7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
The tale of three lost men--Johnny "Red" Pollard, a young man whose spirit has been broken; Charle Howard, a millionaire who lost everything; and Tom Smith, a cowboy whose world was vanishing--who found each other and discovered hope in a down-and-out racehorse named Seabiscuit, who took them and the nation on the ride of a lifetime.
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Gary StevensHistory | 100% |
Sport | 71% |
Drama | 65% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS 5.1
Latin American Spanish.
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
You don't throw a whole life away just because he's banged up a little.
Rags-to-riches. A Cinderella story. The tale of an underdog. No matter the moniker,
Seabiscuit defines the very essence of the age-old tale of triumph over the odds, of
proving
the world wrong, and by doing so, giving to it a hero. Perhaps the perfect horse at the perfect
time,
the undersized Seabiscuit gave hope to little guys everywhere, his entire life story inspiring to
show
that no matter what life may have in store, the power of the spirit to overcome can conquer all.
Seabiscuit tells the great American tale, the dream embodied not in a man but in a
four-legged beast that gave purpose to those closest to him and hope to his fans. Admired not
for
his stature or even his speed but rather for his heart, his never-say-die attitude, for his ability to
overcome all obstacles, the horse became a champion for opportunity, for hopes, and for dreams
at
a time when every depressed and downtrodden American needed him the most.
Down the stretch they come!
Seabiscuit's gorgeous cinematography and lavish production values come to life on this splendid 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer from Universal. Oozing colors, the film features a complete color palette that displays each hue with a richness and realism that is matched by precious few other releases. Whether the lavish greens of the wide-open spaces seen throughout the film, the brown dirt of the racetrack, the blue skies, or the red and white uniform worn by both Seabiscuit and his jockey, the transfer revels in breathtaking color. Detail is superb, too; close-up shots of horses reveal each fine hair, and everyday objects -- a tattered wooden fence or the doodads scattered about Tick Tock McGlaughlin's braodcast booth -- shine. Blacks are inky and true, and flesh tones appear stable and natural. The image appears crystal-clear and incredibly sharp in most every scene. Minimal grain is visible at normal viewing distances, but the transfer nevertheless takes on an impressive, film-like quality. Seabiscuit makes for another fabulous transfer from Universal.
Seabiscuit races onto Blu-ray with a powerful DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Most impressive are the many sequences featuring running horses. Whether on the empty green plains or around the dirt racetracks, the power of the animals never fails to impress, the rumbling of the hooves delivering plenty of heart-pounding lows throughout the soundstage. Music, too, impresses with definition and crystal-clear presentation, and whether low-key tones or swelling, dramatic notes, the soundtrack brings the score to life and lends to it a realistic, pleasing air. Ambient effects shine, too, whether in quiet outdoor country shots or inside the bustling, loud racetrack where fans scream and cheer in every direction, the soundstage often places listeners in the midst of the action. Completed by strong dialogue reproduction, Seabiscuit's lossless soundtrack shines in every scene.
Seabiscuit trots onto Blu-ray with a stable full of extras. Headlining the set is a
feature-length commentary track with Director Gary Ross and Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh.
Heavy on the themes of the film, their discussion hints on importance of setting up the time
period, creating an emotional undertone, and the changing times reflected in the technological
advancements of the period, but also speaking on filmmaking techniques and the personalities of
the actors.
Bringing the Legend to Life: The Making of 'Seabiscuit' (480p, 15:06) is a rather
standard piece that intercuts footage from the film, behind-the-scenes clips, and interviews with
cast and crew as they discuss the horses used in the film, the sets, shooting the racing
sequences, the themes of the film, and more. Anatomy of a Movie Moment (480p,
4:45) looks at how Director Gary Ross assembled the film, paying special attention to an early,
tragic scene from the film. 'Seabiscuit:' Racing Through History (480p, 14:53) looks at
the place of horse racing throughout American history, the danger of the sport, the bond
between man and animal, and more.
Next up is Photo Finish: Jeff Bridges' On-the-Set Photographs (480p, 5:21), a collection
of the actors photos set to music and behind-the-scenes banter. The Longshot (480p,
3:17) takes a brief look at the history of the Buick through a mock vintage news piece.
Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral" The 1938 Match Race (480p, 2:12) allows viewers to watch
the actual race from 1938. Winner's Circle: The Heroes Behind the Legend (480p,
20:15) looks at
how each of the primary actors -- Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Gary Stevens,
Elizabeth Banks, Kingston DuCooeur, William H. Macy, and the film's narrator, David McClullough
(who, in a manner of speaking, plays the "everyman" to whom Seabiscuit meant the most)
-- played the parts and reflect the people they portrayed in the film. HBO First Look
(480p, 13:02) is another standard making-of piece that features clips form the film and
interviews with the cast and crew. The True Story of Seabiscuit (480p, 45:12) is an
A&E-produced feature that looks at the horse's famed history. Concluding the bonus
materials is BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) functionality.
Both an uplifting tale of drive, purpose, and character and a technically superior film, Seabiscuit makes for one of the better feel-good movies of the decade. Wonderfully shot, lavishly designed, well acted, and thematically sound, the picture encapsulates fine moviemaking and holds up remarkably well to repeat viewings. Universal's Blu-ray release dazzles. Featuring reference-quality video, a superior lossless soundtrack, and a wealth of bonus features, Blu-ray aficionados should not pull back on the reigns but instead pony up the dough to add this one to the stable. Highly recommended.
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