5.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.8 |
Right before his wedding, an uptight guy is tricked into driving his grandfather, a perverted former Army general, to Florida for spring break.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Deutch, Aubrey Plaza, Jason MantzoukasComedy | 100% |
Dark humor | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 1.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
Note: The following review was originally published when the initial Blu-ray release of Dirty Grandpa came out. Also note that
the 4K UHD disc features the supposedly tamer theatrical cut of the film which clocks in some eight minutes shorter than the Unrated cut
(included on the 1080p Blu-ray).
Was Robert De Niro seriously underpaid in his early career? This now iconic, even legendary, actor, perceived as certainly one of the finest of
his generation if not the finest, has a filmography that has so many classic films in it it’s almost an embarrassment of riches. Mean Streets. The Godfather: Part II. Taxi Driver. The Deer
Hunter. Raging Bull. GoodFellas. And that’s just through 1990, though truth be told starting with that
tempestuous decade, the quality of De Niro’s projects started taking at least a noticeable decline which some curmudgeons may aver has
reached precipitous levels by this second decade of the 21st century. Looking at De Niro’s oeuvre in the post-1990 timeframe can
turn up a number of interesting, maybe even great (or at least pretty good), films, but most objective analysts would probably agree that De
Niro seems to be into paycheck accrual more than quality offerings or even substantially challenging acting opportunities at this point. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The Fan.
Meet the Fockers. Last Vegas. Hardly a list to equal the first one, at least by most folks’ estimation,
but even the questionable blandishments of the foregoing “lesser” De Niro offerings will seem like a banquet of cinematic superiority when
thrust up against the horrifying blandness that is Dirty Grandpa, a film that is certainly at, or at least near, the nadir of De Niro’s
output.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080p Blu-ray.
Dirty Grandpa is presented on 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 2.40:1. Digitally captured with Arri Alexa XTs and
finished at a 2K DI (according to the IMDb), Dirty Grandpa does show some agreeable upticks in fine detail and palette differentiation and
saturation in this 4K version, but it also falls victim to the occasional noisiness that sometimes tends to afflict Lionsgate 4K UHD releases. Once again
there doesn't really seem to be an identifiable reason why any given scene might suddenly look noisier than its "neighbors", but there are at least a
couple of weird looking moments here, including at around 8:28 when Jason finds Dick naked in Dick's house. Later the same sort of swarm like
looking backgrounds invade the jail scene that begins at around 41:50. Otherwise, though, detail levels are quite pleasing throughout, and the palette
really pops extermely well in the many outdoor scenes. There are a number of fun new highlights in the palette courtesy of Dolby Vision, like the red
seats in a diner booth, the
purple on Dick's shirt late in the film or the yellow sweater Jason wears for much of the film. FIne detail on elements like the matching checked suit
jackets the grandfather and grandson wear also look more precise in this version.
Perhaps surprisingly, Dirty Grandpa has been granted a sonic upgrade to Dolby Atmos for this release, and with the film's use of perky source cues, there's good engagement of all the surround channels, even if it's arguable how much the Atmos channels really add to the mix (no pun intended). The film has the best audio immersion in some of the more chaotic scenes, like the big party sequence, but even in some of the "quieter" (a relative term with regard to this film) moments, there's good placement of ambient environmental effects, as in the golf course scene. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout the presentation, and there are no problems of any kind to report.
Unless it was hiding somewhere, I didn't see the Audio Commentary listed on the 4K UHD disc. Otherwise, Lionsgate has ported over the rest of the supplements from the 1080p Blu-ray version:
If our Forum is any indication, Dirty Grandpa does indeed have a devoted fanbase, and this release may well be welcomed by them. Video here encounters occasional hurdles, but the Atmos audio sounds great.
2011
2016
2014
2013-2014
2011
Unrated & Unapologetic
2009
The Rougher Morning Edition
2017
2011
2015
Mastered in 4K
2013
2018
2013
Enlarged Edition w/ Extended Cut
2011
2016
2015
Totally Irresponsible Edition
2011
2017
2018
2015
2016