7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
This comedic and touching family film follows the adventures of a shy young boy who is sent to spend the summer with his eccentric uncles. At first shocked by his uncles' unconventional behavior that includes ordering African lions through the mail, the boy soon becomes enthralled with unraveling the mystery that has followed the uncles for years. Hearing tales of their exotic adventures involving kidnapped princesses, Arabian sheiks and lost treasure, not only brings him closer to his uncles but also teaches him what it means to believe in something... whether it's true or not.
Starring: Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Haley Joel Osment, Kyra Sedgwick, Nicky KattComedy | 100% |
Family | 97% |
Adventure | 21% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 6.1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 2.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
It would be easy to breeze past Secondhand Lions, leaving it behind in search of meatier catalog fare. But that would be a mistake. Don't get me wrong, I know it looks like a saccharine family film loaded with heartstrings and life lessons -- that's exactly what it is -- but its sweet-natured sense of humor, strong veteran performances, period setting, and affectionate spirit help it stand apart from similar genre drivel. And even though it's a film that will resonate with some far more than others, particularly those raised by absentee parents or elderly relatives, it has broader appeal, tapping into filmfans' childhood memories of everything from pantomimed swashbuckling to the original Indiana Jones trilogy, from restless summers to Old Yeller. If it sounds like I'm mounting a defense of what many will consider to be a contrived, coming-of-age tearjerker, it's because I am. But sometimes I grow weary of my own cinematic cynicism. Sometimes it's refreshing to approach a film as I would have when I was fourteen. Sometimes it's nice to simply sit back, sink in, and enjoy a charming tale for what it is.
Every kid needs a lion...
Slathered with enough DNR to route a small army, Secondhand Lions' 1080p/VC-1 encode bears a striking resemblance to the faulty, first generation Blu-ray transfers we've all come to know and loathe; a disappointment only compounded by frequent macroblocking, crush, occasionally severe smearing, persistent source noise, textureless faces and fabric, intrusive edge halos, and intermittent print damage. There are even a number of scenes in which McCanlies' gorgeous Texas skies are assaulted by vertical lines, swarms of artifacts, and squirrelly contrast wavering. At its worst, it's frankly enough to ruin the entire presentation. However, exterior shots seem to be the source of the most trouble. Interior sequences are far more acceptable, even if only marginally so. While noise reduction still takes its toll, detail is slightly sharper, blacks are more reasonably resolved, and the aforementioned anomalies are less pervasive. Inside or out, colors are more striking than ever, and skintones, though prone to flushing and waxiness, look more lifelike than they ever did in standard definition. In fact, compared to New Line's 2004 DVD, Warner's Blu-ray edition is noticeably more vibrant and stable. Still, don't be distracted by its finer qualities. It's painfully clear that the studio simply took the film's problematic DVD master and dropped it onto a roomy Blu-ray disc. Grain is gone, replaced by a soupy film that, frankly, has no business on a high definition release. Yes, Secondhand Lions is, at best, a third tier catalog title, but it deserves much better.
At least Secondhand Lions gets some sonic love, even if it's only of the technical variety. Packing a full-tilt Dolby TrueHD 6.1 surround track (that's right... 6.1), Warner has, at the very least, created a fairly immersive soundfield. The rear speakers are quite active, grabbing hold of the film's musical score, injecting ample environmental ambience into the experience, and allowing Walter's fantasy sequences to envelop the listener as aggressively as they envelop the kid himself. The only downside is that the majority of sounds littering the rear soundscape can also be found in the front speakers, meaning directionality is decidedly uninvolving and pans are more difficult to discern. Suffice to say, the track may take advantage of a 6.1 setup, but the sound design itself is rather two-dimensional, often valuing volume and impact over nuance and subtlety. Likewise, while dialogue is clean, intelligible, and well-prioritized, it also frequently suffers with hollow tones and tinny qualities that undermine the weight and warmth of the actors' voices. I'd expect such problems from a fifteen year old film, but Secondhand Lions is only six. Ah well. LFE output is strong and satisfying, acoustics are able-bodied, and dynamics, though frothy on occasion, are adequate. Decent at best, overpowering and blunt at worst, Warner's TrueHD track is a passable addition to this release.
The Blu-ray edition of Secondhand Lions arrives with the same, fairly generous supplemental package that was originally included on the New Line Platinum Series DVD. I wouldn't call the content engrossing, but it is extensive, offering a thorough overview of the film's production.
Secondhand Lions doesn't reinvent the genre wheel or rely on refined subtleties to leave its mark. McCanlies' debut is little more than a harmless family adventure, albeit one that distinguishes itself with the performances of two, wonderfully talented industry veterans. Alas, Warner's Blu-ray release offers little more than a defunct video transfer, a decent Dolby TrueHD 6.1 surround track, and a fairly fulfilling batch of special features. I'd suggest giving this one a rent or waiting to purchase it until it's on sale.
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