7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A father recounts a dark period of his childhood when he and his little brother lived in the suburbs.
Starring: Lorraine Bracco, John Heard, Adam Baldwin, Elijah Wood, Joseph MazzelloDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Released in 2010, the book “You’re the Director…You Figure It Out: The Life and Films of Richard Donner” provides real insight into the mind of the successful filmmaker. He’s touched greatness on multiple occasions, guiding “Superman,” “Lethal Weapon,” and “The Goonies,” and he’s enjoyed his share of misfires, including box office disappointments “Inside Moves” and “Ladyhawke.” The biography (written by James Christie) paints a specific portrait of Donner in the early 1990s, with the creative force hungry for a meaningful, dramatically ambitious hit after years overseeing blockbusters. “Radio Flyer” was meant to be such an opportunity. Handed control of the project after David Mickey Evans (who also scripted the high profile undertaking) wasn’t delivering the goods as a first-time moviemaker, Donner was suddenly in command of a story that dared to merge the magical pursuits of childhood with the real-world horrors of abuse, dealing with a tonal challenge unlike anything he’s encountered before. He poured his heart and soul into the endeavor, only to see it destroyed in test screenings, trashed by critics, and dumped by the studio. The loss floored Donner, but “Radio Flyer” has managed to acquire something of a fanbase, with those sensitive to the director’s earnest intent able to embrace all the shortcomings of the picture, and celebrate its unnervingly accurate read of resilient juvenile energy.
The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation appears to be sourced from an older master of "Radio Flyer," but not a terrible one. The viewing experience offers stylish cinematography, with finer points of focus and haze protected. Close-ups are acceptable, surveying emotional responses and makeup work, and costuming keeps some sense of softer sweaters and dirty denim. Special effects also retain compelling surfaces, with the fuzzy fur of the buffalo and his wet, teary face. Colors are satisfactory, with period pinks and reds. Exteriors secure a feel for the golden glow of childhood adventures, and greenery registers as intended. Skintones are natural. It's a darker picture, and delineation remains largely communicative, with a few areas of solidification. Source is in strong condition.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix maintains a respectable balance of elements, with "Radio Flyer" often relying on non-stop scoring to help sell its intended moods of childhood whimsy and grim reality. Instrumentation is strong, offering a full orchestral push through the feature's highs and lows. Dialogue exchanges are comfortable with only a few fuzzier highs, finding emotionality landing as expected, while overlapping chatter between the kids is easy to follow. Atmospherics register with outdoor expanse and interior room tone, and sound effects are lively, with a slightly wider position, offering gentle panning effects.
Controversy greets the conclusion of "Radio Flyer," which ends on an interpretive note, electing to go ambiguous with a life or death situation. There are clues to follow in the writing to find a way to a realistic resolution for Bobby and Mike, but Donner commits to a brighter sense of amazement, which is startling, but it comes from a sincere place in the helmer's heart, as he's clearly fallen in love with his characters, trying to communicate a position of childlike possibility in a dire situation of survival. "Radio Flyer" isn't a complete creative success, but it's one of Donner's more interesting endeavors, delivering behavioral precision within a plot that concerns the mysteries and protection of denial. Donner isn't exploitative, and he just can't bear to go where Evans leads at times, and while the movie becomes a little muddled because of such hesitation, it's hard to argue the filmmaker's passion for the project.
1983
2004
1917
2002
2014
2010
2015
2005
2014
2016
2002
2011
2009
2008
2006
2022
2019
2015
Unedited Version
2011
2006