The Internship

The Blu-ray release of "The Internship" by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment features an impressive AVC encoded 1080p transfer, maintaining a 2.35:1 aspect ratio showcasing the digital cinematography prowess of the Arri Alexa system. This setup is renowned for its ability to mimic the nuances of film, resulting in a video presentation with brightly saturated colors and a sharp, detailed quality that is particularly noticeable in the vibrant Google campus scenes and the carefully crafted retro-modern interior designs. The Californian exteriors are presented with a lustrous clarity that highlights the fine details, from facial textures to costume stitching, enhancing the visual immersion into the sun-kissed settings.

While the overall video quality is commendable for its depth and precision, with excellent rendering of primaries and deep, inky blacks ensuring a vivid viewing experience, there are minor inconsistencies. A small number of interior scenes suffer from slightly compromised contrast, appearing a tad murky, which marginally affects color saturation in low-light conditions. However, these moments are few and do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the transfer. Natural skin tones and the absence of digital anomalies like banding or aliasing contribute to a clean, seamless presentation.

Notably, the transfer escapes common pitfalls such as excessive color grading or artificial sharpening, preserving the film's intended aesthetic. The dynamic range is well-handled across both the bustling activity of the Google campus and more subdued settings, ensuring that scenes are free from motion blur and maintain a consistently high level of visual fidelity. This release stands out for its ability to deliver close-ups and midrange shots with remarkable detail, making 'The Internship' a prime example of how digital filmmaking can yield results on par with traditional film, especially when transferred to Blu-ray with such care and expertise.

The audio presentation of "The Internship" on Blu Ray showcases its lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, providing a quality listening experience that shines in particular scenes yet maintains a subtle profile throughout much of the film's runtime. Notably, the audio track consistently presents excellent fidelity, particularly highlighted in scenes bustling with activity such as the crowded Google foyer and the vibrant nightclub sequence. These moments afford the audio mix an opportunity to exhibit a more expansive surround sound landscape, enhancing the viewer's immersion with ambient and environmental noises that add depth beyond the fore.

However, the film's comedic nature and dialog-centric approach do not regularly leverage the full potential of the 5.1 surround sound, limiting the moments of true auditory immersion. Dialogue remains crystal clear and is well-positioned within the center speaker, ensuring viewers never miss a beat of the witty exchanges. Nonetheless, there's a noticeable restraint in the use of directional audio and surround activity across most of the narrative. Moments that could benefit from a richer auditory backdrop — such as the hustle of Google's environment or more varied crowd interactions — often rely on a more conservative sound mix. This approach, while ensuring clarity and balance, leaves certain auditory dimensions underexplored.

On the technical side, the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel demonstrates great balance, contributing to an adequately wide dynamic range that stands out in both densely packed scenes and quieter moments alike. While the surrounds see sporadic engagement, primarily accentuated in scenes that demand a heightened sense of atmosphere like the nightclub and sporting event, the overall audio experience feels slightly restrained. This nuanced audio mix underscores "The Internship"'s comedic and narrative focus, ensuring dialogue clarity and fidelity but often missing opportunities to fully envelop the viewer in a more continuously engaging auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extra presentation of "The Internship" offers a mixed bag of additional content catering to fans who wish to delve deeper into the making and context of the film. Both the Theatrical (1:59:25) and Unrated (2:05:01) versions of the movie provide viewers with a choice between a more polished experience and a rawer, edgier cut. The deleted scenes, while largely inessential, include some entertaining moments featuring the film's stars. “Any Given Monday” stands out as a creatively crafted faux documentary providing insight into the filming of the Quidditch match scene, albeit with an attempt to infuse a "Michael Bay" style that may not resonate with all. Shawn Levy's audio commentary is both enjoyable and informative, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and advantages of shooting at Google, despite being only available for the theatrical cut. Collectively, these extras add value for fans interested in the film's production nuances and the decisions behind the final cut.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical and Unrated Versions of the Film: Two versions with differing content intensity.
• Deleted Scenes: A collection of scenes omitted from the final cut, including some notable moments.
• Any Given Monday: A faux documentary detailing the Quidditch match's filming.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official film trailer in high definition.
• Audio Commentary with Shawn Levy: Insightful commentary available on the theatrical version only.

The Internship" reunites Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson in a comedy that ambles through the corridors of Google, aiming for laughs but often stumbling into a mild chuckle at best. Tasked with playing slightly different versions of their well-worn personas, Vaughn and Wilson transition from savvy salesmen to bewildered interns at the tech giant, clinging to their old-school ways in a sea of youthful, tech-savvy geniuses. Their chemistry, a highlight in previous collaborations, remains intact but is overshadowed by the film's struggle to find a comedic rhythm, encumbered by a PG-13 rating designed to widen its audience but ultimately diluting its bite.

Director Shawn Levy leverages real Google campuses to lend authenticity, creating a vibrant backdrop that's as much a character as the cast itself. Yet, the film's commentary on corporate culture and the generational tech divide feels superficial, lost amidst a plot that serves more as a love letter to Google than a critical exploration of its cultural impact. The storyline follows a predictable arc, with Vaughn and Wilson attempting to bridge the gap between their antiquated sales tactics and the digital acuity of their younger colleagues. Despite the presence of a diverse group of interns, each embodying various stereotypes, the script offers little depth to these characters, underutilizing their potential for genuine humor and connection.

Technically, "The Internship" benefits from Levy's competent direction and crisp visuals that make full use of Google's colorful facilities. However, the film meanders through its lengthy runtime without fully committing to either its comedic aspirations or its critique of Silicon Valley's ethos. It oscillates between moments of melancholy and half-hearted jokes, never quite achieving the hilarity or poignancy it reaches for. In essence, the movie captures the essence of being outpaced by a rapidly evolving digital world but fails to capitalize on its premise or its protagonists' talents, rendering it a missed opportunity for both social commentary and comedy.

The Internship," despite boasting the charismatic pairing of Vaughn and Wilson and a supporting cast that delivers vibrant performances, ultimately falters beneath the weight of its own ambitions. The film's attempt to weave humor and heart into the fabric of its narrative is undermined by a screenplay riddled with clichés, lacking in memorable punchlines. This shortfall in storytelling prowess suggests a missed opportunity for the screenwriters to have honed their craft further before embarking on this project. However, for enthusiasts of the film, the Blu-ray edition compensates somewhat with its technical merits. The video quality is praised for its pristine presentation, complemented by a robust audio track that enriches the viewing experience.

On the flip side, the film itself is described as uninspiring, failing to break new ground or inject genuine liveliness into its run-of-the-mill storyline. Despite the notable talent involved both in front of and behind the camera, "The Internship" struggles to transcend its formulaic approach, resulting in a viewing experience that might best be described as middling. The supplementary materials included with the Blu-ray are deemed average, offering little in the way of enhancing the overall value of this release. Potential buyers are advised to consider a rental prior to making a purchase decision.

In conclusion, while "The Internship" benefits from strong video and audio presentation on Blu-ray, these technical achievements are not sufficient to elevate the film beyond its inherent limitations. The lackluster narrative and squandered comedic potential leave much to be desired, even as Vaughn and Wilson's appeal and a solid technical production may offer some redemption for die-hard fans. For those on the fence, approaching this release as a rental first might be the most judicious course of action.