80 for Brady Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

80 for Brady Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 15, 2023

If one were to think of the phrase "80 for Brady" in a football context, one might think in terms of $80 million dollars for a contract, the number of endorsements Tom Brady signed, or maybe even, in some wild fantasy, the number of Super Bowls he might potentially win given his seemingly ageless progress through the NFL ranks. While that last one is obvious high fantasy for even the most devoted Brady superfan, the former are certainly possibilities. But in the world of cinema, 80 for Brady is a movie about four elderly friends who have long loved Tom Brady and find a way to go to the Super Bowl when he and his New England Patriots make it, yet again, to the big game. This fictional story is based on a real life photograph (when is the last time a single snapshot was the basis for a movie?) and is set against the historical backdrop of Super Bowl LI.

It was years ago when four friends; played by the legendary quartet of Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field; knew nothing about football but fell in love with a fresh-faced Tom Brady, making his debut for the New England Patriots. Together, they have not missed a game since. Sunday afternoons are their time of fellowship together and worship of "Tom Terrific." Now, Brady and the Pats are headed to yet another Super Bowl -- Super Bowl LI -- where a showdown with the Falcons awaits. The friends enter a contest to win four tickets to the big game and, miracle of miracles, their "hail Mary" is answered: the group wins the prize. Together, they head to Houston to cheer on their hero. However, various obstacles await, several truths come to light, and their bonds will be tested on the buildup to Super Sunday.

80 for Brady follows its characters not simply along their journey to the Super Bowl but rather along their journey through life. While the progression towards sitting down to watch the game in person drives the narrative, the film is at its best not in Brady worship or even in the humorous asides that pop up through the journey but rather in the heart that pulses through the ladies' time together as they continue to grow in friendship and explore their own lives through the various prisms with which they engage throughout the film. That is not to say that any of the content is even remotely special, but that is to say that the film understands that the pursuit of sitting at the game is more of a framework and less of a focal point for the greater story that builds within it.

The cast does have a good bit of fun with the material, delivering maybe not "authentic fandom" as it might be perceived from the traditional "younger and male" sports fan demographic but certainly portraying well realized, if not fairly superficial "fans" who defy standard type but nevertheless wear their affection for Brady on their sleeves and their real love for one another in their hearts. The foursome meshes together with seamless integration and simplicity, portraying believable fans and more believable friends who find their bonding over football but their calling in loving one another away from the TV screen and Brady memorabilia. This is a nontraditional Sports movie but a very traditional exploration of friendship and the ties that run deeper beyond shared interests.

80 for Brady Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

80 for Brady's 1080p transfer delivers a solid viewing experience. the film was digitally shot -- no surprise there for a movie of this style in this era of moviemaking -- and the result is a clean and efficient Blu-ray presentation that is home to some obvious source noise but never to a debilitating level. The picture offers clear imagery that allows audiences to see the fine skin details on the four main characters and the fabric characteristics of the various attire they wear, including, of course, the Brady/Patriots jerseys seen throughout the film. General clarity is very good around various home areas, Super Bowl festivities, and inside the game itself. Color reproduction satisfies, especially considering the barrage of red, white, and blue colors for the Patriots jerseys as well as other NFL colors seen throughout the film. Black levels and shadow details are fine, and skin tones appear healthy and accurate. The image isn't a stunner, and there's nothing about it that stands above any other new mid-budget production, but it certainly satisfies essential requirements for Blu-ray viewing in 2023.

80 for Brady Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Paramount passes 80 for Brady onto the Blu-ray format with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The film's natural sound design does not really need the Atmos configuration. It's a fairly low-key affair with front-heavy posture and low surround and overhead engagement even when the situation might warrant some significant expansion, such as at various pregame festivities, in the busy bowels of the stadium, or when the ladies are out amongst the crowd during the big game. The track is wide along the front but doesn't offer any sort of extreme or intense volume or surround blast to push the listening experience beyond the basics. What is here is nice and clear, but listeners should not expect a rowdy, high yield sort of track. Musical clarity is fine, again within the more constrained front end dominant positioning, while dialogue is clear and center focused for the duration.

80 for Brady Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of 80 for Brady includes a few extras. No DVD is included, but Paramount has bundled a digital copy code. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

• The Game Plan: Making 80 for Brady (1080p, 13:38): Cast and crew discuss film story and themes, the real photograph on which the movie is based, Tom Brady's thoughts on the film, how his play on the field has some parallels with the core story, and an in-depth exploration of character details and performances.
• The Goats: Jane, Lily, Rita, & Sally (1080p, 9:09): Cast and crew talk up the joys of working with four living legends on the film while the ladies further discuss the story, their characters, and their work in the film.
• The Visiting Team: Meet the Supporting Cast (1080p, 6:39): As the title suggests, the support cast talks up both their own characters and place in the story and their opportunity to work on the film alongside the four leading ladies.
• The Largest Comeback in Super Bowl History (1080p, 5:39): Setting the movie during the Patriots' historic comeback win in the Super Bowl during which the film is set.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes (1080p, 3:56 total runtime): Included are Pants - Extended, You're Still Going? - Deleted, and Book Signing - Deleted.

80 for Brady Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

80 for Brady doesn't strive to build a thematic powerhouse. It settles for cozy entertainment with a traditional blend of humor and heart that pulls on the heartstrings as the four friends reinforce the idea that football brings them together, but that everything else they share in life holds them together. It's not cinema at its best, but it is a satisfying little journey into a curious, but workable and agreeable, blend of football, fantasy, and friends. Paramount's Blu-ray offers solid video and audio along with a nice little helping of bonus content. Recommended.