Blu-ray Review: Beyond the Lights

Beyond the Lights

Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is the music world’s latest superstar, but the pressures of fame have her on the edge…until she meets Kaz (Nate Parker), a handsome young cop with political ambitions who’s been assigned to protect her. Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of Noni's Mother (Oscar^® Nominee Minnie Driver^*) and Kaz's father (Danny Glover). But Kaz's love might be the missing piece that gives Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.

The critically acclaimed film was also recently nominated for an Academy Award^® for Best Original Song “Grateful” By Diane Warren.

^*Supporting Actress, Good Will Hunting, 1997

Special Features

·         Director's Cut  (Blu-ray Only)

·         Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Tami Reiker, and Terilyn Shropshire (DVD & Blu-ray)

·         Escape to Mexico 2.0 (DVD & Blu-ray)

·         Changing the Conversation (Blu-ray Only)

·         Gary Theard: Boom Man (DVD & Blu-ray)

·         Commentary by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Tami Reiker, and Terilyn Shropshire (Blu-ray Only)

·         "Masterpiece" Music Video (Blu-ray Only)

·         Theatrical Trailer (DVD & Blu-ray)

·         Digital HD (Blu-ray Only)

Beyond the Lights Blu-ray

Street Date:                 February 24, 2015

Prebook Date:                         January 21, 2015

Screen Format:            Widescreen 1.78:1

Audio:                         5.1 DTS-HD-MA       

Subtitles:                     English, Spanish

Total Run Time:          116 minutes

U.S. Rating:                PG-13

Closed Captioned:      Yes

Beyond the Lights DVD

Street Date:                 February 24, 2015

Prebook Date:                         January 21, 2015

Screen Format:            Widescreen 1.78:1

Audio:                         5.1 DD           

Subtitles:                     English, Spanish

Total Run Time:          116 minutes

U.S. Rating:                PG-13

Closed Captioned:      Yes

My Thoughts

Beyond the Lights is a celeb romance about as hip-hop diva who falls for her bodyguard. Noni starts out as more of a sex symbol than an artist, with her mother controlling every move she makes. She's so unhappy with her life she tries to kill herself.  Kazam, a police officer, talks her down off the ledge. This sparks their relationship. Kazam can relate to her issues because he's being pushed into politics by his father instead of pursuing his own dreams.

When I first sat down to watch this film, I worried it wold be too much like the Bodyguard staring Whitney Houston,  but this movie was completely original and unique.  It gives us a behind the scenes look at the life of celebrities and the pressures put on them to always be perfect. I love how Noni chooses to step away from being a sex symbol to become something more meaningful. This is a great love story, but it also has a great lesson about standing up for what you believe in.