7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
John and Jenny Grogan, a young couple contemplating the decision to have a baby. Then came Marley...an adorable Labrador pup who flunks obedience school and quickly turns his new home into a disaster area. But as mischievous Marley sees the Grogans through the ups and downs of life and love, they ultimately realize that “the world’s worst dog” truly brings out the best in them.
Starring: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin, Kathleen TurnerComedy | 100% |
Romance | 59% |
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
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional)
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (1 BD, 2 DVDs)
Digital copy (on disc)
DVD copy
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
2005 marked the publication of journalist John Grogan’s non-fiction memoir, Marley and Me. The book surprised critics when it became a national bestseller, capturing the hearts of dog-lovers across the United States with its whimsical recounting of the author’s family’s life with an incorrigible Labrador Retriever. Marley’s antics had long been a focal point of Mr. Grogan’s Florida newspaper column; his bizarre behavior, unique canine personality and affectionate nature had won over local readers well before the subsequent book had ever even been envisioned. 2008 saw the release of Marley & Me, the long awaited film version of the book. Sporting an all-star cast and enough dog-related cuteness to win over the most hardened pessimist, the film was a huge hit in theaters around the globe. Now, Fox brings this heartwarming tale to Blu-ray with a unique assembly of extras as well as a digital and DVD copies of the film.
This scene is worthless without puppies.
As a family film, Marley & Me doesn't inhabit a genre that is particularly well
known for producing stunning cinematographic content. While the film hardly breaks any
new ground or pushes the limits of existing photographic technique, Cinematographer
Florian Ballhaus has given the film a warm, sunny look that enhances the flick's sweet-
natured disposition.
Fox has graced the film with an AVC Mpeg-4 transfer at 1080p, while maintaining the
movie's intended 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The results are pleasing, easy on the eyes and
generally unremarkable. Contrast is above average and the film's golden hued color
scheme boasts impressive saturation. Detail is well preserved and a film-like presentation is
maintained throughout the feature. This Blu-ray transfer is completely free of any
distracting digital artifacts and avoids excessive noise reduction or edge enhancement.
Marley & Me looks about as perfect as one could ever hope on Blu-ray.
Recommended!
If the sound of a frolicking puppy is your idea of compelling audio content, then you will probably be ecstatic with the surround presentation of Marley & Me. Fox has dished out yet another pleasing 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio presentation that accurately recreates the theater experience, while adding the expanded dynamics that lossless encoding provides. Marley & Me features relatively straightforward sound design; the front channels are dominant and support the vast majority of the film, while subtle ambient cues occasionally add depth from the surround channels. Dialogue, the film's primary audio component, is firmly rooted in the center channel; the film's musical score resides exclusively in the left and right front channels. For what it is, it sounds crystal clear and without any level of distortion or hiss. Fox has brought Marley & Me home in as perfect a form as possible.
Here's what's included:
- "Finding Marley"
- "Breaking the Golden Rule"
- "When not to Pee"
- Deleted Scenes
- On the Set with Marley: A Dog of all Trades
- Animal Adoption
- Gag Reel
Marley & Me arrives on Blu-ray with a fair number of bonus features that manage
to shed a small amount of light on the film's production. Fox has also included both a digital
copy of the film as well as a complete movie-only DVD copy, marking the studio's first ever
DVD/Blu-ray combo package. The set's extras focus primarily on Marley himself; there's a lot
of information on finding the right dog for the part, Marley's antics on the set and the cast's
reaction to said antics. Those who just can't get enough of the film's canine star will likely
be thrilled. Nineteen deleted scenes are also included, along with the obligatory gag reel.
Finally, there's a nice featurette included that focuses on the importance of animal adoption;
a worthy subject that will find a willing audience among fans of the film.
Okay, I'll admit it, I enjoyed Marley & Me, a sweet movie that is guaranteed to touch the heart of anyone who has ever enjoyed the company of a family pet. What else would anyone expect? It's a movie about a dog that enriches the lives of a couple and becomes their surrogate child as they struggle with having a child of their own. It's certainly not Shakespeare, but it does do an effective job of telling a lighthearted story through charming performances, a really cute dog and subject matter that most anyone can relate to. Fox has presented the film accurately, with a pleasing 1080p transfer and well placed audio. The film's supplements leave something to be desired, but are still enjoyable. All in all, Marley & Me is an enjoyable and heartfelt bit of theatrical escapism that is sure to please all but the biggest cynics. Recommended.
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