‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin: 20th Anniversary Edition’ 4K Ultra HD movie review

Judd Apatow’s blockbuster directorial debut back in 2005 not only cemented comedian Steve Carell as a leading man in cinema but gave mature audiences laughing fits due to the duo writing a hilarious, feel-good film.

Now immortalized in the 4K disc format, the raunchy romantic comedy gets celebrated in The 40-Year-Old Virgin: 20th Anniversary Edition (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, not rated, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, 116 minutes, $29.49) and sheds light on the somewhat woeful life of painfully shy, introvert Andy Stitzer (Mr. Carell) working at a big box electronics store who hides his lack of sexual activity.

Andy’s too-active friends David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco) and Cal (Seth Rogen) find out his dilemma and go out of their way to hone his machismo and set him up with the perfect and easy woman for him to finally consummate his manhood, resulting in more amusing situations and encounters.

Thankfully, after Andy meets E-Bay brick-and-mortar store owner Trish Piedmont (Catherine Keener), romance could be in the air, except for his terrible secret that only inner confidence and love can conquer.

Amid the sophomoric chaos throughout, Andy’s chest-waxing scene will always stand near the top of the film’s laughs and stand firm in the annals of legendary comedic cinema.

The movie’s dynamite cast also includes Jane Lynch as Andy’s boss, Kat Dennings as Trish’s daughter Marla and Elizabeth Banks as one of Andy’s attempted conquests.

Viewers get the theatrical cut of the film as well as the unrated version that adds 15 minutes of more nudity and risqué dialogue, including an extended appearance by porn actress Stormy Daniels.

4K in action: The 4K presentation offers an acquired taste with some occasional grain, pinches of soft focus and muted tones brought out by the blue-and-grey uniform choices of the Smart Tech store employees.

Outside the store, the visuals fare better, such as in a nightclub scene with a selection of neon lighting colors; a bar with four pals sporting natural skin tones and clarity as they drink themselves into oblivion; Andy’s candlelit evening of self-discovery; and that all-too-painful and detailed chest hair extraction.

Best extras: Universal unloads with bonus goodies, compiling all of the extras released in previous home entertainment iterations of the movie as well as one much-appreciated extra.

Most importantly, under the newly released, Mr. Apatow, Mr. Carell and cast members Ms. Keener, Ms. Dennings, Ms. Lynch and foul-mouthed Gerry Bednob (salesman Mooj) spend 49 minutes discussing the film and answering audience questions before its anniversary screening this year at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Next, viewers can really enjoy an optional commentary track for both cuts of the film, recorded two weeks before the movie opened, that includes a group free-for-all with Mr. Apatow, Mr. Carell and a selection of cast members including Mr. Rudd, Mr. Rogan, Mr. Malco, Mr. Bednob, Ms. Lynch, Leslie Mann (drunk woman Nicky), Shelley Malil (salesman Haziz) and Jonah Hill (E-Bay store shopper).

As expected, the laughs generated by a group of mostly comedians and improvisational artists are nearly nonstop and filled with profanity.

Now move to the Blu-ray disc for everything else, starting with a 21-minute Comedy Central special “Reel Comedy Roundtable” with Mr. Apatow, Mr. Rogen, Mr. Malco, Mr. Rudd and Mr. Carell discussing life experiences and the film, supported by lots of clips.

Viewers also get 21 minutes of select moments of Mr. Apatow’s video diary covering select moments from within 52 days of the shoot; a cast read through of the poker game scene (after a major rewrite); and a Cinemax special “Cinemax Final Cut: The 40-Year-Old Virgin” with Mr. Apatow, Mr. Rogen, Mr. Rudd and Mr. Carell.

Rounding out the extras, for the hardcore fans, are more than 90 minutes of alternate takes, deleted scenes and raw footage to round out the fun, with even cast auditions included.