{"id":3942,"date":"2012-02-29T11:55:44","date_gmt":"2012-02-29T19:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/?p=3942"},"modified":"2021-05-28T16:36:06","modified_gmt":"2021-05-28T23:36:06","slug":"review-towerheist-bd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/2012\/02\/review-towerheist-bd\/","title":{"rendered":"Tower Heist Blu-ray Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Tower Heist<\/em><\/strong> has a few issues dealing the plot\u2019s logic but thanks to a fine ensemble cast, I\u2019m able to overlook any of the script\u2019s shortcomings; it gets the job done with both the crime and comedy.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>
\nTower Heist: Special Edition (2011)<\/strong><\/p>\n


\nREVIEW NAVIGATION<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe Movie<\/a> | Special Features<\/a> | Video Quality<\/a> | Audio Quality<\/a> | Overall<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Genre(s): <\/strong>Comedy, Crime
\nUniversal | PG13 \u2013 105 min. \u2013 $34.98 | February 21, 2012<\/p>\n

MOVIE INFO:<\/span>
\nDirected by: <\/strong>Brett Ratner
\nWriter(s): <\/strong>Adam Cooper & Bill Collage and Ted Griffin (story), Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson (screenplay)
\nCast: <\/strong>Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Judd Hirsch, Tea Leoni, Michael Pena, Gabourey Sidibe<\/p>\n

Theatrical Release Date: <\/strong>November 4, 2011<\/p>\n

DISC INFO:<\/span>
\nFeatures: <\/strong>Commentary, Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, BD-Live, Second Screen, DVD Copy, Digital Copy
\nNumber of Discs: <\/strong>2<\/p>\n

Audio: <\/strong>English (DTS-HD MA 5.1), French (DTS 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)
\nVideo: <\/strong>1080p\/Widescreen 2.40
\nSubtitles: <\/strong>English SDH, French, Spanish
\nDisc Size: <\/strong>42.3 GB
\nCodec: <\/strong>MPEG-4 AVC
\nRegion(s): <\/strong>A, B, C<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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THE MOVIE<\/strong> \u2013 3.0\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I have to admit, I have a soft spot for ensemble crime\/heist films and while they are few and far between \u2013 at this time I can only really think of the Ocean\u2019s <\/em>franchise, two of which were great entertainment \u2013, when one comes along, I can\u2019t help but give it a shot in spite of what others have been saying about it. So with that Brett Ratner\u2019s Tower Heist<\/em><\/strong> came along with a fun all-star cast and at least unique storyline. While both of those descriptions (fun and unique) are accurate, it doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t a few leaps in logic and outright plot holes that plague an otherwise OK flick.<\/p>\n

Tower Heist<\/em><\/strong> centers on Josh Kovacs (BEN STILLER), a luxury condo manager working for multi-millionaire Arthur Shaw (ALAN ALDA) and manages a group of workers whose sole purpose is to keep the residents happy. These workers, who are central to the plot, include: front desk manager Charlie (CASEY AFFLECK), new electrical guy Enrique Dev (MICHAEL PENA) and sassy maid Odessa (GABOUREY SIDIBE).<\/p>\n

Life is alright for Josh as he lives in a modest apartment and has opportunities to move up on the corporate ladder by managing a new complex in an exotic location. Also, Arthur Shaw seems to be a down to earth rich guy, but looks can be (and are) deceiving. The FBI, led by Special Agent Claire Denham (TEA LEONI), raids the complex and, after a short van chase through the streets \u2013 concluding in an over the top crash and slide \u2013 it is charged that Arthur has swindled millions from investors. Making matter worse, unbeknownst to the employees, Josh invested their pensions and 401ks (along with his own).<\/p>\n

Josh tries to go about business as usual but when one of the employees attempts suicide, he decides he needs to take matters into his own hands especially when learning all that money has disappeared. Meanwhile, Shaw has been released to house arrest (inside his spacious high-rise apartment) and things eventually becomes heated when Josh, along with Charlie and Enrique, goes into the apartment and trashes Shaw\u2019s grand prize: a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso once driven by Steve McQueen and worth in the tens of millions. This action causes the tower\u2019s General Manager, Mr. Simon (JUDD HIRSCH), to fire the trio.<\/p>\n

Out of a job and wanting revenge on Shaw, Josh devices a plan after discovering the apartment might contain upwards of $20 million. He enlists the help of Charlie and Enrique as well as of Mr. Fitzhugh (MATTHEW BRODERICK), a recently evicted tenant whose home was foreclosed on; oh and his family have left him and he\u2019s now living in a fleabag apartment. Josh also goes after a neighbor named Slide (EDDIE MURPHY) who was recently arrested and in jail. For whatever reason, he believes Slide is the guy to really get the heist into high gear and after learning of the payout, Slide readily agrees to help but not before testing the criminal abilities of the other members (via shoplifting and lock picking).<\/p>\n

** Spoiler Alert **<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, that\u2019s your basic premise to Tower Heist<\/em><\/strong>, Brett Ratner\u2019s new crime-comedy that no doubt is really fun and a brisk watch, but where it\u2019s high in ensemble chemistry, it\u2019s really (and I mean REALLY<\/span>) light in logic.<\/p>\n

Right now I\u2019m getting into MAJOR SPOILER<\/strong> territory by revealing the twist:\u00a0 then the group finally make it into Shaw\u2019s apartment and find the wall safe, they discover it\u2019s empty. Quite accidentally it\u2019s discovered he had put all his nest egg worth into… the Ferrari. Yep, the car itself is made out of solid gold (worth upwards of $40 million). But, that\u2019s not the illogical nature (although I\u2019m not sure how anyone didn\u2019t know given how much that amount of gold weighs and it had to be assembled piece by piece), instead it\u2019s how the gang intend on getting it out there. One it was out the window, down 4 floors \u2013 without drawing attention from anybody inside, let alone outside \u2013 into a vacant apartment, out the door and placed in the elevator shaft.<\/p>\n

At this point, as I recall, we get some suspense moments as Agent Denham discovers the plot and is racing to the apartment and in the end, each member is arrested (no idea how they knew every single person involved) and through a montage we see the Tower workers each receive a piece of the car (hopefully they know somebody who can melt it down and fence it). Well, through a flashback they show where the car was \u201chidden\u201d and it really raises more questions than answers.<\/p>\n

** End Spoilers **<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, with all that described and as indeed illogical as the heist itself was (blowing away the plot hole in Ocean\u2019s Eleven<\/em>), this doesn\u2019t negate how much fun Tower Heist<\/em><\/strong> is. I can\u2019t say the logic elements didn\u2019t deduct my score (probably a good 1 star) but for a movie that features a great crew of interesting actors, some who have seemingly been in hiding for a few years (or behind crappy family flicks *cough* Eddie Murphy *cough*), it\u2019s a light and fluffy movie that you can watch on a Saturday night and forget the next morning… even without a hangover.<\/p>\n

In terms of the casting, I liked seeing Ben Stiller in the more straight-man role; Matthew Broderick in, well, ANY role given his filmography has included independently financed direct-to-video flicks (not a bad thing, just pointing it out); Eddie Murphy trying to break out of the PG-rated funk; Casey Affleck doing something less serious after a few dark gritty dramas (Gone Baby Gone<\/em>, The Killer Inside Me<\/em>); and Tea Leoni who, like Broderick, has king of been MIA for the last few years.<\/p>\n

As much as I enjoyed seeing Eddie Murphy again, admittedly the character isn\u2019t well utilized. It\u2019s not so much Murphy\u2019s fault but because it is an ensemble and necessary to keep a good pace, each one can only get some much screen time. But when you compare it to somebody like Matthew Broderick\u2019s character, I had a far better reaction to him for whatever reason. With regards to Alan Alda, he plays your typical rich guy douchebag well enough and really, that\u2019s all you need from him: a fine adversary that audiences can hate and root for the heroes to rule the day.<\/p>\n

Despite problems with the script and more specifically plot, Tower Heist<\/em><\/strong> might not have the cool factor of Ocean\u2019s Eleven<\/em> (or its second sequel), yet it\u2019s still a fun movie that one can sit back and just enjoy watching the ensemble cast work together. Director Brett Ratner has been vilified online and even though I don\u2019t think he\u2019s a great filmmaker, he has brought us in the past two good action-comedies in Rush Hour 1 & 2<\/em> (the third movie was a bit of a turkey) and here he directs the action well enough and keeps a brisk pace that plays perfectly for the story on hand.<\/p>\n

So, while I only give this a 3\/5, I\u2019d still give it a moderate rental recommendation.<\/p>\n

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SPECIAL FEATURES \u2013 4.0\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This Blu-ray release comes with a glossy and embossed (both the title on the front and sides) slip cover. They call this a \u201cSpecial Edition\u201d but in reality there is only one Blu-ray release at the time of this writing and I doubt Universal will re-release a bare bones version outside of rental copies.<\/p>\n

U-Control<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Universal\u2019s staple feature allows the audience to check out different tid-bits while watching the movie including what tunes are used for different scenes and some picture-in-picture elements to primarily show storyboards\/animatics. Unfortunately there\u2019s not a whole lot here as the PiP stuff are too few and far between. ** Blu-ray Exclusive **<\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Screen<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Sadly this is yet another title utilizing this new feature where you have to download an app onto your computer or portable device and with that, you can watch the movie on your TV while getting behind-the-scenes footage or interviews on your computer. I really dislike this feature because there\u2019s no reason it couldn\u2019t have been put on the disc itself. ** Blu-ray Exclusive **<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feature Commentary<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Director Brett Ratner, Editor Mark Helfrich and Co-Writers Ted Griffin & Jeff Nathanson sit down for an entertaining yet informative commentary track. Say what you will about Ratner as a filmmaker, to me he records some of the best commentaries out there. The group takes the audience through the story writing process before moving on to casting and actual filmmaking.<\/p>\n

Alternate Endings (TRT 2:35; HD)<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 We get two alt. endings, one \u201c15 Months Later\u201d (0:46) where Stiller gets picked up from prison by Murphy (a la Clooney and Pitt in Ocean\u2019s 11<\/em>) and \u201cLester\u2019s Bar\u201d (1:49) which the Lester character opens a bar. Neither of these is particularly good though it\u2019s nice to the sexy Tea Leoni one more time…<\/p>\n

Deleted\/Alternate Scenes (5:58; HD)<\/span><\/strong> includes nine scenes that failed to make the cut (or were pared down) and while they\u2019re not bad, they also weren\u2019t necessary to the final film.<\/p>\n

Gag Reel (4:18; HD)<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 It wouldn\u2019t be a comedy Blu-ray without one of these, would it? Yep, line flubs abound as the cast cracks up one another.<\/p>\n

Brett Ratner\u2019s Video Diary (22:42; HD)<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 I believe this is a staple on most of Ratner\u2019s home video releases where we get an almost fly on the wall perspective on the filming with some behind-the-scenes footage. I actually liked this featurette behind you don\u2019t get the BS interviews with members of the cast and crew trying to explain their characters or the plot (don\u2019t worry, there\u2019s one coming up).<\/p>\n

Plotting Tower Heist<\/em> (44:42; HD)<\/span><\/strong> is comprised of 6 featurettes: \u201cThe Ratner\/Grazer Connection Parts 1-3\u201d, \u201cThe Conspirators\u201d, \u201cThe Ratner\/Grazer Connection Part Two\u201d, \u201cSet Pieces\u201d and \u201cThe Car\u201d. Together it makes for a pretty good making-of featurette where you get a glimpse at how the project came together, how the friendship between Brett Ratner and Brian Grazer developed, behind-the-scenes footage on the set design, and some of the typical interview footage yet they\u2019re still at least interesting.<\/p>\n

Previews<\/strong> \u2013 Honey 2<\/em>, Johnny English Reborn<\/em>, Hop<\/em><\/p>\n

Also included are a BD-Live<\/span><\/strong> Portal (** Blu-ray Exclusive **<\/strong>), a standard retail DVD Copy<\/span><\/strong> and an UltraViolet Digital Copy<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n

VIDEO \u2013 4.5\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Universal brings Tower Heist<\/em><\/strong> onto Blu-ray with a sharp looking 1080p high-def transfer. Presented in its original 2.40 widescreen aspect ratio, this transfer is crisp and clean throughout and although it doesn\u2019t quite pop off the screen, it is finely detailed. The color array is also impressive and I notice no signs of banding or any other flaws that even permeates newer releases.
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AUDIO \u2013 4.25\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track isn\u2019t an incredible aural experience but well done none the less. The biggest attraction to his lossless track is with the heist-oriented score by Christopher Beck which brightly shines with nice balance in each channel. Dialogue is also pretty good mainly making use of the center speaker while ambient noises primarily come through the rear channels. Although I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a fantastic track, it\u2019s more than satisfactory for the home theater crowd.<\/p>\n

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OVERALL \u2013 3.75\/5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Overall, Tower Heist<\/em><\/strong> has a few issues dealing the plot\u2019s logic but thanks to a fine ensemble cast, I\u2019m able to overlook any of the script\u2019s shortcomings; it gets the job done with both the crime and comedy. The Blu-ray offers up solid video and audio transfers a good amount of features with a better selection than what I\u2019ve seen lately from other studios.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Movieman<\/em>
\nPublished: <\/strong>02\/29\/2012<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tower Heist has a few issues dealing the plot\u2019s logic but thanks to a fine ensemble cast, I\u2019m able to overlook any of the script\u2019s shortcomings; it gets the job done with both the crime and comedy.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[1390,88,565,1389,584,1392,58,1391,1148,1388],"class_list":["post-3942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blurayreviews","tag-alan-alda","tag-ben-stiller","tag-brett-ratner","tag-casey-affleck","tag-eddie-murphy","tag-gabourey-sidibe","tag-matthew-broderick","tag-michael-pena","tag-tea-leoni","tag-tower-heist"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3942"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3942\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26124,"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3942\/revisions\/26124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moviemansguide.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}