Keanu – Blu-Ray Movie Review

Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, a.k.a. the hugely popular comedy duo Key & Peele, star as Clarence and Rell, two cousins who live in the city but are far from streetwise. When Rell’s beloved kitten, Keanu, is catnapped, the hopelessly straight-laced pair must impersonate ruthless killers in order to infiltrate a street gang and retrieve the purloined feline. But the incredibly adorable kitten becomes so coveted that the fight over his custody creates a gang war, forcing our two unwitting heroes to take the law into their own hands.

Specifications

New Line Cinema/Warner Home Video
1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
2016, Rated R, 1 hour, 40 minutes
Starring: Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Jason Mitchell, Luis Guzmán, Will Forte, Nia Long
Directed by: Peter Atencio

Rating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: Moderate
Sex: None
Language: Adult

I’ll start out by saying I am not a regular Key & Peele watcher. Prior to viewing Keanu, I had seen their hilarious sketch on NFL player introductions, and that was about it. I say this because usually when a comedian or troupe of comedians translate their craft from TV to Big Screen, it takes a certain amount of prior understanding of their style to appreciate their films. That being said, I sat down to watch with an open mind.

The film opens with a violent confrontation in which the Allentown Brothers (also played by Key and Peele) shoot up a drug manufacturing operation. As they are set to dispose of the last gang member, they find a small, adorable kitten who subsequently runs away. Across the city, one of our protagonists, Rell is in miserable shape having just broken up with his girlfriend.

When the kitten suddenly shows up at his doorstep, he finds the companion he desperately needs after the traumatic separation. However, when a local gang comes looking for their neighbor Hulka and instead ransacks his apartment and takes his newfound companion – hilarity ensues. Teaming up with his cousin Clarence, the two track down the gang and pose as the aforementioned Allentown Brothers in order to win back Keanu.

It’s a relatively simple story, but it actually works very well. At first I was not sure I would enjoy the film as the premise didn’t capture my interest, however, when Clarence first surprises us by acting hard in front of the gang, I was instantly hooked. As the movie progresses you wonder if the pair will ever crack and not be able to keep up the façade, but every time you think it may be the end, they dig that much deeper and keep the show going. Perhaps the craziest, but one of the funniest parts of the movie is when Clarence (aka Shark Tank) teaches the young gang bangers about George Michael’s Faith Album in the getaway car while Rell (aka Tectonic) is watching in horror as a completely drug-crazed Anna Faris (yes that Anna Faris) is apparently murdered by his female cohort. I may have already revealed too much, but at least you get a taste of what kind of craziness occurs. It had me laughing out loud. This gives you a good idea of what the film is like. Lots of crazy yet humorous scenes that wrap up into an enjoyable movie.

The film is presented in it theatrical 2.40:1 wide screen format. While the movie isn’t really eye candy, the transfer is crisp and detailed. The audio track, on the other hand, does offer some excellent detail. The opening scene with the Allentown Brothers is almost Matrix-like in the way sound and visuals are used, and it works well. There is great use of the subwoofer channel giving a visceral experience during the violent shoot out. The same can be said of the previously mentioned scene at Anna Faris’s house – great use of surround and subwoofer channels.

Keanu is a fun movie that is sure to provide an entertaining experience. The performances of Key & Peele, Will Forte, and even Method Man are sure to generate laughter amongst the audience. I can certainly recommend it for anyone in the mood for a light yet crazy comedy.

• Featurette: Keanu: My First Movie
• Gag Reel
• Deleted Scenes
• Digital Copy included