hoffman steals the show with a brilliant comedic performance.

Universal presents Along Came Polly in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC at its original 1.85:1 theatrical ratio. For a mid-2000s catalog comedy, the transfer is surprisingly pleasing. It retains a natural, film-like texture without the aggressive noise reduction or artificial sharpening that can undermine older high-definition masters. Facial detail, clothing, city streets, and the Caribbean locations show respectable definition. Colors are lively, with convincing skin tones, balanced whites, and solid blacks. Some shots lack the crispness and depth of a newer restoration, but the image remains stable and largely free of distracting damage or compression problems. This is a worthwhile improvement over DVD rather than a reference-quality showcase. The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track offers more energy than the film's romantic-comedy premise might suggest. Music at the wedding, Caribbean resort, and salsa club spreads engagingly across the soundstage, while New York ambience gives the surroundings convincing life. A storm at sea provides a particularly lively demonstration of surround activity, wind, thunder, and low-frequency impact. Dialogue stays clear and centered throughout. English Dolby Digital 2.0 and French DTS 5.1 tracks are also included, along with English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Universal carries over a useful selection of DVD-era extras, all presented in standard definition. Writer-director John Hamburg supplies a feature commentary, plus optional commentary on the alternate opening (1:36) and deleted scenes (6:06). Other supplements include Making of Along Came Polly (10:27), outtakes (4:33), Rodolfo Goes Hollywood (4:40), and the theatrical trailer (2:32). The material is lightweight but entertaining, and the commentary adds genuine production context. An odd authoring decision eliminates the conventional top menu; the extras are reached through the disc's pop-up menu. No DVD or digital copy is included. Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston make an appealing mismatched pair in John Hamburg's breezy comedy about an obsessive risk assessor learning to embrace uncertainty. Philip Seymour Hoffman nearly steals the film as Reuben's shamelessly theatrical best friend, while Hank Azaria contributes some of its broadest laughs. The romance follows a predictable path, and the reliance on bodily-function humor will divide viewers. Still, the cast's comic timing and easygoing energy make it an enjoyable early-2000s diversion. Universal's Blu-ray delivers a natural-looking transfer, lively lossless audio, and a respectable collection of extras. It may not justify a premium price, but it is a satisfying upgrade from DVD. Recommended for fans of the film and collectors of 2000s romantic comedies, particularly at a bargain price.

Love this movie I had to get it on Blu ray!

Good movie, love the actors/actresses. Don't make movies like this anymore.

Good comedy.