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Get Smart's Bruce And Lloyd: Out Of Control
R1 - America - Warner Home Video Review written by and copyright: Rob Fields (14th July 2008). |
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The Film
 Well, I guess it didn’t take long for the 2008 TV-to-film big budget Hollywood version of “Get Smart” to really start being shoved into the eyes of the public. I remember first seeing the promotional soft drink – Slice with Mandarin-Orange flavoring, available in regular and diet. Then I saw the first ads for the video games. Then it was being put out all over the TV, as well as the preview trailers before theatrical films. Truth be told, I wonder exactly how many people who plan on going to see the movie are 1.) there to see it because it’s a remake of the two TV series (1965-1970 and a 1995 redux of the TV series) or 2.) because Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is in it or 3.) both reasons or 4.) none of the above. I managed to catch a few episodes of the original series and it had only taken me a few episodes to realize that this series was definitely not for me. In fact, when I had heard that there was going to be a big budget Hollywood film version, I had planned on staying off the radar altogether when it came to it. In other words, I had no intention of seeing it. I still don’t as of this writing. But somehow this “Get Smart” tie-in title has made its way to my mailbox. So, I guess I’m gonna have to tackle it and hope that it makes the grade. Will it? Find out. “Get Smart’s Bruce and Lloyd: Out of Control” (1:11:36) – Synopsis: Loved “Get Smart”? Get more! Get extra spy-spoof hilarity when “Get Smart’s” bungling inventors Bruce (Masi Oka) and Lloyd (Nate Torrence) stumble into their own comedy adventure in a zany story paralleling “Get Smart” (and including surprise star cameos from that 2008 movie). The R & D smarties are out of the lab and way out of their comfort zones as they scramble to find a nifty new invention they’ve somehow lost – an invisibility cloak – before KAOS does. Of course, the whole invisibility thing really complicates matters. And learning on the fly how to be a spy is a big-time challenge for our heroes. Would you believe you’ll have to watch to discover how they do it?! I liked how it was explained as to why Agents 86 and 99 are not able to tackle the case. I also liked how Bruce and Lloyd are their own characters and not somebody else’s sidekicks, though they are also in the theatrical “Get Smart” movie also. You know for a fact that they are lab techs and are not trying to idolize 86 and 99. The two characters have differing personalities, but yet they gel together very well. I enjoyed their teamwork - if one of them doesn’t know the solution right away, the other one will help the other out. Also, I liked how it was spy adventure and not about the spoofs and the jokes altogether. Also, it’s good to know that Anne Hathaway makes a cameo. Again, this IS a movie tie-in. The downsides? First off, okay, I know they (Warner Brothers) have the rights to the “Harry Potter” films (2001-Current), but an invisibility cloak?! Come on! No wonder the movie industry is suffering today. Okay, while invisibility isn’t exactly an original concept, I think they could have come up with something other than an invisibility cloak. Also, could the product placement be any more obvious? It makes me wonder if this is a movie tie-in or promotional video for other products, such as the still-very-hard-to-get Nintendo Wii. Then there’s the Oakley sunglasses... My final word: Okay, in spite of all the product placement, I actually enjoyed this tie-in. Unfortunately, I will probably NOT go to see the theatrical release of “Get Smart” in spite of it (even though I have Movie Cash included). I suppose if you are reading this and DID enjoy the movie, then you will probably enjoy this tie-in featuring Bruce and Lloyd. If you are thinking that Bruce and Lloyd are not going to be worth it, then I beg to differ here. If you enjoyed the “Get Smart” franchise, then by all means – buy it! If not, then it’s at least worth the rental. Oh, and also, make sure that you watch the credits as there are bloopers in between the names.
Video
The film is presented in both its original anamorphic widescreen format (1.85:1 ratio) and a formatted-to-fit-your-TV fullscreen version (1.33:1). For this review, I will avoid the fullscreen format as I do NOT want to see the film with my picture all chopped up. Remember, folks, fullscreen does NOT mean full picture unless that’s the way it was shot. Being that this a Warner Brothers title, I definitely did not expect anything less than excellent from the picture quality, which looks very well – in spite of the VERY minor pixels that are seen in the presence of the blacks and greys. You may or may not notice it, depending on your TV setup. Note that this title is also region-coded for playback in Region 4.
Audio
The film features an English Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack. There are optional English, French, and Spanish subtitles available (for the film only). The audio seems to make use of the 5.1 setup well. I guess it would make sense since this movie was made to compliment the 2008 remake. You hear the music and the voices very well. Even the slightest background noises stick out.
Extras
Warner Brothers has included 3 featurettes and some bonus trailers that make up the extras presented in this package. Read further for insight into these features. Note that there are no optional subtitles available for these features. The first of three featurettes “Bruce and Lloyd’s Confessionals” runs 14 minutes and 31 seconds. Here you will see members of the cast for this movie posing as their characters. They are giving their thoughts on some of the other characters that they’ve run into at the party (mostly what they think of some of the other characters), which you see in the first act of the film (where the invisibility cloak disappears). You may enjoy this if you’re into the whole “Bruce and Lloyd” thing. Otherwise, you can probably skip it. The second featurette “Cue the Anti-Follicular Device” runs 4 minutes and 59 seconds. Here, you will see some behind the scenes segments featuring interview footage with the cast and crew. You will get to see what the devices actually do BEFORE the post-production is implemented. You will also learn about how some of the AFTER effects were done. The final featurette “Bruce and Lloyd Tech” runs 13 minutes and 25 seconds. Here, you will see interviews with members of the cast who actually got to use some of the toys utilized during the film. You also get to hear from members of the crew also. You will hear where the ideas for the devices came from. You may also find out that things such as REAL invisibility devices may not be too far-fetched. Rounding out the extras are a series of bonus trailers for other Warner Brothers releases (before the Main Menu only): - "Get Smart" which runs for 1 minute 30 seconds. - "Mama’s Boy" which runs for 31 seconds. - "The Bucket List" which runs for 32 seconds. - "Fool’s Gold" which runs for 32 seconds. - "10,000 B.C." which runs for 32 seconds. - "Anti-piracy" spot which runs for 1 minute.
Packaging
It’s a DVD packed in an Amaray keep case. The first releases will come with a cardboard slip cover with lenticular packaging and a Movie Cash coupon good for $7.00 off the price of admission to see the 2008 film redux of “Get Smart”.
Overall
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