Search - Miss Congeniality on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Adult Language, Sexual Situations, Suitable for Teens Movie Release: 2000 DVD Release: 05/01/2001 Format: DVD - Soft-Matted WSE for 16x9 TV Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 50 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Total Copies: 75 Genres: Comedy, Police Comedy See Also: Miss Congeniality [Deluxe Edition], Miss Congeniality [Deluxe Edition], Miss Congeniality [Deluxe Edition] [With CD], Miss Congeniality

Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) is an FBI agent with a reputation for being aggressive and hard-nosed, who has long wanted to duplicate the career of her deceased mother, also an FBI agent, who died in the line of duty. Her cantankerous nature, though, has made her few friends, excepting her trusting, sensitive partner Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt). However, her true abilities are put to the test when she is called upon to infiltrate a Miss United States pageant after a terrorist threatens to bomb it. Gracie, who prides herself on her toughness, must now feminize her behavior to effectively participate in the pageant with the aid of Victor Melling (Michael Caine), a pompous consultant who dreams of whisking away Gracie's past self and creating "Gracie Lou Freebush" for an appreciative, all-American audience. After her arduous conversion, Gracie must play the role of beauty queen and FBI agent, and try not to blow her undercover outfit. Miss Congeniality, which was produced by star Bullock, features television stalwarts William Shatner and Candice Bergen in supporting roles. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide

Sandra Bullock - Gracie Hart
Michael Caine - Victor Melling
Benjamin Bratt - Eric Matthews
William Shatner - Stan Fields
Ernie Hudson - McDonald
John DiResta - Agent Clonsky
Candice Bergen - Kathy Morningside

Warner Bros.' DVD edition of Miss Congeniality seems to have passed through the process to release without receiving much attention, though it does come with a pair of commentary tracks and a pair of featurettes as extras.
The video is a clean anamorphic transfer that maintains the 1.85:1 aspect ratio of the original. The source print is free of dust speckles and scratches. The transfer, however, is lacking in contrast, and seems to have problems with levels from time to time -- some night scenes turn to mush, and some outdoor day scenes come close to washing out. Colors appear accurate, though subdued, but the overall image seems slightly soft. Blacks are reasonably solid, compression artifacts are minimal, and there appears to be no stairstepping from digital enhancement.
The Dolby 5.1 is adequate to the task at hand, with good separation and good use of the surround channels for atmospheric and ambient effect. The bass channel is good, with solid, clean lows. Dialogue is very clear throughout, and never overwhelmed by other soundtrack elements. The French-language soundtrack maintains the audio quality, and has a good voice cast, but somewhat sloppy dubbing.
The first commentary track features Sandra Bullock and screenwriter Marc Lawrence, while the second has director Donald Petrie soloing. The Bullock/Lawrence commentary has a jokey, chatty, sometimes surreal air to it, and is effectively wall to wall -- good for a certain amount of entertainment, though it does sometimes get irritating. Petrie's commentary, on the other hand, is a plodder -- long gaps, little information (delivered slowly at that), and not much of interest. The two featurettes seem like one longer piece simply cut in half. Each one includes some background information on the film, a handful of bloopers, and concludes with deleted scenes. The sound quality is fine on both, but the image quality is mediocre. Cast and crew information and the theatrical trailer cap off the special features. ~ Steven E. McDonald, All Movie Guide