17 Again Blu-ray

17 Again

 (2009)

Comedy | Drama



What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike's glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned. But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him

For more details about 17 Again on Blu-ray, see the 17 Again Blu-ray Review

Starring: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry
Director: Burr Steers

17 Again Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


17 Again arrives on Blu-ray with an attractive, thoroughly proficient 1080p/VC-1 encode that looks substantially better than other genre transfers on the market. The film's palette, while brushed with mild bronze hues, is warm and vibrant, skintones are natural, and black levels are rich and fully-resolved. Likewise, contrast is lively and consistent, granting the image a welcome sense of depth and dimensionality. Detail is striking as well: object definition is crisp, texture clarity is sharp and satisfying, and shadow delineation is revealing. Scenes in Ned's house are gorgeous; treasure troves of obscure comicbooks, movie memorabilia, and random easter eggs fanboys like myself will eat up. Some noticeable edge enhancement hampers the overall presentation a bit, but ringing is the only technical blight that rears its head. Artifacting, banding, source noise, aliasing, and DNR are MIA, and the picture boasts a clean, almost enchanting disposition from start to finish. I have to admit I was pleasantly amazed with the film's remarkable high definition video transfer. Frankly, I was expecting much less.

17 Again Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


I was also pleased with Warner's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track. While it runs through all the expected motions any time conversations dominate the soundscape, it offers up plenty of unexpected sonic treats. The janitor's fountain of youth roars into existence, Ned's chaotic battle with a newly shrunken Mike is engaging, basketball games are immersive, and a reckless party thumps with LFE prowess. Rear speaker activity draws the soundfield around the listener more often than not, and dialogue is able-bodied and nicely prioritized. Directionality is a tad sporadic -- interior acoustics aren't always consistent, particularly in the halls of Mike's school -- but pans are transparent and dynamics range from decent to involving. If I have any complaint, it's that the film's soundtrack sometimes gets buried beneath the rest of the mix. It's a minor issue to be sure, one that thankfully doesn't overshadow everything the track does right.

17 Again Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Warner Announces 17 Again Blu-ray - June 9, 2009