Coyote Ugly – Blu-ray Disc Review
May 23, 2008 – 1:22 AM - Posted by: Brendan SurplessTags: Bridget Moynahan, Buena Vista, Jerry Bruckheimer, John Goodman, Maria Bello, Piper Perabo, Tyra Banks
has an average rating of 5.3 on IMDb
1080p in AVC MPEG-4 on a 50gb disc
PCM 5.1 Surround @48khz/16-bit
include a few decent features
– 
– 2000
– 100 min. (Theatrical) / 107 min. (Unrated)
– Buena Vista
– 
Overall Verdict – Worth A Rental
Buy it for $14.99 @ Amazon.com
— Review written by Brendan Surpless
The Movie Itself is directed by David McNally (known as a writer on the TV show “Justice“). Desperately seeking to become a songwriter Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) decides to move from New Jersey to the Big Apple in hopes of becoming a star. This idea is met with worry from her father Will (John Goodman) as he doesn’t want his daughter moving out. Nonetheless her desire to be something drives her to a city that doesn’t really accept her as most record companies and the like ignore her tape. Along the way she meets Kevin O’Donnell (Adam Garcia) the standard movie romantic element. Soon she finds herself down on all luck after she’s robbed. Again wanting something, she stumbles into a bar called “Coyote Ugly” where she’s given an opportunity to possibly capture the big dream she’s shooting for. What results is a film that is somewhat enjoyable (mostly due to two actors) throughout but can’t really overcome the standard genre cliches.
Speaking of genre cliches why is it that every single film that has to do with someone trying to achieve success ALWAYS has to have some type of character who is a complete and utter bitch? Take for example Rachel (Bridget Moynahan) who has the “I give her one night” role. She’s just utterly mean to Violet for no reason whatsoever. I understand the whole let’s be mean to the new girl but look to the scene where Rachel openly knows the Fire Chief is at the bar yet still lets Violet spray him with water (naturally because Coyote Ugly doesn’t serve water). Some might think I’m stretching here but items like this were the prime reason why movies of this genre are generally so mean-spirited.
This caveat aside of the genre, the redeeming quality of “Coyote Ugly” lies in the area of both actors John Goodman and Piper Perabo. Both do a fine job in their roles, particularly Goodman who always has an interest quality to his characters regardless of what side he sits on (villain or face <---ie good character). Still in the end I guess what makes "Coyote Ugly” enjoyable (at least one time through) are the two aforementioned actors and a few sequences.
Video Quality on this release is 1080p in AVC MPEG-4 on a BD-50 (50 gigabyte Dual-Layered Blu-ray Disc). What I tended to notice with this transfer is that detail, for the most part, was solid. The film’s print roughly 8 years old has held up quite nicely. Colors are also impressive for an older catalog film (blacks were the best here). Some colors like pinks of the characters fleshtones didn’t hold up as nice making some a bit fake. Perhaps that’s more the colors were possibly ran through a filter? But this aside grain is kept in check never really becoming too noticeable. I suppose my only downside in an otherwise strong transfer is the aforementioned colors. Otherwise from that rank this one up in the column of another solid catalog title from Buena Vista (now Walt Disney Studios).
Audio Quality on this release is in PCM 5.1 Surround @48khz/16-bit. Maybe it’s just me but this PCM 5.1 track seemed rather front heavy. I noticed that a majority of the dynamics, typically coming from the rears, seemed to focus on the fronts. I’m not saying every effect hit the fronts just I didn’t hear much response from the rears. Speaking of the front, dialogue was fine throughout never really becoming much of an issue. LFE was only really active during the bar sequences (the various stomps on the actual bar kicked the sub a bit). All in all this is a good enough track but I guess I expected a bit more considering the film has a fair share of high-amped sequences.
- Separate Audio Commentary with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director David McNally and the “Coyotes” (Theatrical)
- Combined Audio Commentary with Bruckheimer, McNally and the “Coyotes” (Unrated)
- Deleted Scenes: Here we get about 7 minutes worth of deleted scenes most of which are rather dull. The only scene that stuck out was the initial deleted sequence as the scene showed how few people had faith in Violet succeeding.
- Trailer: The film’s Theatrical Trailer is shown
- Music Video: Leanne Rimes performs her hit “Can’t Fight the Moonlight“
- Search for the Stars: Here we get 3 quick features on Violet, the “Coyotes” and Kevin O’Donnell
- Inside the Songs: This feature showcases Diane Warren and Leanne Rimes on the two collaborating for the “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” song.
- Coyote 101: : Another pair of 3 features on the actual Bar, the bartending skills, and the choreography used in the film.
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