Actors: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Demian Bichir, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport
Directors: Paul Feig
Rated: R (Restricted) / Unrated
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: October 15, 2013
Run Time: 117 / 120 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars
When I first saw a trailer for the “The Heat”, I thought it looked alright but I wasn’t planning to run out and see it first weekend. Then the positive responses starting coming out and people were calling this “The Funniest Movie of the Year”. I thought that McCarthy had run her course and was starting to get on my nerves but that thought was quickly debunked about her role in “Identity Thief”. So I gave in and watched “The Heat” and it was quite funny, in fact very funny, but it is also a felt just a little too predictable for me to make it perfect. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy are epic together though. I love the female team-up and these each play so well off each other. Definitely worth checking out and get ready to laugh!
Official Premise: Oscar Winner Sandra Bullock and Oscar Nominee Melissa McCarthy team up in this outrageously funny comedy from the director of Bridesmaids, Paul Feig. Uptight FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Bullock) and foul-mouthed Boston cop Shannon Mullins (McCarthy) couldn’t be more incompatible. But when they join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected…buddies.
Fox delivered “The Heat” as a combo pack included Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD copy. The Blu-ray contains two cuts of the film as well. The theatrical cut runs 117 minutes, while the unrated clocks in at 120 minutes. So there is nothing to get terribly excited about if you don’t watching in the extended cut. I was just happy the film was rated R to being with since they were able to make it edgier and that let to funnier moments. The 1080p transfer presented in an 2.40:1 aspect ratio works with the films mix of action/comedy. The same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, which is very effective with not only the dialogue but also the action.
The special features are quite impressive and contain a lot of good short features. We start with “Welcome to the Bonus Features”, which features Paul Feig enjoying a good fart joke. Next up, we have eight featurettes, which include a funny intro from Feig. “Mullins Family Fun” included about ten minutes of deleted scenes involving Shannon’s family. “Acting Master Class” features the cast engaging in funny jokes. “Let’s Get Physical” are more bloopers, same goes for “Von Bloopers”. “Police Brutality” and “Supporting Cast Cavalcade” are more outtakes. Rounding out is “Over and Out” is Feig closing out with yet another fart joke. If all those outtakes and gag reels weren’t enough there is still more in “All the Stuff We Had to Take Out but Still Think is Funny”, which includes more Deleted Scenes, Extended Scenes and Alternate Scenes. “How The Heat Was Made” is a great (and only) behind-the-scenes featurette.
There are four commentary track included. The first with with Paul Feig and is only available on the Unrated Version of the film but it is a blast and very funny as well. The next track is with Melissa McCarthy, Paul Feig, Katie Dippold, Mike McDonald, Adam Ray, Jesse Henderson. Again this one is a laugh riot and this one though is only available on the Theatrical Version. The next track features “Some of the Mullins Family” and Feig, also only available on the Theatrical Version. Lastly is a track featuring the original lineup from “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, which is the best since I love MST3K and it was great to have the gang together. This was very clever and I have to give the team kudos for coming up with it.