We're the Millers

'We're the Millers' shines on Blu-ray, boasting a visually stellar 1080p/AVC-encoded presentation that highlights the film's humorous and adventurous spirit. Filmed using Arri Alexa cameras and showcased in a wide 2.40:1 aspect ratio, this transfer ensures that viewers are treated to a cinematic experience that remains true to its theatrical quality. The colors throughout are warm and engaging, a nod to the film's sunny locales, while skintones appear natural and well-saturated, a feature that stands out even more thanks to the predominantly sun-bleached environments. The video is devoid of common digital pitfalls such as banding, artifacting, or aliasing, showcasing a clean, detailed image that fans are sure to appreciate.

Detail in the video transfer is particularly noteworthy, with textures and clean edges being vividly resolved, adding a layer of depth to each scene. Black levels are impressively deep without losing detail to murkiness, even in the darkest nighttime scenes, ensuring that the film maintains its visual integrity across a variety of lighting conditions. The strong and consistent contrast further enhances the visual experience, ensuring that every frame is as dynamic and engaging as intended by the filmmakers.

Warners' AVC MPEG-4 encode handles the digital source material with care, avoiding any glitches that could detract from the viewing experience. Given the film's narrative journey through Mexican and Southern U.S. settings, the color palette leans on the warmer side, yet it skilfully avoids oversaturation, maintaining a balance that is pleasing to the eye. Overall, the Blu-ray presentation of 'We're the Millers' is exemplary, demonstrating a proficient encode that captures both the comedy and the vibrancy of this entertaining road trip escapade.

Warner Bros.' release of "We're the Millers" on Blu-ray features an immaculate DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, a testament to the studio's prowess in providing a top-notch auditory experience, particularly for a film that, at its core, is propelled by its sharp, engaging dialogue. The audio mix masterfully handles the ebb and flow of conversations, ensuring that every word is clear and prioritized without losing the essence of the action-packed sequences that punctuate the film’s comedic narrative. Challenges arise with some noticeable Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR) discrepancies, slightly more pronounced in the extended cut than in the theatrical release, which slightly mars an otherwise stellar audio presentation. The LFE channel delivers when called upon, adding depth to the soundtrack, though the low frequencies are used sparingly throughout.

The soundscape of "We're the Millers" benefits from a well-executed balance between the front and rear channels, creating a lively yet controlled environment that complements the on-screen antics. Despite the commendable clarity and fidelity of the dialogue, there is a minor imbalance issue where the vocal levels sometimes seem recessed compared to the music and sound effects, a detail that's somewhat atypical for Warner Bros releases. This minor quibble aside, the dynamic range is impressive, providing an immersive experience with moments of appreciable directionality that pull the viewer into the chaos of the Millers' journey. The inclusion of 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks in Spanish, French, and Portuguese for the theatrical version only, along with subtitles in multiple languages, ensures accessibility to a wider audience.

Overall, while grappling with minor issues related to ADR and audio balance, the Blu-ray’s audio presentation of "We're the Millers" showcases a careful consideration of auditory dynamics and spatial distribution. It adeptly complements the film’s comedic elements with sporadic bursts of action, ensuring that this audio track significantly enhances the viewing experience without overtaking the story’s heart—its dialogue.

The "We're the Millers" Blu-ray extras deliver a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look into the making of this comedy hit, offering both theatrical and extended director's cuts, with the latter extending the runtime to 119 minutes. Viewers are treated to a rich assortment of special features that dive into various production aspects. The centerpiece, Stories from the Road, comprises seven vignettes providing insights into character makeovers, improvisational hijinks, and the challenges of shooting on the road. Millers Unleashed - Outtakes Overload and Gags & More Outtakes reveal the cast's chemistry through improvised scenes and bloopers, whereas Livin' It Up with Brad and When Paranoia Sets In focus more narrowly on character studies and plot nuances. Deleted scenes offer extended narratives and alternatives to the theatrical release. Additionally, the Blu-ray/DVD/UltraViolet combo pack ensures the film can be enjoyed across multiple platforms, though the digital copy comes with device restrictions.

Extras included in this disc:

• Extended Cut: Two versions including a director’s preferred 119-minute cut.
• Stories from the Road: A collection of featurettes diving into character and set designs.
• Millers Unleashed - Outtakes Overload: A look at casting and improvisation on set.
• Livin' It Up with Brad: Focused character study on Ed Helms' role.
• When Paranoia Sets In: A comedic short on smuggling plot points.
• Deleted Scenes: Extensive collection of eight scenes not included in the final cut.
• Gags & More Outtakes: Compilation of ad-libs and bloopers.
• Blu-ray/DVD/UltraViolet Combo Pack Contents: Offers flexible viewing options across devices, with a note on digital copy compatibility.

We're the Millers," directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, presents a raucous blend of comedy and crime caper, with a core idea that cleverly subverts traditional family values through a drug smuggling escapade. This film rides on the back of Jason Sudeikis's David Clark, a pot dealer who, after being robbed, enlists a faux family to smuggle a "small shipment" of marijuana from Mexico to clear his debt. The crew—comprising stripper Rose (Jennifer Aniston), teen runaway Casey (Emma Roberts), and the naïve Kenny (Will Poulter)—masquerades as the quintessential Midwestern tourists, inadvertently embarking on a journey rife with unexpected challenges and quirky adversaries.

The movie's humor oscillates between outright raunchiness and surprisingly tender moments, largely due to the dynamic interplay among its lead characters. Much of the comedy mines the absurdity of their situation and the bizarre encounters they face, including dealing with a larger-than-anticipated cargo and evading both law enforcement and drug lords. Notably, performances by Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn add a substantial layer of hilarity and heart, elevating the tale beyond its crude gags and into a realm of effective satire. Despite its reliance on improvisation—a risk that pays off in allowing the actors' genuine chemistry to shine through—some sketches feel disjointed, highlighting the film's struggle to maintain a cohesive narrative flow.

"We're the Millers" engages in a tightrope walk between edgy, adult-oriented comedy and moments of unexpected warmth, achieving a unique place within its genre despite not always hitting its mark. The extended cut introduces additional layers to an already complex story, sometimes at the expense of pacing. The ensemble cast, particularly Aniston, steps outside their typical roles, bringing depth to what could have easily been caricatures. While elements of its humor might not resonate equally across all audiences, the film provides a refreshing if somewhat nostalgic take, echoing earlier eras of comedic cinema while attempting to push the boundaries of contemporary crassness.

We're the Millers" emerges as a noteworthy entrant in the crowded field of raunchy comedies, distinguished by the dynamic synergy among its lead actors. Jason Sudeikis leads with vigor, albeit within the constraints of a script that seldom realizes the full potential of its premise. The film veers towards the unpredictable, with direction that leans heavily on the improvisational skills of its cast, leading to a journey that is as erratic as it is amusing. Despite its inconsistencies, the film secures its charm through a blend of crass humor and unexpected warmth, positioning itself as an unconventional family comedy reminiscent of the beloved Griswolds.

Warner's Blu-ray release of "We're the Millers" excels in technical execution, boasting a superb video presentation complemented by a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. The inclusion of a decent array of special features further enriches the home viewing experience, making it an enticing option for a casual movie night. The Blu-ray elevates the film, offering an audiovisual treat that significantly enhances its overall appeal.

In conclusion, while "We're the Millers" navigates through its comedic escapades with a mix of hit-and-miss humor, its strengths lie in the undeniable chemistry among its leads and its high-quality home release. The film may not redefine the genre, but it stands as a solid choice for those seeking a blend of laughs and heart. Whether as a rental for a rainy evening or a permanent addition to one's collection, this Blu-ray release warrants consideration from fans and newcomers alike, offering ample entertainment value despite its narrative shortcomings.