Blu-ray/DVD Review: NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE

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May 22 Posted by Kyle Nolan in DVD/Blu-ray, Reviews | Comments

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is the big screen adaptation of the Canadian mocumentary TV series which ran for two seasons on Viceland from 2017–2018. Nirvanna the Band the Show originally began as a web series that ran from 2007–2009. So this is the third installment of this franchise.

Longtime roommates, band mates and best friends Matt (Matt Johnson) and Jay (Jay McCarrol) have been struggling to get their band, Nirvanna The Band, noticed. Way back in 2008, the buddies had the idea to play local Toronto club Rivoli, but it’s been 17 years and they still haven’t managed to get that gig. Matt constantly comes up with crazy, elaborate plans to promote the band, but they never seem to work out, and usually fail miserably. Matt’s latest scheme is to build a time machine so they can go back to 2008 and finally follow through on playing the Rivoli (though he doesn’t think it’s actually going to work). However, Jay has finally had enough, and decides it is time that he try to go solo. But as Jay sneaks out to his secret solo gig, the RV hits 88 mph sending the guys back to 2008. As they try to figure out a way to get back to 2025, the guys inadvertently alter the future. Now Matt must figure out how to change things back and restore their timeline…and friendship.

I had never seen (or heard of) either version of Nirvanna the Band the Show, so I went into this film blind. There is no need to have seen either of those in order to fully enjoy this movie. The film is shot mockumentary style, with it never being explained why these two guys have a camera crew following them around everywhere. While there’s a definite overall storyline and a hilarious parody of Back To The Future at the core, much of the dialogue and specific scenes are somewhat improvised. The film has a feeling like Curb Your Enthusiasm mixed with one of those hidden camera prank shows/movies, where they film the actors in public to get real reactions from people who don’t know what’s going on.

When I originally saw the trailer for this, I expected it to be some sort of cheap independent film, but I was quite pleasantly surprised. I found the movie to be so much fun, and the homages to Back to the Future are spot on. There are also many other fun pop culture references throughout. The film takes lots of hilarious and unexpected twists and turns, which keeps the viewers guessing how things are going to turn out—even if you’ve seen BTTF a million times. It is so cleverly written/improvised and shot. The close-up hand-held camera style really invests the viewer in this story and characters. After watching this, I’m definitely interested in checking out the original series/web series to see more of the antics of these characters.

NEON/Decal Releasing has released Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie only on Blu-ray/DVD combo for physical media, but it is also available in 4K on digital. We were sent the Blu-ray/DVD combo release for review. The film mixes aspect ratios, using a 4:3 format for some of the 2008 footage, and widescreen for the present. The visual presentation is great, with a generally clean, clear picture and a solid level of detail throughout, particularly in the widescreen footage. Some of the 2008 footage is less clear and has some slight grain, but this works for the film as it helps to establish a different era. The audio track provides clear dialogue throughout, and makes nice use of the stereo and surround channels to provide an immersive experience.

The physical release includes both a Blu-ray and a DVD disc, placed on either side of a standard HD keepcase. Our review copy did not include a slipcover. Like other NEON releases, there is also no digital copy code included. Both discs contain the same bonus material, which consists of two entertaining audio commentary tracks, nearly an hour of behind-the-scenes footage and deleted/extended/animatic sequences, and the first episode of the TV series.

What’s Included:

Film (1:40:17):

1080p / Widescreen 1.78:1 / 1.33:1
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English Audio Description DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

DVD:

480i / Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 / 1.33:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Audio Description Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

Extras:

Commentaries
- Commentary with Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol and Production Team (1:40:17)
  Stars/creators Matt Johnson & Jay McCarrol and joined by producers/writers Jared Raab & Matt Greyson.
- Commentary with Matt Johnson and the Post Team (1:40:17)
  Star/creator Matt Johnson is joined by editors Robert Upchurch & Curt Lobb, and vfx supervisor Tristan Zerafa (Pixomondo).
Home Movies (11:48)
Collection of behind-the-scenes footage with the cast and crew.
Animatics
- Back to 2008 (11:58)
- Running Cable (5:59)
Alternate Opening (3:54)
Matt explains his Seventh Inning Skydive plan to Jay.
Ethan Deleted Scene (2:26)
Matt brainstorms his Get Back To REALITY plan with his new bandmate Ethan.
Figured It Out (20:44)
Montage of extended, alternate riffing and behind-the-scenes footage,
Nirvanna the Band the Show Episode 1 – The Banner (21:18)
The first episode of the mockumentary sitcom that originally aired on Viceland in February 2017. The premiere finds musicians Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol trying to get their band, Nirvanna the Band, a show at the Toronto club Rivoli, To prove their band exists, they have their photo taken at the Sears Portrait Studio and have it blown up to banner size. However, they later realize that Jay had ripped his tight leather pants and exposed himself in the photo.

My Rating

Film:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Highly Recommended

Final Thoughts:

I was pleasantly surprised by Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. As someone who hadn’t seen the original series or web series, I went into this not expecting much. However it turned out to be a really fun, creative film, a clever homage to Back to the Future, and had a surprising amount of heart. NEON’s Blu-ray release looks and sounds great, and is loaded with bonus material that is sure to please new fans and longtime fans of the franchise. I highly recommend giving this one a chance.