This Means War [DVD] [2012]

FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are covert CIA operatives and best buddies... until they both fall for charming and sexy Lauren (Reese Witherspoon). Their friendship is put to the ultimate test as they wage an epic battle for her affection, using their surveillance skills and an array of high-tech gadgetry - may the best spy win!

Who knows why a movie, even a small independent one, with a big star and generally good buzz from the critics, did so little box office. Home video might just be the place for this little film to get noticed. As for the DVD, credit goes to Fox for including both 1.85:1 anamorphic and full-frame transfers, but it's amazing that the image from a major studio is so substandard. Granted, the film's low budget could be part of the problem, but not all elements of the visual image are faulty. The prime problem is the blacks, which have more of a blue look, and no density at all. Colors are generally realistic, but the darker parts of the picture simply look bad. In this day and age when transfers are looking photo realistic, this one just doesn't stand up. The sound, which is a 5.1 English Dolby Digital track, is certainly good enough for a smaller, independent film. In other words, don't expect too much. Dialogue is clear, which is all important. The lack of any surrounds really isn't a surprise, and certainly doesn't hurt the overall DVD experience. Making up for the horrendous transfer are some decent supplemental features. On both sides of this disc are commentaries from director Miguel Arteta and writer Mike White and one from actress Jennifer Aniston. Neither tracks are all that impressive, especially Aniston's as she only shows up now and then throughout the film. On the widescreen side are nine deleted scenes with optional commentary from Arteta and White and a slightly different ending montage, while on the full-frame side is a gag reel that is quite funny. Missing is the standard theatrical trailer, but otherwise, not too bad of a package.