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Category:    Home > Reviews > Comedy > Satire > Wealth > Gender > The Boss: Unrated (2016/Universal Blu-ray w/DVD)

The Boss: Unrated (2016/Universal Blu-ray w/DVD)



Picture: B/B- Sound: B/B- Extras: B- Film: C



It seems like every couple of months we are getting a big budget Melissa McCarthy vehicle, her most recent being the mediocre reboot of the Ghostbusters franchise for Sony Pictures. I have to admit, when I first saw the advertising for this film, Ben Falcone's 2016 comedy The Boss, I was pretty unimpressed and now having seen it. I'm not much more impressed than I was before. Not as bad as McCarthy's Tammy (which I reviewed elsewhere on this site), The Boss has a great supporting cast including Kristen Bell, Kathy Bates, newcomer Ella Anderson, and a hilarious role by Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) that kind of gives you that feeling of seeing a good friend at a bad party.


One of the wealthiest women in the world, successful motivational speaker and CEO Michelle Darnell (McCarthy) is on top of the world. When she screws over a past lover (Dinklage) and treats many others with disrespect, she soon finds that her inside trading secrets quickly come to light. Before she knows it, all of her wealth disappears, seeing Darnell being bars for six months and those working for her left unemployed. Once freed from jail, Darnell ends up tracking down her former assistant Claire (Bell) and her young daughter (Anderson) who both help her get off the streets and back on her feet. Darnell soon finds herself at a Girl Scout meeting while babysitting Claire's daughter (and discovering Claire's unique homemade brownie recipe), where she puts two and two together and comes up with a business strategy to help the Girl Scouts break records. Things don't go too smoothly as Darnell constantly battles her own ego and figures of her past against a City full of those who despise her.


While the film has some funny moments (and a sword fight) and isn't all for not, it follows many thematic movie cliches that we have grown to become accustomed to. Also distracting, and I don't know if it's a character choice or not, is McCarthy's neck. Constantly hidden throughout the entire film with outrageous costumes. It suits her character, a Martha Stewart-esque Scrooge, but quickly becomes distracting once you notice it. Did she get some failed plastic surgery work done? One can only speculate.


Presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and a lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 track that looks and sounds fantastic throughout. With little left to be desired in terms of presentation, especially for a film of this nature, there isn't much to complain about here in high def. Also included is a standard DVD version of the film with an anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track that looks and sounds fine for the format. Also included is a UltraViolet copy of the film.


There are two versions of the film in this release, the Unrated version which is six minutes longer and the original Theatrical version, but they are equally problematic.


Special Features include...


Michelle Darnell - Original Sketch

Origin Story

Peter Dinklage Gets to the Point

Everybody Loves Kristen Bell

Alternate Ending

Deleted Scenes

Extended/Alternate Scenes

Gag Reel


If you like rags to riches comedies or are a fan of Melissa McCarthy, then you may enjoy The Boss. I found it funny at times but ultimately forgettable and felt way longer than it was.



- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/


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