‘Envy’ Blu-Ray Review – Ben Stiller & Jack Black’s Darkly Comedic Look At The Path Not Taken

Tim (Ben Stiller) and his best friend Nick (Jack Black) always “share and share alike” until Tim turns down a chance to invest in Nick’s latest crazy invention. Now Nick is raking in millions while his buddy is green with Envy. Enter a cagey and conniving vagabond (Christopher Walken) who’s got a plan to turn the tables and steer a little profit for himself. Rachel Weisz and Amy Poehler also star in this hilariously dark comedy from acclaimed director Barry Levinson (Tin Men; Good Morning, Vietnam; Rain Man).

For thoughts on Envy, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: 

Video Quality

Envy debuts on Blu-Ray courtesy of Shout! Studios with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1 that is passable and a step up in quality from the ancient DVD from 20 years ago, yet we wish it could be better. There are no specific details available about the transfer, but this is pretty clearly derived from a dated master that shows persistent signs of age-related wear and tear. A fresh master would certainly freshen up the viewing experience, but most would probably argue the movie doesn’t warrant the expense. Even if we believe the transfer looks fairly clear and somewhat detailed, we would argue every movie deserves to look its best.

Specks of print damage are a common occurrence without being too invasive. The transfer smooths over much of its naturally filmic appearance to some degree which renders the potential detail overly soft in terms of the production design and costumes. Colors are one of the favorable aspects of the disc with natural hues saturating the screen. Black levels could stand to have more depth to help with detail, but we did not experience major crush or other artifacts. We know a 4K UHD release is never going to happen, but a Blu-Ray remaster would help things greatly. 

Audio Quality

Shout! Studios brings us this Blu-Ray with a lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that delivers everything it needs to without a hiccup. The environmental elements are defined consistently and given deft placement throughout the speakers. While not overly showy, the sounds of the world work with the score to bring additional life to the rear speakers. Dialogue comes through clearly without being swallowed up by the music or sound effects. The film features a few kinetic moments that engage the subwoofer to good effect, but it is not a standout in this regard. This track is a worthwhile one from the label. There are optional English SDH subtitles provided. 

Special Features

• Image Gallery: A collection of marketing materials, stills, and behind-the-scenes photos is provided. 

• TV Spot: A 17-second TV Spot is provided. 

• Theatrical Trailer: The minute-and-a-half-long trailer is provided. 

Final Thoughts

Envy does not have the greatest reputation, but it is a movie that holds more amusement than many give it credit for. It is not a top-tier outing for Jack Black or Ben Stiller, but it has a darkly comedic edge that elicits more than a few laughs as it explores the complex swirl of emotions at play. One of the greatest failings of the film is in the material that is given to the women in the cast, as the content is usually either underdeveloped or groan-inducingly dated. Christopher Walken fares much better as the MVP of the film, playing the type of spaced-out kook that became his bread and butter for a stretch. It is not a classic, but it might be worth a look if you like the ensemble and bad reviews have been keeping you away. Shout! Studios has released a new Blu-Ray that sports a passable A/V presentation and a sparse array of supplemental features. 

Envy is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Shout! Studios has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.