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She’s The Man Blu-ray Review

“She’s The Man” is too cartoony.

2006’s “She’s The Man” is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in a high school setting. The story centers around a teen girl named Viola who learns that the girls soccer team she is on has been disbanded. When she learns that her twin brother Sebastian is off to London for a band gig for 2 weeks, Viola decides to get a makeover to become her brother and try out for the men’s soccer team at his school and prove that she is just as talented as any male player. As Viola/Sebastian tries to keep her identity a secret, she ends up falling for her roomie/fellow soccer player Duke even though he has eyes for another woman (Olivia). 

“10 Things I Hate About You” perfected the art of making a teen film based on a Shakespeare play work, but the Andy Fickman directed “She’s The Man” isn’t quite as successful. While the rom com has developed a fanbase over the years primarily due to stars Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, this comedy feels very much like a product of its time. While the script by Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz does tackle some important topics like sexism and gender roles, the commentary is lost amidst goofy one-note antics and an overabundance of story conveniences and coincidences to keep Viola’s lie going (and the movie going). Sure, it’s a comedy at heart but it’s stereotypes, cliches, and outdated views on gender hamper the film as a whole.

The saving grace here is Amanda Bynes who is charming in dual roles as Viola/Sebastian. The actress is clearly having fun here in the lead role and it’s arguably one of her best big screen performances. Channing Tatum co-stars in one of his earliest roles and he’s pretty bland here as the love interest. Laura Ramsey (who should have a way bigger career) is memorable as Olivia whose character plays a major role plot wise. The rest of the cast is filled out by some fantastic actors like Julie Hagerty, David Cross, Vinnie Jones and Amanda Crew, but they don’t have a ton to do.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: Widescreen 1080p. How does it look? This is the first time “She’s The Man” is available on Blu-ray and fans will undoubtedly be pleased by the results here as this is a super crisp hi-def transfer.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? This is a surprisingly loud and lively track.

Extras:
* Theatrical trailer
* Digital copy
* A music video for “Let Go” by David Lichens
* 9 deleted scenes with optional commentary by Amanda Bynes, Andy Fickman and Ewan “Jack” Leslie
* A 3 ½ minute gag reel
* “Making The Man” includes set footage, interviews, discussions about how the project came about and the script, etc.
* “The Troupe” is a featurette on the cast and crew.
* “Inspired By Shakespeare’s…”- A featurette on the source material that “She’s The Man” is based on.
* 2 commentaries. One by Amanda Bynes, Andy Fickman, Ewan “Jack” Leslie, Channing Tatum, Laura Ramsey, Robert Hoffman and Alex Breckenridge and the other by Ewan “Jack” Leslie and Lauren Shuler Donner.

March 1, 2021 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Rom Com, She's The Man Blu-ray Review