Fastball Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Fastball Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 31, 2016

Baseball is a game of patience and timing, but it’s also a test of power. “Fastball” is a documentary about the titular pitching style, with director Jonathan Hock exploring the history of sporting velocity, attempting to summarize a century-long obsession with speed. Gathering famous player, scientists, and fans (and bringing in Kevin Costner to provide narration), Hock reflects on the particulars of pitchers, their philosophies and training, while inspecting the pursuit of the “world’s hardest thrower,” breaking down the fastball into segments for study.

Specificity is an asset to “Fastball,” which largely does away with an overview of baseball and its eccentricities, choosing to single out pitching as subject. Scale is sacrificed, but Hock emerges with a fresh take on an old game, on a quest to highlight men who threw with unrivaled ferocity, blending pure skill with bits of theatricality to transform into legends. Interviewees include Justin Verlander, Nolan Ryan, Rich “Goose” Gossage, Hank Aaron, and Derek Jeter, with each player sharing personal stories and humorous fears when facing top pitchers, some with better control than others.

Fastball Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a clean and crisp viewing experience with an HD-shot feature, offering interview footage that's rich with detail, picking up all the creases on weathered faces. Colors are consistent and sharp, bringing out natural skintones and greenery, while clothing provides more varied hues. Delineation is secure. Banding is periodically encountered.

Fastball Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't big on expanse, remaining largely frontal as it details interview footage, finding participants crisp and emotive. Atmospherics offer some surround presence, filling out the bigness of ballparks and crowds. Scoring isn't memorable, but offered without discomfort, delivering instrumentation and respectful placement. Low-end is minimal at best.

Fastball Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Extended Interviews (31:15, HD) continues the discussion with a handful of players, offering uncut thoughts on special pitchers and the psychological requirements of baseball.

• Outtakes (2:23, HD) returns to players such as George Brett, Joe Morgan, and Tony Gwynn, who trade anecdotes at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

• "Steve Dalkowski Extended Scene" (11:42, HD) provides a more in-depth study of the documentary's most somber subject.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:07, HD) is included.

Fastball Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Fastball" explores the pressure that shadows "closers," tracks the development of speed measurement over the last century, and highlights gifted pitchers who didn't make the professional impact they were expected to. "Fastball" is sharply constructed and surprisingly gentle at times, but it's largely powered by awe and humor, celebrating special sporting skills with visual evidence and engaging tales from the dugout, making sure the viewer walks away with an understanding of the subject matter and a new appreciation for baseball miracles.