6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.1 |
Imagine if one day, out of the blue, your wildest dreams came true. That's exactly what happens to junior executive Larry Burrows when he bumps into a mysterious stranger. Instantly, Larry's ho-hum life becomes his ultimate fantasy -- huge mansion, beautiful wife, cars galore! But before long, his new lifestyle isn't so enchanting.
Starring: Jim Belushi, Linda Hamilton, Michael Caine, Jon Lovitz, Rene RussoComedy | 100% |
Romance | 78% |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
James Belushi has never been an easy guy to cast. In the 1980s, the actor built his career on wiseacre roles, portraying tough and dim guys who were quick with a quip, but he rarely found himself in the arms of the leading lady. 1990’s “Mr. Destiny” was part of an effort to soften Belushi for mass acceptance, watering down his blue collar bluster with a role that required him to play an everyman in a fantasy world. Belushi has been better in different movies, but “Mr. Destiny” turns him into a teddy bear, which is unusual casting, tasking the star to generally go along with co- writer/director James Orr, ditching improvisational instincts to make nice in a film that wants to be loved, going all Capra to secure a sugary viewing experience about a basic human oversight: appreciation.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is another submission from the Disney catalog, working with an older master that's serviceable, but doesn't bring out the freshness of a new scan. Detail is on the soft side, but basic clarity is supplied for facial particulars, eased along by Orr's love of close-ups. Interior decoration is simple to study, and costuming has its fibrous qualities, enjoying period-specific bedazzling and bulkiness. It's a colorful film, giving hues a helping hand, covering brighter primaries and stranger magical elements, including the whiteness of the Spilled Milk drink. Reds are blazing at times. Greenery is appealing. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in good shape, missing any major elements of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a bigger presence for "Mr. Destiny," doing well with dialogue exchanges, which emerge with necessary emphasis and softer romantic intent, never slipping into distortive extremes. Frontal position is defined, with some subtle panning effects. Scoring is also dominant but never oppressive, supporting moods with clear instrumentation. Soundtrack selections are also engaging. Sound effects, such as screeching tires and gunshots, are sharp. Atmospherics are evocative, visiting baseball games and office bustle.
"Mr. Destiny" spirals out of control, with Orr assuming viewers would rather see Larry deal with car chases, a dead dog, and business world sparring than soak in the warmth of a man who suddenly realizes that the life he had was all he really needed. Sweetness is taken out back and beaten with baseball bat, but the feature doesn't entirely lose appeal, held together by Belushi, who does a solid job with straight man posing, credibly selling Larry's panic with some degree of subtlety, leaving laughs to others. The endeavor is also eased along by a fine supporting cast, including Hamilton, who slathers on apple-cheeked charm as Ellen, and Caine plays his part as a total pro, giving his scenes as a magical figure of destiny some pep, also showcasing remarkable confidence with what amounts to be a tiny role. "Mr. Destiny" isn't "It's a Wonderful Life," but it gets reasonably far on intent, with Orr looking to transform Belushi into Jimmy Stewart for 110 minutes, putting the blustery actor in the middle of a fantasy that's largely reliant on his ability to project comedic disbelief and kindness, making it easy to root for a guy who's made a critical mistake, trying to reset all that was lost.
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