Project-Blu 'Whip It' Blu-ray Review, By Nate Boss

Whip It

By: Nate Boss, 2.1.2010

The Movie Itself:
Let me tell you something: my years in the roller derby were nothing like...ah, shit, nevermind, scratch that.

Really, I can't rollerskate. At all. I haven't hurt myself trying, unlike one of my old close friends who slammed into a wall and broke off a tooth, or a customer (who actually was on a roller derby team), who tore an ACL. My problem is height. At a hair under 6'5", my center of gravity just makes me feel awkward as hell on wheels, standing up somewhat straight particularly. It's probably the only reason I haven't ever done ice skating, besides the urge to try to kick someone with the blade. Anyways....

Roller Derby!!!! With all the sports films out there, including the recent focus on the more obscure competitions, in my opinion there really had never been a GOOD roller derby film. Rollerball (Caan) doesn't count, so much, as it is a twist on the sport, while Rollerball (Klein) is best left to hold up uneven tables (try the VHS if you have a serious gap). Sure, there are others, but they're about as memorable as a TV dinner. So bring on Whip It, a modern bucking of formulaic sports movies in the form of a formulaic sports movie. What?

Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) is a beauty queen of sorts, playing the part of contestant in random pageants her mother (Marcia Gay Harden) puts her in. But it just isn't isn't bliss for Bliss. One peek at the world of Roller Derby opens her eyes to new possibilities. Now Bliss is lying about her age to play, and lying to her family on where she's spending her time. Awkward and timid at first, Baby Ruthless, her rink moniker, turns out to be quite the killer, a mix of speed and ferocious bitch that is all heart, who singlehandedly turns her team's fortunes around. What would this film be without conflict, though? Man trouble, best friend trouble, family trouble, work trouble, you name it. Bliss is getting a crash course in life, how sometimes one has to put up, shut up, and swallow it with pride, but her rebellious friends are unknowingly giving her an out from all her problems. With the league championship game approaching, it will be serious soul searching time for the entire Cavendar family, on what the real meaning of family is, and what one's destiny is: predetermined, or that of choice.

Thank you, all mighty random deity (of your choosing), for not allowing Diablo Cody within 300 miles of this film. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Most movie goers will recognize Page these days, but, sadly, mostly for her work in the epic shitfest put out by Hollywood's least talented writer. They see Page, and they instantly now think of Cody's self-serving world of linguistic buttfucking. I've honestly enjoyed her work from the moment I saw her (yes, before Juno...), even if she hasn't yet spread her wings. Who knows, this may be her spreading her wings. Still, Page is enjoyable, believable, and somewhat perfect in her role, playing the rebellious youth, bucking the system forced upon her (parents, take note. Push too hard, and this does happen...), riding to the beat of her own drum...skates. Whatever.

Whip It, surprisingly, may be remembered as much for the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore. I'll admit, I wasn't shocked. Barrymore has been spreading her own wings in the business as of late, as was shown by her involvement in He's Just Not That Into You. Her first time as the shot caller is helped by a solid story with a SUPERB cast, but her inexperience at the role is obvious. In addition to acting (and skating), the gorgeous dame put together a film that is a hair lopsided, with too little world created around the main character, in addition to having made a film that is lopsided in its pace. Everyone starts somewhere, though.

The highlight of Whip It isn't Page, despite how fantastic she is, and almost always is. It's the supporting cast. Barrymore is fun, Alia Shawkat (as Pash) keeps the film grounded in the real world of work, work, work, Gay Harden is superb, playing the role she always does (the woman who we LOVE to HATE, the opposing, logical force), while Daniel Stern (Home Alone) is solid as the more reasonable, reachable parent figure. The roller girls are where the heart of the film lies, though, with Zoe Bell, Kristen Wiig, Eve, Juliette Lewis, and Ari Graynor all playing the roles of the tough girls fantastically, and more importantly, believably. Jimmy Fallon (also known as Jimmy Fucking Fallon in my heart, for his penchant to ruin a good film) doesn't ruin this trip around the rink, though he hardly is enjoyable, while Andrew Wilson is a bit aggravating in his portrayal of coach Razor, who has to be the least manly character in the entire film, and I'm including the girls.

The sports cliches are sometimes on display with Whip It, but not to the point that they ruin the film. If anything, the sports take a backseat to the coming of age tale, which is a mix of budding responsibilities and decisions and trying to find one's place in the world. The skating action is certainly enjoyable, but there actually is a story (gasp!) behind it, surrounding it, and enveloping it. In other words, this film actually is fleshed out, and already has me wanting to see it again. That's the mark of a good film, making a viewer want to rewatch it in under 24 hours. Success, Whip It, success.
Rating: 8/10

The Presentation:
Whip It whips some serious ass in the video department on Blu-ray, with an AVC MPEG-4 in the 2.40:1 ratio.

Colors are striking, though often more because they're gritty than sensational and vibrant. There's great range, particularly in the Hurl's green outfits of varying color. Whites are natural, never blown out or noisy. Noise is sometimes an issue, but it isn't the biggest negative to be found in this transfer. Black levels are varying, mostly deep, but occasionally crushy. Skin tones are natural though out, with only the occasional orange tint. The biggest issues in this transfer are two fold, first, with the random odd series of shots that seemed to have a bit of telecine wobble, and second, there's array of softer shots that stand out harshly. Overall, the transfer is commendable, at the very least.

"Let's go apeshit!!!"

The audio for Whip It is featured by way of a nice DTS-HD Master Audio mix. It's got its fair share of problems, though, and honestly let me down on a few occasions. Geez, it's like an ex-girlfriend or something...

Anyways, dialogue is sparkling, free from pop, or weird off pitches. There's no real audio issues in terms of fidelity, though it isn't exactly the most dynamically muscular track I've heard even this week. Rears get a nice random assortment of noise, from music to atmosphere, but I honestly can't say I was truly immersed by the soundstage. The film can get loud when it wants, and pitch quiet at other times, so it has that going for it, as well as some random bass that had me bumping along with my subwoofer's thumping. The (trendy) soundtrack sometimes failed to wow me, with some very soft sounds countering the more bombastic mixes. It's somewhat two toned, and a hair less than riveting, and certainly a taco short of a full platter, but this track still passes, for getting the noise out there clearly.
Rating: 8/10 (video score: 8.5/10, audio score: 8.1/10)

The Extras:
Deleted Scenes

Fox Movie Channel Presents Writer's Draft: Shauna Cross of Whip It

Whip It Soundtrack Spot

PMT- Amelia, Fame (remake), (500) Days of Summer, and an AFI promo

Digital Copy
Rating: 3/10

Overall:
Fun fact: Whippits is a term used for those who would get high on the nitrous oxide that comes out of a bottle of whipped cream.

Whip It doesn't once even mention Devo. Any film named Whip It that can avoid that pratfall gets an instant boost in my book. While it isn't exactly original, and was beyond predictable for me, that didn't mean I didn't enjoy the ride. Whip It has a great lesson and meaning, hidden beneath a fun story and great characters that someone can relate to, somewhere. Be your own hero, but first, buy your own copy, and be thankful you did.
Rating: 7/10