7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.
Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Ser'Darius Blain, Dennis Quaid, Adam BaldwinSport | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
American Underdog tells a story that is ostensibly true and unique to the life of football star Kurt Warner (played by Zachary Levi in the film), but that doesn't necessarily mean you haven't seen it before, at least in its broadest outlines. This is yet another tale about unexpected victory on the sports field, as well as certain emotional maturation that has to take place to help assure that victory, all within the context of what might be generically termed "Christian cinema". But here's where things get kind of interesting, at least in a "meta" sense: Anna Paquin, who portrays Kurt's wife Brenda, is on hand in some interviews included as supplements that she is not a "believer" in any way, shape, or form, which Paquin insists did not color her characterization of the apparently very devout Brenda, but which is nonetheless a rather bracingly honest thing for an actress tasked with depicting someone with a profound faith to go on record admitting. Also in the at least slightly unexpected category is the bantering and kind of deprecatory (both self and aimed elsewhere) senses of humor of both Zachary Levi and the real Kurt Warner, both of whom are also on hand in the supplements (Kurt and Brenda Warner co-produced the film), something that may at least give the perception that this particular "congregation" (so to speak) doesn't take itself too seriously, all things considered.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.
American Underdog is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. Captured with a variety of Arri Alexa
models and finished at 4K, at least according to some online data (which I have not been able to independently verify, for those who care about such
things), this is a sharp and well detailed looking presentation, at least within the context of a "down to earth" story that doesn't offer a bunch of
opportunities for mind blowing CGI and/or other bells and whistles. This therefore may not be a presumed candidate for "must see in 4K" territory, but
it actually shows some nice upticks in fine detail if not a wealth of palette differentiation from the 1080 version. The 1080 disc offered abundant fine
detail levels a lot of the time, and those are duplicated and arguably improved in 4K, with some of the more peripatetic football scenes offering better
clarity and general detail levels. HDR and/or Dolby Vision really didn't change things in any huge way in my considered opinion, though there is
arguably more pop to some of the brighter colors like the purple uniforms of the University of Northern Iowa. On the plus side, shadow detail is
marginally better in this version in some of the more dimly lit material, like the sequences featuring the bar where Kurt and Brenda first meet.
American Underdog features an intermittently propulsive Dolby Atmos track, but as even Brenda Warner mentions, this may not be a "sports movie" as much as a personal story, and as such, there's quite a bit of quieter dialogue material here where surround activity tends to be limited to ambient environmental effects. The football sequences offer a good deal more immersion and tend to be where the Atmos channels are most effectively employed, especially in terms of some of the wash of crowd sounds which subsume the players. This therefore may not be the most consistently "showy" Atmos track I've listened to, but it offers generally nice surround activity within a somewhat limited sound design context. Dialogue is presented cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are available.
Both the 2160 and 1080 discs contained in this package offer the same slate of supplements:
If many will find this heartwarming tale viscerally touching due to the hard earned success of Kurt Warner and the struggles he and Brenda endured separately and together, I reacted emotionally to the story for a somewhat different reason, since it prominently features the University of Northern Iowa, an institution an Uncle of mine taught at for decades (I still have some wonderful cousins in and around Cedar Falls, Iowa, where the university is located). That specificity may of course be lacking for many viewers, but in its place is a universality of message about stick-to-it-iveness (professionally and personally) that I'm absolutely positive will resonate with many, even those who couldn't care less what a Super Bowl is, or who in fact may consider themselves not particularly "faith based", a la Anna Paquin. Technical merits are solid, though the 4K UHD disc's improvements in video quality may not be especially profound. The supplements are very enjoyable and American Underdog comes Recommended.
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