As FilmEdge reviewed in the film's theatrical release, corporate downsizing and frequent flyer rewards, luxury perks and severance packages are complex hallmarks of our unsteady American economy.  Modern life is truly UP IN THE AIR for Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), a specialist hired by companies to fire their employees in the most economical, unemotional way possible. The turbulent economy means that he’s got plenty of work on his calendar.  And he’s approaching a personal goal that will make him one of the most elite travelers in the world.  He’s very close to amassing ten million frequent-flyer miles with American Airlines, a feat that only six others have managed to achieve.

He meets a beautiful woman named Alex (Vera Farmiga) who shares his travel-as-life philosophy and who is happy with a casual relationship consisting of passionate rendezvous in airport hotels.  At the same time, Bingham is paired up to train Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), an MBA whiz from Cornell with a minor in psychology.  She develops a plan to handle firings via teleconference, saving Bingham’s employer untold travel expenses for its team of 25 traveling ax-men.  This is the problem with being a high-flying pro at downsizing corporate America is that eventually you must return to earth, and that's when life gets messy for Ryan.

Equally valued highlights from lead and supporting actors also enhance this story. J.K. Simmons delivers a splendid if brief performance as one of the lay off victims, rising and falling through emotional altitudes with deft skill reminiscent of his stellar performance in JUNO.  Amy Morton and Melanie Lynskey represent the family Ryan left behind with intimate heartache one only finds in that awkward limbo of relatives bonded together despite their disjointed lives. Danny McBride adds dramatic complexity to his well-known resume of stand out comedic talents as a struggling fiance about to marry into this fractured family. Kudos as well to the array of non-actors who embody the string of angry, teary, shocked workers which Ryan and Natalie manufacture like so many link sausages until change shakes their worlds.

Jason Reitman's dramedy draws its strength from an unflinching acceptance of uncomforted times.  Best of all, what could have been a real downer story is leavened by promises and opportunities for hope ahead, and the truth behind the human resources pitch that endings can also be beginnings.

Technically, UP IN THE AIR soars just as high in your home theater in a handsome Blu-ray presentation which offers many exclusive advantages over its fine standard edition DVD release.  Blu exclusives include eight Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by director Reitman (watch them both ways to learn why edits were made), the Help Yourself music video by Sad Brad, pre-production Storyboards assemble the film's visual style, and a funny-if-brief American Airlines Prank take during production hints and the on-set enjoyment of the cast and crew.

All of these Blu-only bonus features are presented in HD, along with these extras which appear on the standard DVD: feature-length Commentary Track by director Jason Reitman, director of photography Eric Steelberg and first assistant director Jason Blumenfeld (informative if a bit wall-to-wall chatty), Shadowplay: Before the Story is a quick look at the filmmakers who created aerial opening credits montage, five more Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Reitman (including the odd Spacesuit dream sequence), and Trailers for the film.

Naturally the film itself is presented in pristine condition in high-definition 1080p widescreen image enhanced for 16:9 TV screens, which really enhances the views shot high over the American landscape and capture the subtle, moody cinematography of Eric Steelberg. The soundtrack of this dramedy may not take full advantage of the English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, but it captures the minute real-world details from airliner ambiance to the tinkling of ice in a high ball glass, while enhancing the memorable song choices and Rolfe Kent's score. Alternate audio is available in 5.1 Dolby Digital French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese, with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.

For all of the critical praise and Oscar nominations that Reitman's film garnered earlier this year, I might have expected a deeper set of bonus features from Paramount Home Entertainment for such a high-profile title. The single Blu-ray disc could have benefited from a true blooper reel (always popular additions for home releases), as one would anticipate to show off Clooney's inherent charm and sense of humor.  Also there is almost none of the traditional EPK making-of interviews or featurettes which again would show off the talented and deep cast, so you'll have to glean all your behind-the-scenes education from the feature and deleted scene commentary tracks.  While these are picky points for disc addicts like myself who can never get enough of these extras, the increasing feed of such plusses set up expectations among many in home entertainment audiences.

Make no mistake: landing at home on Blu-ray and DVD, UP IN THE AIR extends its enjoyable reputation as a thoughtful comedy with touching insights in a film as much of its time as it is for its time.  FilmEdge recommends it.