|
HTF MGM Reviewer
Join Date: May 2002
Local Time: 12:31 AM
Local Date: 11-19-2008
Posts: 6,210
|
HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: The Bucket List
The Bucket List
Release Date: June 10, 2008
Studio: Warner Brothers
Packaging/Materials: Standard single-disc Blu-Ray case
Year: 2007
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 1h37m
Video: 1080p high definition 16x9 1.85:1
Video (special features): 480i or 480p standard definition
Audio: Dolby Digital: English 5.1, French 5.1 (dubbed in Quebec), Spanish 5.1
Audio (special features): Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
MSRP: $35.99
The Feature: 3/5
Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) don't seem to have much in common. Edward is a billionaire hospital magnate; Carter is an auto mechanic who could have been a brilliant professor. But they both have cancer and wind up in the same room in one of Cole's hospitals, where it's "two patients per room, no exceptions." Sharing a common struggle, the two become friends, eventually becoming sort of blood brothers when they get the same prognosis of only several months left to live. The two fashion a "bucket list" - all the things they want to do before they kick the bucket - and embark on an adventure that takes them across the world. But it's the adventuring that comes easy - skydiving, going on safari, visiting the Himalayas. It's the unfinished personal business that really needs tending to. And it's only with each other's help that they are able to cross those items off the list.
Rob Reiner's sentimental work aimed at the more "developed" demographic holds few surprises, but fortunately doesn't overly manipulate to wring audience tears. The emotions are mostly well earned, due to the work of Freeman and Nicholson, who make the script seem better than it is. Sean Hayes, playing Edward's longsuffering personal assistant, also turns in a solid, understated supporting performance. The only major misstep is the payoff to a running gag about Edward's favorite coffee, feeling forced in both its set up and delivery. That aside, "The Bucket List" should do the trick for the times we're looking for something predictably uplifting. And, as much as we hate to admit it, we all have those moments.
Video Quality: 4/5
The film is correctly framed at 1.85:1 and free of dust, dirt and damage. Fine object detail is on the whole very good, though can suffer a bit in wider shots. Overall sharpness can also vary, though the differences are slight. Black levels are deep and solid and flesh tones appear accurate, though a bit on the warm side, befitting the film's sentimental theme. There is some noise here and there, but nothing egregious.
Audio Quality: 3/5
Though it's regressive to have Dolby Digital 5.1 as the sole English audio track, a high resolution option isn't really missed in this dialog heavy film. Even in more dynamic scenes, where more aggressive channel activity would seem appropriate, the mix is pretty ho-hum. Simply put, the audio track gets the job done.
Special Features: 3/5
Aside from the pop-up trivia, the special features amount to little more than elements from a press kit. The interviews with the actors could have been a place for more depth, but they too wind up feeling more promotional than insightful.
Trivia Track: Jokey, Post-It style pop-ups cover the usual territory but can get a little sparse at times.
Writing A Bucket List (4m53s): Writer Justin Zackham talks about the script and promotes an upcoming book of celebrity bucket lists.
Rob and Jack (21m44s): Reiner interviews Nicholson. Like the film there are few surprises in the conversation - there's a lot of mutual admiration that goes on. But it's interesting to hear Nicholson talk at length about anything - something that seems like a rarity, at least to this casual fan.
Rob and Morgan (16m48s): Reiner interviews Freeman and the two-way compliments continue to fly. The last five minutes actually get interesting as Freeman talks about returning to the stage after years in film.
Say (4m01s): Music video of John Mayer's end credits song follows the standard formula of the musician intercut with movie clips.
The Making of Say (5m38s): A behind-the-scenes look at shooting the music video, with Mayer explaining how he wrote the song.
Recap
The Feature: 3/5
Video Quality: 4/5
Audio Quality: 3/5
Special Features: 3/5
Overall Score (not an average): 3/5
Sentimental film made palatable by its lead actors gets a very good video transfer, utilitarian audio track, and a promotion-heavy special features package.
Anyone who isn't confused really doesn't understand the situation. - Edward R. Murrow
|
