The Movie
Not since Snakes on a Plane has a title so amusingly summed up the central plot device of a movie. And so we probably know before we press Play where the four main characters of Hot Tub Time Machine are going to wind up. Recent events have been an unpleasant reality check for three erstwhile buddies who have drifted apart, but after one of them almost kills himself (accidentally? attempted suicide?) they spend a weekend at their old haunt, a ski lodge that has fallen into sorry disrepair. At least the hot tub works, a little too well, and suddenly the 40-something trio plus a 20-something nephew are hurled back to 1986, replete with abundant ironic pop culture clichés.
They slowly, comically discover the truth of their predicament and scramble to find a way back, all the while taking sometimes painful steps to ensure they don't change history. To that end, there's even a running bit with Back to the Future's Crispin Glover, although it's Rob Corddry who steals the show as the rudest, crudest time traveler in the tub. This Blu-ray includes both the R-rated theatrical cut of Hot Tub Time Machine and a slightly longer Unrated version. Considering the raunchy nature of the proceedings, I'd go straight for the Unrated.
Also read Joe Lozito's review of Hot Tub Time Machine.
The Picture
This is a generally excellent high-bitrate HD master with strong colors. Detail is adequate, with better-than-average moments such as the fine texture of a character's jacket, although nothing appears to have been shot with a super-sharp focus. A thin layer of video noise can be noticed here and there across the 1.85:1 frame, but I'm not aware of any issues more serious than that.
The Sound
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is aggressive and thoughtfully crafted, with an enjoyable high-resolution presentation. The bass is certainly ample, giving the entire movie a fun energy. A knock on a door might be placed in an isolated speaker, while a crowd chanting or sudden lightning can come from all around us. The music, a seamless blend of '80s hits and original score, plays well in the home theater too.
The Extras
The bonus content is a little lean, frankly. The deleted scenes repeat much from the actual movie, and run about twelve minutes total. The only glimpses behind-the-scenes are four "Theatrical Promotional Spots" that were used to advertise the film months ago. These are all in high-definition. MGM/Fox has also included a second disc with a Digital Copy of the unrated Hot Tub Time Machine for iTunes and Windows Media.
Final Thoughts
Hot Tub Time Machine is goofily nostalgic for folks who lived through the 1980s, and a gleeful miseducation for Gen-Y-ers of legal age. Audio and video are solid, and while the extras might not be totally awesome, the multi-format Digital Copy at least can go wherever (and whenever) we go.
Product Details
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