Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

D.A.R.Y.L. 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 2, 2024

In many ways, Steven Spielberg dominated the entertainment industry in the 1980s. He made blockbusters that delighted all audiences, and even scored a global sensation with the release of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” scoring huge box office and launching a wave of similar productions, with other producers trying to capture the hearts and minds of kid audiences flocking to multiplexes. 1985’s “D.A.R.Y.L.” isn’t a Spielberg endeavor, but it’s certainly taking advantage of the mogul’s moviemaking triumphs, presenting a tale of a young robotic boy and his quest to live a regular life with his adoptive family and mischievous best friend. Director Simon Wincer (“Free Willy,” “Quigley Down Under”) hopes to blend danger and heartwarming relationships with the effort, which is pushed along by entertaining reveals in its first hour, getting to understand the child’s computer abilities and his interactions with human caretakers. “D.A.R.Y.L.” stumbles some in its last act, which turns the feature into a more action-packed offering, but the gentleness of the picture supports an enjoyable viewing experience.

With the help of caretakers, Daryl (Barret Oliver) has been pulled out of his military base home, finding his way into the foster care system. He’s a 10-year-old child with no memory of his past, soon put into the home of Joyce (Mary Beth Hurt) and Andy (Michael McKean), who are desperate to be parents. What the loving guardians don’t know is Daryl’s origin as a robotic creation, with his superpowered brain making him capable of precise problem solving, thrilling the community. Joined by best friend Turtle (Danny Corkill), Daryl begins to enjoy his new life and human connections, but the military isn’t done with him, inspiring Dr. Stewart (Josef Sommer), the boy’s original developer, to make contact, amazed with the robot’s progress and the unexpected development of human emotions.

“D.A.R.Y.L.” is bookended by chase sequences, sustaining a level of unease around the eponymous character as he’s often put into the middle of conflict. His introduction is presented as a mystery, pulled out of a tough situation by those who care for his safety, led into the foster care system for safekeeping, offered a backstory of memory loss to cover for his odd behavior. However, he’s not a damaged kid. Daryl is a robot, and the writing provides a fun series of computer challenges for the new kid on the block, who quickly masters a game of “Pole Position” and brings Andy to the brink of ecstasy when he reveals his baseball skills. “D.A.R.Y.L.” plays up the oddity, dealing with Little League challenges and piano lessons with Joyce, and Daryl’s information limitations are identified, finding the child baffled by the term “hooker,” a word Turtle uses to describe his sister.

“D.A.R.Y.L.” finds its rhythm while in suburbia, offering surprises with the boy’s actions and reactions as he tries to learn more about being a real kid, including testing his way with rebellion. There’s also room for adult concern, finding Joyce frustrated with Daryl’s perfect ways, limiting her parental experience. It’s a nice balance of characterization and discovery, and there’s room made for kid-sized high jinks with Turtle, helping to form a pre-teen bond. “D.A.R.Y.L.” switches gears for the last act, bringing in Dr. Stewart, who represents the concerns of science, trying to keep his creation away from military hands, with the Department of Defense looking to manufacture super-soldiers. The tone of the feature changes, and not in the right direction, losing the intimacy of family life for a collection of escape challenges that eats up a large portion of the movie

D.A.R.Y.L. 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"D.A.R.Y.L." comes to UHD, listed as "presented in HDR and newly restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The viewing experience remains outstandingly film-like, with heavier but well resolved grain. Detail is preserved, delivering an appealing look at skin particulars on the cast, who offer a wide range of age. Costuming is fibrous. Suburban exteriors and science lab tours retain depth, and interiors secure decorative additions, especially when the story moves into control rooms and living spaces. Color is alert, with a warmer tones for family life, and greenery is distinct. Primaries are crisp, doing well with period fashion and domestic style. Colder hues are found with military events. Blacks are deep, preserving evening events and shadow play. Whiteness is also distinct during sterile moments of medical inspection. Highlights are tasteful. Source is in good condition. Some "rolling" visual distortion is found during the climatic car chase. It's mild and brief but present, more distinct during darker night shots, away from police lights.

D.A.R.Y.L. 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix (listed as the "original English stereo soundtrack") delivers a powerful understanding of the "D.A.R.Y.L." listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are precise, securing softer emotional moments and more heated exchanges in the finale. Scoring is fresh, with clear instrumentation and position, often delivering warm orchestra swells. Sound effects are sharp and active, and "D.A.R.Y.L." is fond of using shock moments to jolt listeners. Atmospherics are appreciable, with crowd bustle for baseball events and research facility movement.

D.A.R.Y.L. 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (42 pages) contains essays by Michelle Kisner and Albert Birney.

• Commentary features director Simon Wincer.

• "Rescued from the Scrapyard" (54:32, HD) is a making of, featuring interviews with director Simon Wincer, co-producer Gabrielle Kelly, writers Alan Scott and David Ambrose, costume designer Shay Cunliffe, visual effects supervisor Michael Fink, supervising editor Adrian Carr, and film music historian Jeff Bond. Screenplay origins are recalled, with Kelly meeting Jeffrey Ellis in a copy shop, introduced to a writer in need of exposure. "D.A.R.Y.L." was soon brought to life, finding producer support in John Heyman and more depth through rewrites. Reworked into a "Pinocchio" story, the material was hammered into shape, with Scott taking credit for the acronym title. Pre-production is explored, with the crew working on a tight schedule, starting in January for a June release. Casting is celebrated, finding Wincer connecting with his players, using their special thespian skills and identifying richer characterization. Locations are identified, with control center scenes filmed at Disney World, and England was used for sets. Visual effects are analyzed, and editorial achievements are identified, with Carr managing mistakes and additions, including a fresh opening for the feature. Musical offerings from composer Marvin Hamlisch are honored. And the theatrical release of "D.A.R.Y.L." is mourned, with the endeavor killed by poor marketing and tough competition, only to rise again as a cult title for generations of young viewers.

• Image Gallery (:41) collects video art, film stills, and publicity shots.

• T.V. Spots (1:12, SD) provide two commercials for "D.A.R.Y.L."

• And a Video Trailer (1:46, SD) and a Theatrical Trailer (3:11, SD) are included.

D.A.R.Y.L. 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"D.A.R.Y.L." goes from family business to visual effects in its last act, muting its early intent to be a somewhat tender study of belonging for the robot boy. Thrills are prioritized by the production, and Wincer gets to a certain level of excitement, but overkill starts to set in once the fight takes to the skies in a superpowered jet. The grand finale doesn't fully connect to the domestic experience of the first hour, but "D.A.R.Y.L." doesn't collapse, remaining charming with its study of A.I. need. Performances are spot-on, finding Oliver hitting all the right notes in the leading role, and scoring by Marvin Hamlisch carries a Williams-esque tone, accentuating the Spielberg-ian atmosphere of the endeavor, which, in select moments, handles with authority.