Synopsis

Sisters - Blu-Ray Movie Review

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite for Sisters, a new film from Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore about two disconnected sisters summoned home to clean out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family house. Looking to recapture their glory days, they throw one final high-school-style party for their classmates, which turns into the cathartic rager that a bunch of ground-down adults really need.

Specifications
Sisters - Blu-Ray Movie Review
Disney Studios
1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
2015, Rated R, 1 hour 58 minutes
Starring: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Diane Wiest, James Brolin, Bobby Moynihan, John Cena, John Leguizamo
Directed by Jason MooreRating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:

Violence: Low
Sex: Suggestive but not depicted
Language: Profanity

Sisters - Blu-Ray Movie Review

Commentary

Note: This review is based on the Unrated Cut found on the Blu-Ray. You have the option to view this version or the original theatrical version which carries an R rating.

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Sisters pairs Saturday Night Live alumni Amy Poehler and Tina Fey once again, but this time as – wouldn’t you know it? – sisters Maura and Kate Ellis. The movie is primarily a vehicle for the duo to play off one another and generate some pretty good comedic scenes. Those who are already fans of their work will no doubt eat this up. The dynamic of a straight-laced, boring girl versus her more rambunctious, reckless elder sister provides lots of opportunity for laughs, as in the scene where they find their old diaries and take turns reading entries aloud. The jokes range from potty humor all the way to more intelligent witticisms throughout, giving the film appeal to a wide range of fans. Not to be left out, there are great performances by side characters, such as their parents, whom they walk in on during a lunchtime “engagement”, Dave, the town drunk who has no decency filter, and the token corny joke teller, Alex, who mistakenly believes he was snorting Truvia rather than the “Cloud Eight” concoction brought in by perhaps the man to steal the entire movie. He is none other than WWE wrestler John Cena – who plays Pazuzu, a very stern drug dealer called upon to supply the raucous party with “treats”. He delivers in spades especially in his interaction with Kate who is determined to seduce him before the night is out.

Sisters - Blu-Ray Movie Review

What is especially clever about the film is that it features two women who are trying to recapture their 1980s youth, while the film itself is structured very much like a classic 1980s comedy. The plot is pretty silly, but straightforward. The party montages and events seem to take much longer than could possibly occur in the established time frame (think Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). And the characters’ issues with themselves and each other are all resolved by the end despite what would normally require years of therapy (good old 1980s happy endings). It’s the perfect style for this type of comedy and these two comedians.

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Sisters is an ideal film to pop in for a good laugh and a light mood. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler deliver throughout – indeed – I found myself laughing out loud at several points throughout the evening. I will admit, I have been a fan of the two since their days as Weekend Update co-anchors on Saturday Night Live, so I was expecting to enjoy the film, which I certainly did.

Sisters - Blu-Ray Movie Review

Technical

The Blu-Ray transfer looks pretty good. There are several scenes that leverage color as a key element. In an attempt to exact a measure of revenge on the Ellis sisters, Brinda (Maya Rudolph), pours blue paint into the pool filtration system, thus turning the entire pool, and its occupants blue. The graffiti all over the home’s walls by the end of the party contrasts well with the otherwise sterile interior colors. The audio track is solid as well. The party gets a DJ shortly after commencing, and the deep bass of the dance mix put my subwoofers to work. While Sisters is not the sort of film with which you look to demo your system, all of the elements are there for a great presentation of the film.

Sisters - Blu-Ray Movie Review

Extras
  • Digital Copy of Sisters – Unrated Version (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.)
  • Includes UltraViolet (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.)
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Extended Scenes
  • Gag Reel
  • The Improvorama
  • How to Throw a Party
  • Grown-Up Parties Suck
  • The Alex Chronicles
  • The Kate and Pazuzu Chronicles
  • A Teen Movie…For Adults
  • The Original Sister
  • Pool Collapse VFX
  • Feature Commentary with Director Jason Moore, Star/Producer Tina Fey, Star/Executive Producer Amy Poehler, and Writer Paula Pell
  • Gag Reel