Little guys make a stand in ‘Tower Heist’

“TOWER HEIST”

Blu-ray widescreen, DVD widescreen and digital copy, 2011, PG-13 for language and sexual content

Best extra: A 45-minute high-def making-of documentary, “Plotting Tower Heist” - which can also be viewed as pop-up video segments during the movie

BEN STILLER AND Eddie Murphy on the same screen is a recipe for laughter. Even in the serious event of a fraud and payback, it’s hard to keep a straight face with these guys around. The pair keeps the laughs coming with help from an all-star cast including Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Téa Leoni, Michael Pena and Gabourey Sidibe in “Tower Heist.”

The comedy finds Stiller as the ringleader of a group of scorned underdogs hoping to strike it rich after trapping a Wall Street scoundrel (Alda). “There’s nobody who doesn’t love a good revenge story that’s full of fun,” says director Brett Ratner.

The quality Blu-ray offers satisfactory sound and picture with plenty of insight on the feature commentary with Ratner, editor Mark Helfrich and co-writers Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson. “Plotting ‘Tower Heist’” is a tell-all about the film and features everything from Ratner’s career history to interviews with each member of the “Heist” squad, including Murphy and Sidibe. “I feel extra special because I’m the only girl who is in on the heist,” Sidibe says.

Ratner asked that the part be written especially for Sidibe. “(She) is a breath of fresh air… To stand toe-to-toe with Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller, I need somebody with a strong personality,” Ratner says.

The Blu-ray release also includes several more HD extras – a gag reel and a “Tower Heist Video Diary” that offers more behind-scenes footage.

Wishing the movie ended differently? The Blu-ray release offers two alternate endings along with several deleted/alternate scenes.

— DeAnne M. Bradley

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