She's the Man (DVD)
The running time is 1 hr. 45 mins..
It's all very Shakespearean, and why wouldn't it be what with writers Ewan Leslie, Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith taking the Bard's Twelfth Night and turning into their screenplay for Dreamworks' latest teenage enterprise She's the Man. All the twists, turns and escapades one would expect from such a 10 Things I Hate About You-like hidden identity comedy are very much in place, neither the writers or director Andy Fickman interested in going too far outside the proverbial box.
But hey, when they're as shockingly endearing and funny as this one I guess originality isn't as big a deal as it normally should be. For the most part, this freewheeling gender-bending odyssey is utterly beguiling home entertainment, an easy-going summer confection that's perfectly delightful for those looking to turn their brains off for a little while and just have a good time. It isn't high art (with Bynes starring how could we expect it to be) but it is fun, and with so many comedies laying lead balloon after leaden balloon that's almost a trait too wondrous to complain about.
Granted, it does go on a bit too long, and the filmmakers haven't the first clue as to how to bring it all to a completely satisfying conclusion. But, really, who am I kidding? This isn't rocket science after all, and a little hair pulling between extremely hot girls in cute designer dresses (and boy do I wish I could afford a couple of them) is actually amusing every now and then. Okay, so it is amusing in a guilty pleasure sort of way. And no, I'm not going to run around town letting people know how much I actually enjoyed this thing. But as far as this review is concerned I really don't have too much of a choice. It's not just my duty to all you wondering if the DVD is worth the time of day, it's my job. Who am I to shirk on doing my job?
In case you're thinking of writing emails, that's not a question I expect to get answered. Be that as it may, Dreamworks has done a rather commendable job bringing She's the Man to DVD with all the usual bells and whistles expected of a moderately successful teen comedy. There are the requisite previews for upcoming releases, the theatrical trailer, a moderately amusing gag reel, the music video of Dave Lichens' “Let Go,” a photo gallery and a pop-up trivia option you can select before watching the film.
There is a more in-depth than usual making of featurette full of interesting information, not the least of which is Fickman's assertion that he wanted to make the climactic soccer match one of the most realistic ever put to film. Considering how believable Bynes is as a star soccer player, this desire isn't so much boneheaded as it is eccentrically idiotic. Rounding things out are two audio tracks, one being an exuberant party-like commentary featuring the director and a large portion of his cast, the other a more staid dialogue between producer Lauren Shuler Donner and one of the writers. I admit I didn't listen to either in their entirety, the first giving me a headache and the second putting me to sleep.
Still, as DVDs go this one is a very well put together success. Not only is the movie surprisingly winning (loved the support from veteran character actors Vinnie Jones, David Cross and a most excellent Julie Hagerty), you don't actually feel too icky afterwards for enjoying it. Would I buy it? No, probably not, but if I was looking for something to rent I sure wouldn't have to think twice about picking it up. Most assuredly, She's the Man is a DVD it doesn't take a disguise to enjoy.