6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Dumped on her elderly grandparents (Ellen Burstyn and Michael Murphy) for the summer by her neglectful mother, 17-year-old Greta (Hilary Duff) thinks that suicide is the answer to her problems -- until she finds love with a charming short-order cook (Evan Ross). But the romance doesn't sit well with Greta's grandparents, who can't get past her boyfriend's skin color or his criminal record. Melissa Leo plays Greta's thrice-married mom.
Starring: Hilary Duff, Ellen Burstyn, Nancy Bardawil, Evan Ross, Michael Murphy (I)Romance | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
I'm just trying to protect you.
Coming-of-age movies are nothing new to the Hollywood scene, and According to Greta is
another in the genre's long lineage, a serviceable all-around picture that might find favor with fans
of the talent involved but will likely leave other viewers with a nonchalance towards the predictable
story arc and generic script but admittedly nicely-developed characters and strong acting. Indeed,
According to
Greta seems but a vehicle for fan-favorite teen star Hillary Duff (War, Inc.) to stretch
her acting limits and preconceived image, but the material's generic tone and prepackaged feel
always seem in the way of the actress' attempts at deeper drama and more emotional and even
heartfelt situations that inevitably and all-too-predictably come like clockwork. Make no mistake,
According to Greta is a solid movie all around, it's just not particularly original or
memorable, two strikes that make an otherwise well-made and nicely acted piece the sort that's
good enough to watch but hardly worthy of additional consideration.
Greta forgot 'suicide run against a heavily-fortified space station.'
This Blu-ray release of According to Greta boasts a wonderful 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. Fine detail is generally exceptional throughout; the rough texture of pavement, Greta's frayed polka dot hat, small cracks and chipped paint around her grandparents' house, and any number of other assorted niceties lend to According to Greta a finely-tuned appearance that sparkles in most every scene. Additionally, the transfer features a good sense of depth, and the image retains its strong clarity and definition both near and far. Though contrast appears slightly boosted, colors are generally pleasing to the eye and not too terribly overblown, and each of the many shades that make up this abundantly colorful film are nicely rendered on Blu-ray. Flesh tones, however, do sometimes take on a reddish appearance, but never to a drastic or otherwise disturbing level. Blacks sometimes appear a slight bit messy and undefined, appearing too bright and unnatural in many darker or nighttime venues. According to Greta does retain a slight layer of grain that completes what is generally a handsome film-like transfer.
According to Greta debuts on Blu-ray with a healthy but not particularly engaging Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Satisfactory within the confines of its limited sound design, According to Greta translates nicely enough to Blu-ray with no discernible hiccups but no noteworthy moments, either. Reserved and clear, the track reproduces music, dialogue, and sound effects with acceptable precision. The surround speakers are used sparsely in support of music and light atmospherics. Chirping birds and distant traffic often lend a tinge of realism to the proceedings, but there are no head-turning or over-pumped effects to speak of. Musical presentations are rather bland, lacking in overpowering volume but offering suitable clarity; a few more aggressive beats do flow more noticeably into the back channels. Also featuring sound dialogue reproduction, According to Greta sounds just fine within its limited confines, and listeners expecting nothing more than a soundtrack that offers the mere essentials should be pleased enough with this effort.
According to Greta's Blu-ray release comes with but a few minor extras. Greta: Behind the Scenes (1080i, 18:39) is a basic piece that touches the surface of the film's themes, explores the performances of the cast with emphasis on Duff's and Burstyn's performances and careers, and examines the contributions of the crew. The piece is assembled with the obligatory interview snippets, clips from the film, and raw behind-the-scenes footage. Also included is a collection of deleted and alternate scenes (1080i, 7:17) and an alternate ending (1080i, 1:34).
A film with purpose but also a narrow audience, According to Greta may find meaning with younger audiences coping with issues similar to those that have come to define the life of its lead character, but viewers watching from a wholly detached perspective will find little beyond the surface that's worth the effort. Actress Hillary Duff delivers a suitably good performance as an issue-ridden teenager, and while her journey is of the paint-by-numbers variety, it still may have merit amongst viewers her age, towards whom the film is geared. This latest Blu-ray release from Starz does the movie justice, sporting a fine 1080p picture quality, a good lossless soundtrack, but only a few filler extras. Worth a rental for fans of the cast or those struggling with problems akin to those plaguing the lead character.
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