Why So Blu?

Cougars, Inc. (Blu-ray Review)

What is a “cougar,” besides being  a large cat of the feline variety that will rip you to shreds?  Well, as defined in the latest edition of the Urban Dictionary; An older woman who frequents clubs in order to score with a much younger man.  The cougar can be anyone from an overly surgically altered wind tunnel victim, to an absolute sad and bloated old horn-meister, to a real hottie or milf.  Cougars are gaining in popularity — particularly the true hotties — as young men find not only a sexual high, but many times a chick with her stuff together. And on that selacious note let’s get the party started, yo!  *cue the trance music*

Film 

Sam (Gallner) is a borderline genius who has been kicked out of various private and public high schools throughout the country.  He decides to stop messing around and help his mother pay for his education at his latest private school.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  After bagging, I mean, having a one night escapade with very lovely older woman Sam gets the great idea to team up with his friends to open up their own escort service that caters to cougars.  Why didn’t I ever think of that!  Facepalm.

Okay, this review will probably be me gushing on and on about how cool the premise is.  Don’t even pretend that you don’t think it’s a cool concept (it exists in real life) for a film, you men out there.  With the likes of Kathryn Morris and Denise Richards (looking a tad thinner) I’d say that Cougars, Inc. is a recipe for success.  James Belushi is hilarious in Cougars, Inc. as Sam’s school principal, mentor, and confidant.

I’m giving Cougars, Inc. the benefit of the doubt, because I was entertained through most of it.  It gets a halfway decent score, because up until the very predictable ending it was firing on all cylinders.  Yes, it’s safe to say that Cougars, Inc. took me back to my younger days.  What’s even cooler is that I think they filmed it in my city, because it does take place here.  Score!

Cougars, Inc. is typical raunchy movie-fare; misunderstood but extremely smart misfit no one likes comes up with a great idea and it’s put into action, and everything is grand until he messes it all up.  I firmly believe that if the whole film was like the first three quarters, it would have been a much better film overall.  This is what happens when you have multiple themes running through a single film.  I’m a simple dude.  Focus on the cougars and hijinx and go with that.  The film is called Cougars, Inc., not Redemption, Inc.!  That’s also me just nitpicking it.  It does get props on the production in general, because it sure doesn’t look low budget. The script does have some great and funny dialogue scenes especially Belushi’s, whose lines were mostly likely unscripted.

Get the boys (or girls) together and have a couple of drinks, because Cougars, Inc. is one of those films that will be enjoyed more if you’re having a good time or have company over.  It’s NOT a great film by any means, but it is a very entertaining one.  For some of you guys out there it may make you relive your youth.  I know I had flashbacks.

Video 

Cougars, Inc. is presented in 1080p 16X9 2.35:1 widescreen.  Cougars, Inc., like the women in the film, looks pretty good.  The image is sharp with very minimal edge enhancement.  Softness comes and goes, but isn’t distracting.  Colors are bright and vivid and pop out to great effect.  Skin tones are consistent as the boys often look pasty and the women look fabulous.  In terms of video presentation I would say that Cougars, Inc. is above average.

Audio 

Cougars, Inc. is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1.  The audio presentation is very adequate for a film of this nature.  I never expected it to be of reference quality, but it isn’t a slouch either.  Dialogue comes through nicely as I was able to hear every line without having to turn up the volume.  The LFE is stable as are the surrounds.  There are a few scenes where loud music is playing and some of the conversations are had over the music , but I was still able to make out what was being said without a problem.

Special Features

Cougars, Inc. has a small helping of special features which include a an audio commentary that’s somewhat all over the place, because it’s the director alongside some of his actors, and you have to be really nice when talent is sitting right next to you.  There is a deleted scene, and some lame feature called “Cougars 101.”

• Commentary with Writer/Director K. Asher Levin and Actors Kyle Gallner and Kathryn Morris
• Deleted Scene
• Cougars 101
• Trailer Gallery

Final Thoughts 

No, Cougars, Inc. is not Citizen Kane by any stretch of the  imagination, but for a film that is less than 90 minutes (82 minutes, to be exact) it sets out to entertain.  As  I said in the beginning of my review that if it had not been for the weaker second half of the film I would have given it a higher score.  If you’re even remotely curious I would suggest renting it first.

 

Order Cougars, Inc. on Blu-ray!