4K Blu-Ray Review: The Nice Guys

Synopsis: Set in 1970s Los Angeles, down-on-his-luck private eye Holland March (Ryan Gosling) and hired enforcer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) must work together to solve the case of a missing girl and the seemingly unrelated death of a porn star. During their investigation, they uncover a shocking conspiracy that reaches up to the highest circles of power.

Main Features: With writer-director Shane Blank's The Nice Guys getting a 4K upgrade, I still find it unbalanced. Following in the filmmaker's blueprints of mismatched pairs banding together to save the day (albeit without the usual Christmas backdrop), the film is definitely one that remains light on it's feet, never taking itself to seriously. This does allow it's actors to truly explore the goofiness. And that is where I take issue. Crowe is almost too subdued. He's clearly channeling some real-life frustration on his life and career into this character but he's just a tad too dour for my tastes. Gosling, on the other hand, is all-out goofy to the nth degree. It does help that I am a sucker for a nod to classic Abbott & Costello schtick involving his discovery of a dead body. The 70s vibe is present, but the execution of the LA setting just isn't groovy enough to hold up. The 4K presentation is decent enough but nothing to truly view as revelatory. This is part of Warner Bros. manufacturing on demand (MOD) 4k releases/upgrades they have started to get into the market for. The Nice Guys makes a curious choice for such a niche of commerce.

Bonus Features: Two very short extras about Shane Black and the dual detectives. No digital code due to the MOD status. If you're  fan of the film, you'll be disappointed by the lacking of bonuses. 

Final Call: The Nice Guys doesn't quite finish last but will have some nice fans shelling out some nice money for a not-so-nice UHD upgrade.

Grade: C-