7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 3.9 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.9 |
An Iowa farmer hears a voice in his cornfield accompanied by a vision of a baseball field. He takes it as a sign to build a baseball diamond which would ennable Shoeless Joe Jackson of the infamous Chicago "Black" Sox to play ball again.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Gaby Hoffmann, Ray Liotta, Timothy BusfieldSport | 100% |
Family | 52% |
Imaginary | 38% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
BD-Live
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Is this heaven?
The best motion pictures find meaning in not the superficial aspects of the story but rather in the
underlying emotional core that defines the story. The Wrath of Khan
is
a film not about revenge and confrontations in space but rather mankind's struggle with
fundamental concepts such as life, death, youth, and old age. Gran Torino tells
not a
story about a car and an angry old man but rather a tale of the search for understanding,
acceptance, meaning,
purpose, and sacrifice in life. Likewise, Field of Dreams uses baseball as but a staging
ground and analogy for the fundamental human need for bonding, forgiveness, love, and dreams.
The
quintessential metaphorical film, Field of Dreams takes abstract concepts such as
destiny,
magic, and faith and molds them into a tangible reality where dreams come true and, more
importantly, old wounds are healed. Perhaps the perfect movie when considering both the basic
principles of moviemaking and sheer spectacle and enchantment of the entirety of the
experience, Field of Dreams continues to delight and touch some 20 years after its initial
release.
The place where dreams come true.
Universal delivers a solid but unremarkable 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer for Field of Dreams. Though flesh tones exhibit a red push, colors are generally presented with a natural appearance. The green grass of the field or the cornstalks that mark the makeshift outfield wall, the brown dirt, the white farmhouse, Ray's brown leather jacket, and all of the other shades that are seen throughout impress. Detail, too, appears adequate, that same brown leather jacket showcasing the fine lines and wear that give it character. The image never appears wholly three dimensional or completely flat. Grain buzzes about the image with regularity, and blacks tend to impress. Nevertheless, the film sports a slightly processed look but needless to say that, on the whole, it's never looked better for home viewing.
Universal pitches Field of Dreams onto Blu-ray with a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Though not terribly active or powerful, the track delivers a suitably good listen that befits the tone of the film nicely. Horner's score, whether the lighter, more easygoing notes or the deeper, somewhat darker lows that accompany the more magical sequences of the film, all play nicely across the front soundstage, perhaps not quite as clearly as expected but with a robustness and presence that benefits the presentation. Atmospheric effects are generally limited to the front channels, though the occasional sound seeps into the back and plays to a nicely realistic effect. Dialogue -- whether the soft whisper of the mysterious "if you build it" voice or the deep inflections of James Earl Jones -- plays audibly and cleanly through the center channel. Sound effects, too, play as expected, the crack of the bat and the sound of the ball hitting a leather glove never faltering. Though not a track to show off the power of Blu-ray, this one impresses in context.
Universal harvests a dugout full of bonus features for this Blu-ray release of Field of
Dreams. First up is a commentary track with Director Phil Alden Robinson and Director of
Photography John Lindley. The track begins with a discussion of the changes between author
W.P. Kinsella's Shoeless Joe
and
filmed
product. The track plays as gently and innocently as the movie, with a nice selection of
comments
on the score, some of the unrealistic farming techniques seen in the film, the plowing of the corn
and the building of the field, the challenges of shooting at night, Kevin Costner's abilities as a
ballplayer, and much more. On a separate supplement, Alden also delivers video introductions for
a
collection of deleted scenes
(480i, 16:50). From Father to Son: Passing Along the Pastime (480i, 38:41) features
Major League players and managers and cast and crew discussing the themes of the film, the
performances, baseball, family, the film's lasting impact, and more.
Roundtable With Kevin Costner, Bret Saberhagen, George Brett, and Johnny Bench
(480i, 29:56) features the actor and the three former Major Leaguers discussing a broad range
of topics related to baseball and the film. A Diamond in the Husks (480i, 17:41) takes
viewers to the baseball field featured in the film that still exists today as a tourist attraction.
Galena, Il, Pinch Hits for Chisholm, MN (480i, 5:35) takes viewers on a brief guided tour
of Galena. 'Field of Dreams:' A Scrapbook (480i, 1:29:51) offers an extended glimpse
into
the making of the film with a plethora of cast and crew interviews that look into the locations,
the casting, the construction of the field, the history of the Black Sox scandal, the marketing
campaign, the film's success around the world, the film's legacy, and plenty more. Bravo
Special: From Page to Screen (480i, 46:06) examines the process of bringing the novel to
the big screen. Finally, the film's theatrical trailer (480i, 2:24) rounds out this collection of
extras.
Magical, meaningful, and entertaining, Field of Dreams holds up like few other films, its messages on the importance of faith, forgiveness, destiny, and love both timeless and rich, messages that know not the boundaries of time or place. Nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture, and supported by a dazzling soundtrack and fine acting, Field of Dreams is a film to treasure for a lifetime. Universal's Blu-ray release of this contemporary classic bests previous home video outings. Featuring a fairly good 1080p video transfer, an adequate lossless soundtrack, and a fine selection of bonus materials, fans should have no reservations about adding this disc to the roster. Highly recommended.
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