Reviewed by Johnny McNair

Weinstein Company – 101 minutes – 2008 – Rated R – 1080p Widescreen 1.85:1 – Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Audio

Kevin Smith has a built in audience, and even though it’s a small one, it’s enough to keep him in the film industry. He’s been making films for over a decade, and just when you think he’s going to grow as an artist, he keeps returning to safer ground and not taking any risk to broaden his audience. His latest film, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is nothing more than a Clerks movie with a new coat of paint. And that’s fine, because that what Kevin Smith’s fans want to see. Zack and Miri Make a Porno is now available on Blu-ray from the Weinstein Company.

THE MOVIE

Zack and Miri, played by Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks are best friends from the days of grade school who now live together as roommates, but have never crossed the line to take their relationship into the bedroom. Being that they are both in heavy debt, not even having electricity in their home, after going to their high school reunion they come up with an idea that may save them. They decide to shoot an amateur porn movie staring themselves, hoping that everyone from their high school class would buy it, giving them enough cash to get back on their feet.

With the help of their friends and a low rent group of porn star wannabees, they attempt to turn there idea into a reality. The only obstacle in their way is their love for one another, and through trial and error they realize that this film is actually just an excuse for them to finally get to do the nasty with each other after years of holding out.

Zack and Miri has an interesting supporting cast, which includes Kevin Smith’s on screen partner Jason Mewes, up and coming funny man Craig Robinson, one time Superman Brandon Routh, and an hysterical cameo by Justin Long as a gay porn star. To add legitimacy to the porn element, a couple of real names in the biz have roles such as Katie Morgan, and a woman who can’t separate herself from the industry no matter how much she tries, Tracy Lords.

As you would imagine with most Kevin Smith film, this is a relationship movie and even a date movie, but instead of you’re typical Julia Roberts’ flick approach, Zack and Miri is filled with vulgar jokes and scenarios, and when it works you will laugh, but then there are times when you’ll wonder what Smith was thinking. Seth Rogen is starting to show that he can only play one type of character, because there really is very little difference here from the guy he played in Knocked Up. Elizabeth (who oddly played first lady Laura Bush in W.) is trying to make the best of her performance, but looks as if she’s stumbling with the material.

Overall, whether or not you like Zack and Miri Make a Porno depends on who you are. If you a fan of Smith’s you’re going to love it; if you’re looking for something that fits the molding of a Judd Apatow film, it’s not as intelligent, and aims more for the dick joke than attempting to offer more. Kevin Smith needs to try something different in the future, because eventually his Clerk’s audience will get their fix somewhere else.

VIDEO

Zack and Miri looks good on Blu-ray, offering a full 1080p image in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Colors and skin tones are solid and because the entire film is shot in controlled environments, the image does not suffer from heavy grain from dark scenes. It’s not show off material, but it does the job.

AUDIO

With a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound mix, Zack and Miri won’t blow you away, but it’s acceptable. The film is dialogue heavy and everything sounds clear, but there are moments that character’s exchange appeared to be muffled. Nothing fancy, just exactly what you would expect.

EXTRAS

This Blu-ray actually has a solid amount of extras that make this disc worth owning if you liked the film. There’s no director’s commentary, but you won’t need it because Popcorn Porn tells you all you need to know.

Popcorn Porn: The Making of Zack and Miri runs about 75 minutes and brings you behind the scenes of the production, from its origins, casting, shooting, and post. Smith’s fans will appreciate this documentary over all the other bonus features.

The 22 Webisodes that were shown on Kevin Smith’s website during the making of the film are all here in one collection.

There’s a huge list of deleted scenes, and unlike most throw-a-way scenes you’ll watch on most Blu-rays, some of these are actually funny.

Seth vs. Justin is a collection of scenes where the two actors go off the script to improvise whatever is takes to make things funnier.

Comic-Con 2008 features Kevin Smith and the casts at the event promoting the upcoming film.

BOTTOM LINE

Is Zack and Miri Make a Porno Kevin Smith’s best piece of work? No. But his fans and the overlapping Judd Apatow audience should find it enjoyable. The Blu-ray offers good picture quality, decent sound, and the bonus features are a big plus. Give it a try, just as long as you realize what you’re getting yourself into.

SCORES (out of 5):

The Movie: 2.5

Video: 4.0

Sound: 3.0

Extras: 4.0

Bottom Line: 3.0