Plot: What’s it about?
Adam Sandler’s movies have encompassed just about everything we can imagine, ranging from Airheads to Punch Drunk Love and from Happy Gilmore to Little Nicky. Yes, he’s had his share of hits and misses, but he’s also proven that he can stand the test of time. Early in his career, he chose a more juvenile route with offerings showcasing his more “childish” side. But, as Sandler started to mature, so did his films. He started making movies with a little more heart. And he did show the world that he could actually act with a few dramatic choices. Who knew? Sandler’s efforts of the mid 00’s certainly had a different vibe with offerings like 50 First Dates and Bedtime Stories. However, Click reunites him with Frank Coraci, who directed him in The Wedding Singer and The Waterboy. Sandler plays a family man trying to get ahead in corporate America, but it’s easier said than done. Or is it?
Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) is an up and coming architect desperately trying to make partner in his firm. His domineering boss Ammer (David Hasselhoff) keeps dangling a partnership in front of him, but no matter what Michael does, it’s just not enough to get what he desires. Michael’s also sacrificing his family life so that he can attain partner and provide for his wife (Kate Beckinsale) and children. In an effort to simplify his life, he heads out to get a universal remote control so that he can, at the very least, turn on the television. Venturing to Bed, Bath and Beyond (one of many product placements you’ll find in any Adam Sandler movie), he ventures far past the “Beyond” section where he meets Morty (Christopher Walken) who gives him just what he wants – a universal remote control. It’s not long after he gets this gadget that it’s no ordinary control, he can mute the dog, fast forward through arguments with his wife and even skip the morning commute to work. This, of course, all comes with a price as the remote starts to learn his behavior and starts automatically fast-forwarding. Michael wants so bad to advance, that he literally forwards through months of his life until it happens. However, by the time this happens his marriage is on the rocks and he has to decide what really matters in his life: his family or his career.
I was pretty impressed with Click, the previews made it out to be more of a comedy and it does have some classic Sandler moments. However, it delivers some pretty interesting scenarios as well. I feel it’s kind of like It’s a Wonderful Life in that Michael gets the opportunity to see how his actions have affected those around him. There are several lessons to be learned as well: do you take the easy way out or do you stick it out and work through the discomfort? As we all know, life’s about the journey and not the destination – someone just forgot to tell this to Michael Newman. I do have to comment on the casting of Kate Beckinsale, a great (and beautiful) actress; I could see many other women in her part. I was kind of hoping and expecting to see Drew Barrymore, as she and Sandler have worked together before and the two seem to have great chemistry. It’s of consequence though, the movie works regardless. Click delivers here and shows that Adam Sandler movies don’t have to be mindless fodder – some can actually have heart.
Video: How does it look?
This was an early title released on the then “new” Blu-ray format. Flash forward two decades and we’ve got this in 4K sporting a new restoration and with it comes the benefits of technology. Ironic, considering the film’s message, but I digress…The 1.85:1 HEVC 4K image manages to clean up everything that was wrong with the previously-released MPEG-2 transfer. Colors have more pop, detail has been improved and the film now has a more glossy, film-like appearance. This is nothing new to us, of course, as we’ve seen what a new 4K image can do to older films and even those, like this, that aren’t that “old.” Those wanting to see this film in all its 2160 glory need look no further.
Audio: How does it sound?
The film’s previous uncompressed PCM track wasn’t really bad by any means, but we’ve got a full on Dolby Atmos mix with this new offering. I found dialogue very natural and the majority of the movie takes place in the front stage. Surrounds aren’t used a whole lot, but do kick in to offer some added ambiance from time to time. I seem to remember the scenes that are “fast forwarded” having some pretty impressive audio associated with them. And that’s it. While not an audio-heavy movie it does deliver a good and decent-sounding track.
Supplements: What are the extras?
All of the supplements from the previoulsy-released Blu-ray have made the leap and we’ve even got a new feature…a theatrical trailer. Yay?
- Audio Commentary – This features Sandler, Director Frank Coraci, Writer Steve Koren, and Executive Producer Tim Herlihy. There’s nothing too serious here, manily some comments on the film, the shoot and some of the flubs that were deliberately placed in the movie. It won’t be for everyone, but better to have than not.
- Deleted Scenes – A quartet, running just a few minutes. Nothing mind-blowing here.
- Make Me Old and Fat – This takes a look at the Oscar-nominated (yes, really) makeup which ultimately lost the much more deserving Pan’s Labynrith.
- FX of Click – Pretty self-explanatory. We get a look at some of the visual effects used in the movie.
- Design My Universe – Along the same lines, we get a peek at the production and set design.
- Cars of the Future – If you’ve ever wondered what cars were supposed to look like with regard to this film, here ya go.
- Humping Dogs – Can’t get enough? You might have problems. But we’ve got a feature that’s dedicated to one of the film’s running jokes.
- Director’s Take – The cast and crew laud praise on the film’s director.
- Fine Cookin’ – Sandler in his fat suit eating. Need I say more?
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
There’s a more mature premise at play with this one. It somewhat ended Sandler’s sophomoric string of films and put him in a new light. And, when you think about it, it really does put things in perspective with regard to what’s important in life: career or family? Sony’s disc gives us a sparkling picture with a new Dolby Atmos track as well as the usual array of supplements. Oh and we have a theatrical trailer now, which is nice. I guess.
