BLU-RAY REVIEW

Four Christmases

Featured In Issue 145, December 2009

Picture4
SoundNR
WSR Score3.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
New Line Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
3000022264
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Some sexual humor and language.
(Retail Price):
$35.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
89
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
2009
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
11/24/09
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Seth Gordon
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby TrueHD 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

Every Christmas, happily unmarried Brad (Vaughn) and Kate (Witherspoon) escape divorced parents and exasperating relatives by getting on a plane. This year a fog rolls in, the airport shuts down, and the couple is forced to celebrate Four family Christmases in one hectic, hilarious day. (Tricia Spears)

Special features include the featurette Four Christmases: Holiday Moments (HD 10:50), an HBO First Look—Four Christmases: Behind The Madness (HD 13:02), Seven Layer Holiday Meals In A Flash with Celebrity Cook Paula Deen and Actress Katy Mixon (HD 10:08), a gag reel (HD 02:34), seven additional scenes, BD-Live interactivity, and a digital copy of the film.

The 1.78:1 1080p picture is terrific, exhibiting impressive resolution that reveals fine facial features and object textures. Contrast is well balanced, with deep and solid blacks. Shadows are nicely rendered as well. The color palette is richly hued, with warm colors that convey a natural character. Overall, this is a pleasing picture that is visually lively and entertaining. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby® TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely presented, though dialogue, which is prominent, sounds forward, which compromises spatial integration. The music score is well recorded, with a wide and deep soundstage. Surround is limited, but when present, is attributed to the music and atmospheric sound effects. Overall, this is a conventional soundtrack that is serviceable to the story but is reserved dimensionally. (Gary Reber)