Blu-ray Review: Jobs

Jobs Blu-ray boxSTUDIO: Universal | DIRECTOR: Joshua Michael Stern | CAST: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, Lukas Haas, Matthew Modine, J.K. Simmons, Lesley Ann Warren, James Woods
BLU-RAY & DVD RELEASE DATE: 11/26/2013 | PRICE: DVD $29.98, Blu-ray/DVD Combo $34.98
BONUSES: deleted scenes, featurettes, commentary
SPECS: PG-13 | 129 min. | Biography | 2.35:1 aspect ration | 5.1 DTS-HD audio | English, Spanish, French subtitles

RATINGS (out of 5 dishes): Movie | Audio | Video | Overall

JobsWhether you think Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is a genius or an arrogant ass, Joshua Michael Stern’s (Swing Vote) biography movie Jobs offers something for you. But that also might be reason to not bother with the film.

Stern covers his subject matter in a very middle-of-the-road manner, showing Jobs’ genius and drive in building Apple into a viable and thriving business as well as his less admirable actions, such as denying his daughter and lying to his business partners.

The movie’s fair stance also offers little in the way of flair or style. Instead, Jobs presents the facts, even down to the music representing each era in the film. The result is serviceable and interesting enough entertainment, especially if you find the titular man fascinating.

Ashton Kutcher (No Strings Attached) performs the role of Jobs with enthusiasm. In fact, all the actors are fine, especially Josh Gad (Thanks for Sharing) as the brain behind the Apple technology, Steve Wozniak, and Dermot Mulroney (Big Miracle) as Apple’s earliest investor, Mike Markkula.

Stern is obviously — and appropriately — interested in Jobs and he gives more information about his subject in the commentary on the Blu-ray. He shows his research and the accuracy he sought in his movie.

The film plays well in high-definition, although it’ll play equally well on regular DVD; it’s not the kind of gorgeous movie that screams for higher quality.

As well as Stern’s commentary, the Blu-ray has a few brief featurettes, one with the cast and crew raving about Kutcher’s performance, one with the cast and crew raving about Apple and one with composer John Debney explaining his approach to the film’s score.

The handful of deleted scenes are the most interesting, one offering a rare scene of Kutcher’s Jobs with his daughter.

It’s too bad there isn’t a documentary about the real man, but that  has been covered in other films, including the documentary Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview.

Buy or Rent Jobs
Amazon graphic
DVD | Blu-ray/DVD Combo | Instant Video SD | Instant Video HD
DVD Empire graphicDVD | Blu-ray/DVD Combo Movies Unlimited graphicDVD | Blu-ray/DVD Combo Netflix graphic

About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.