Blu-ray Review: Take Trip Off the Grid with Funny ‘Wanderlust’

Submitted by BrianTT on July 3, 2012 - 2:18pm

CHICAGO – David Wain’s “Wanderlust” got screwed by Universal. There’s no reason that a movie this generally funny, smart, and enjoyable should only make just over $20 million worldwide. It’s the kind of solid comedy that is guaranteed a wider audience on Blu-ray and DVD. And the Universal Blu-ray is a strong enough one to help deserved word-of-mouth grow.

As much as I like “Wanderlust” (short version of my review is that it’s very funny and contains one of Paul Rudd’s best performances but Jennifer Aniston’s female lead is woefully underwritten…long version is here), the draw of the Universal Blu-ray, what’s advertised all over the cover is the “Bizarro Cut,” an alternate version of the movie that’s really kind of a waste of time. Wain and Ken Marino intro the cut as another full version of the flick but it’s not really. It doesn’t have the plot. It’s really just a series of deleted scenes and alternate takes in chronological order and is essentially un-watchable.

However, the gag reel and actual line-o-rama are pretty hysterical. Some of the alternate, improvised lines are funnier than the entirety of some Hollywood comedies (I’m looking at you “A Thousand Words.”) A majority of the film was clearly improvised and so watching these talented actors doing what they do so well adds to the fun of the overall film. And Universal’s Blu-ray transfers are some of the best on the market. I wish Wain, Marino, and Rudd had done an audio commentary but it’s a minor complaint for a film that deserved a more major audience.

Wanderlust was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 19, 2012
Photo credit: Universal

Synopsis:
Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston star in this laugh-out-loud comedy about leaving it all behind. After George (Rudd) loses his high-stress Manhattan job, he and his wife, Linda (Aniston), hit the road and wind up crashing at Elysium, a free-spirited community of hippies, tree-huggers and the occasional nudist. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast including Justin Theroux, Malin Akerman and Alan Alda, Wanderlust has “more laughs than I’ve had at the movies in a very long time.” (Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer)

Special Features:
o Wanderlust: The Bizarro Cut! - Check Out An Alternate Version Of The Film With Different Jokes In Every Scene!
o God Afton! Behind The Scenes Of Wanderlust
o Wainy Says: Elysium - See The Cast In this Exclusive Episode From The Hit Web Series
o Gag Reel
o Line-O-Rama

“Wanderlust” stars Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Alan Alda, Malin Akerman, Ken Marino, Joe Lo Truglio, Kathryn Hahn, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Lauren Ambrose, Michaela Watkins, and Jordan Peele. It was written by David Wain & Marino and directed by Wain. It is rated R and was released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 19, 2012.