5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
An irreverent talk show host runs for President—and wins.
Starring: Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, Lewis Black, Jeff GoldblumComedy | 100% |
Romance | 37% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Barry Levinson directs Man of the Year like a man who knows his subject and his star. In 1997 he released the satirical Political film Wag the Dog about a manufactured war created to cover up a scandal, while a decade earlier he directed Star Robin Williams in the hit film Good Morning, Vietnam. Man of the Year stars Williams as an unlikely Presidential candidate, and eventual winner, elected by chance rather than choice, by malfunctioning computer rather than masterful campaigning. It’s witty and sometimes smart, if not a bit generic in the whole “everyone is sick of the left-right paradigm” angle. Unfortunately, the picture deteriorates in the second half into a bland Thriller-light with little meat to offer audiences hungry for a fresh take on a tired subject.
Man of the Year's Blu-ray will appeal to a wide base of viewers, offering a fundamentally sound 1080p picture. The image is generally pleasant. Grain is retained, looking a little snowy throughout, a tad sharp, but complimentary of the picture's filmic roots and reinforcing the innate clarity in evidence throughout. Sharpness is never in question; details are firm and sure, with close-ups offering intimate revelatory nuances across faces, clothes, and locations alike. Colors are a bit less dramatic, lacking the precision depth and detail one might expect to find. Contrast seems dialed down slightly, leaving colors looking a little flat and pale, blacks a little lighter than ideal at times, and the movie often finding an airy, sometimes maybe even gauzy appearance. Even the boldest reds and blues show up looking a tad bit depressed and flat. Contrarily, there are times when black levels seem to push a little too hard. The picture is more than serviceable in sum but seems lacking a bit in some areas.
Man of the Year's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack yields a fruitful, expressive listen. The track is well rounded in all ways. Music presents widely and aggressively, particularly across the front but also, prominently, through the rears as well. It maintains impressive clarity even in the most ambitious of presentation requirements. Surrounds additionally carry crowd din and applause, the latter often very prominent and well detailed even in the most raucous responses to Dobbs' antics, whether as a comedian or as a candidate. The track offers plenty of energy during a campaign montage around the 33-minute mark, perfectly balancing energetic music, high impact and immersive crowd noise, and Dobbs' impassioned speech. It's arguably the sonic highlight throughout the film, proving its vitality and unflinching expertise. Lighter atmospherics are always nicely ingrained into the track and delivered without fault. Dialogue, whether intimate conversations or shouts at a political rally or debate, emanate firmly from the center, boasting solid prioritization and lifelike clarity.
Man of the Year contains two featurettes. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.
Man of the Year plays very well to start but stumbles once the tone shifts darker. The two ends don't mesh together very well, and when Williams is forced to downplay the humor in favor of the corporate intrigue, the movie loses its charm and appeal. But Williams is great to start and the movie does put him in good company, supported by strong work from people like Laura Linney, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Walken. Sony's Blu-ray is fairly good. Video is fine but could seemingly be a bit better. Audio is the technical highlight. A couple of extras are also included. Recommended.
2019
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