Plot: What’s it about?
Viola (Amanda Bynes) feels like she is one of the best soccer players around, but is held back from proving just how talented she is. She is the top player for the Cornwall Prep girls soccer squad, but she wants to show she can hold her own with the guys as well. But when she makes her intentions known, she is scorned and left to only strut her stuff as part of the female squad. Soon however, she decides to take drastic measures to prove she can handle herself on the field, no matter who opposes her. Her twin brother Sebastian (James Kirk) is going to sneak off to London for a couple weeks and of course, wants no one to know he is gone. This opens a window that is a long shot, but any chance, no matter how remote, is one that Viola is willing to take. She decides to take her brother’s place at his school Illryia Prep. They are twins after all, so with a few tucks here and snips here, she should be able to pass as her brother, right? Once she is inside the school, she tries out for the soccer team and plans to prove how good she can be. But will her outlandish plot work and even if it does, will she encounter some unexpected bumps in the road?
Ok, so the main reason I wanted to see She’s the Man was my love of Just One of the Guys, another high school “girl dresses as dude” scenario. Of course, I knew She’s the Man could never live up to that classic, but I hoped for the best. Plus Amanda Bynes is a hottie, so if nothing else, some nice eye candy would on showcase, right? As expected, the premise is thin and hard to believe, but if you shut your brain off, it is fun to watch Bynes go through the motions. In the end, she is the main reason to watch She’s the Man, as she is adorable and really comes off well here. Bynes is very likable here and while the material comes up short, her presence and sunny persona are enough to keep us interested. And this movie is all about cute, so her performance shines and she is the driving force behind She’s the Man. The rest of the cast is passable, but only David Cross’ manic effort stands out, so Bynes runs the show. This is light, brisk entertainment that never tries to be anything else, so while not remarkable, this is a fun movie. I haven’t too many family films this year that are tolerable, but She’s the Man is one that is well recommended. The movie is rated PG-13, but this is safe for younger viewers and of course, teens will probably be the most entertained.
Video: How does it look?
She’s the Man is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. I’ve never been disappointed with a Dreamworks transfer and this one is no exception. The image is clean and bright, just as it should be for such a new release. This is a brisk comedy and it shows even in the visuals, which are bright and colorful, very fun visuals throughout. The colors look terrific, very vivid and within a natural scope, while contrast levels prove to be stark and consistent as well. The print is in great condition, as well it should be and on the whole, this is a very crisp and well detailed presentation. Of course, some of us have been spoiled by high definition, but for standard DVD, this transfer looks excellent.
Audio: How does it sound?
The soundtrack here is just what you’d expect from a recent teen comedy, basic overall sound design, with an emphasis on the musical soundtrack. The music provides the bulk of the power here, so the surrounds fill the room with the tunes, but little else. But this is a dialogue driven comedy, so the lack of raw power doesn’t hamper the experience in the least. The few scenes that would benefit from a little more atmosphere, such as the sports sequences, have that needed boost. I found dialogue to be clean and clear at all times and in this case, that is the most crucial element. This disc also includes a 2.0 surround option, Spanish and French language tracks.
Supplements: What are the extras?
An audio commentary with not only director Andy Fickman, but also Amanda Bynes and other cast members, so there is rarely a dull moment. The result is a talkative, often more than one person at a time, but jumbled session. Some decent stories are told, but there is also a lot of narration and undue back patting, which I dislike. There’s also a cool pop up trivia option, as well as a look at how Bynes was transformed into her male counterpart, which was kind of neat. This disc also includes some deleted scenes, a reel of outtakes, cast photo album, and a music video.
