5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Robert Axle, an eccentric inventor turned ego maniacal infomercial guru, loses it all when one of his inventions maims thousands of customers. After 8 years in maximum security prison, Axle is ready to redeem his name and rebuild his billion dollar empire. But first he must convince his estranged 22 year old daughter to let him live with her and her quirky, over protective roommates.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Camilla Belle, Heather Graham, Johnny Knoxville, Anna SchaferDrama | 100% |
Comedy | 40% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
It’s not always the kids that get lost.
It's not always the big dollar action movies, the raunchy summer comedies, or the digital kid's fare that make for the best movies. Sometimes, it's the
movie
with the biggest heart, the most honest story, the closest connection to reality that makes not only the best entertainment, but the most meaningful
cinema. One such movie is Father of Invention, a little semi-obscure Comedy/Drama that really touches the heart. Its about real people with
real problems, good people with troubled pasts looking for a clean break from yesterday with an eye towards the future. It's about finding not what
makes them rich, but what makes them whole. It's a movie that might border on the fantastical but nevertheless remains firmly grounded and very
relatable. It's a slice-of-life movie with good values and a big heart, a story of personal redemption that speaks on the real value of family and the true
worth of real personal wealth.
Rearranging priorities.
Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Father of Invention cranks out a solid all-around 1080p transfer. The image is richly clear and naturally vibrant. Colors are great; they're bold and exciting throughout the entire palette, whether Robert's company's bright blue backdrop, the yellow of a taxicab, Family Mart's mustard-colored employee vests, or the many colorful odds and ends found throughout that store. Fine detail is just as strong. Skin and clothing textures are of a high quality, while various building façades, the worn and tattered walls in Claire's home, the accumulated dirt on Robert's face after his departure from prison, or again the clarity of the many objects around the Family Mart store, are superb. The image is wonderfully stable and handsome; even the digital photography presents no real problems in the areas of banding or excess glossiness. Black levels are rich and accurate. Blocking, noise, and other unwanted intrusions are largely absent. This is a nice looking release from Anchor Bay.
Father of Invention's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack is structurally generic, but the presentation is more than satisfactory. There's just not much going on here. Music is suitably clear and spacious, enjoying fair surround support. Minor ambience -- chirping birds, passing traffic, or light background chatter at a party -- is handled adequately and without major flaw. The track offers a nicely full and immersing effect when an auditorium of people applaud near the end of the movie, making for what is probably the sonic highlight of the entire presentation. Dialogue remains center-based and always clear. There's nothing memorable about this presentation; the movie uses its soundtrack only as a necessary support structure. Anchor Bay's track nevertheless conveys what little the movie has to offer with the utmost clarity and precision.
Father of Invention contains only the featurette The Making of 'Father of Invention' (480p, 14:05).
Father of Invention, pardon the pun, just works. The movie is tender and goodhearted. Its message is simple but finely worked into an interesting plot, supported by a strong character arc and a wonderful little performance by Kevin Spacey. His supporting cast is good, but he and his character make the movie what it is. It's borderline family-friendly for its good morals and emphasis on the importance of family, but there are some adult situations and themes that don't lessen the movie but might slightly shrink its potential audience. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Father of Invention yields strong video and audio but contains only one supplement. This is a movie worth adding to the collection, but given its relative lack of extras, it's probably wise to wait until it's placed on a good sale.
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