BLU-RAY REVIEW

Instant Family

Featured In Issue 238, April 2019

Picture3.5
Sound3.5
WSR Score3
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):
Paramount Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
2111062
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Thematic elements, sexual material, language and some drug references
(Retail Price):
$39.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
118
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
2/19/2019
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Sean Anders
(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):
DTS HD Lossless 7.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Subtitles):

In "Instant Family," when Pete (Wahlberg) and Ellie (Byrne) choose to start a family, they stumble headfirst into the world of foster care adoption. After they learn their perfect foster child comes with two siblings, Pete and Ellie find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight and must lean the ropes of instant parenthood if they hope to become a real family. Inspired by a true story. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director/Wrier Sean Anders and Writer John Morris; deleted and extended scenes with an introduction by Anders and Morris (HD 10:11); seven featurettes: "Mr. And Mrs. Fix-It" (HD 04:11), "Kid Power" (HD 09:08), "I Need Some Support" (HD 05:17), "Order In The Court" (HD 03:53), "The Families Behind The Fix" (HD 09:14), "Crew Inspiration" (HD 04:59) and "The Anders Family" (HD 07:05); a gag reel (HD 03:09); the Isabela Moner "I'll Stay" music video (HD 03:35); an On Set Proposal; upfront previews; and a digital copy code.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa XT camera system and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The imagery is perky with a naturally saturated color palette. Hues are never exaggerated. Fleshtones also are rendered perfectly natural. Contrast is good, though, the picture is pretty bright throughout. Black levels, limited as they are, and shadow delineation are respectable, Resolution is generally good as well. Both interior and exterior textures in close-ups show decent detail as well as clothes and fabrics. Overall, this is a satisfying visual experience with a bright presence. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is conventional with a focused, forwarding-sounding dialogue track. The other major element is the music, which extends to the four surrounds with at times a strong envelopment. A very, very brief thunderstorm extends to the surrounds. Atmospherics, as well as reverberation in a courtroom, provide some envelopment. This is generally an undistinguished soundtrack due to its rather ordinary subject matter accompaniment (Gary Reber).