5.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
Back in the days when mobsters were larger than life, none lived bigger than Bobby, "Bats", "The Brick" and "Mouth". But now well into retirement, the old crew find themselves suddenly facing eviction from their run-down Miami Beach hotel - The Raj Mahal. That's when they decided there's only one thing left to do - turn back the clock and pull one last "hit" in order to save their home.
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Burt Reynolds, Dan Hedaya, Seymour Cassel, Carrie-Anne MossComedy | 100% |
Crime | 4% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
NOTE: 'The Crew' is currently available only in a bundle from Mill Creek Home Entertainment.
Sometimes, dreams come true.
For guys purported to be "wise," so-called "wise guys" sure do seem to regularly find themselves on the precipice of trouble. They operate outside
the law,
have no qualms about sending their enemies to sleep with the fishes, and they excel in finding oftentimes violent or otherwise undesirable solutions
to
their problems. Maybe their street smarts are enough to get them through the day, a week, several months, maybe even the primes of their lives,
but
what happens when they simply outgrow the skill level necessary to maintain a criminal operation? Or what if they decide to just leave it all behind
and retire someplace peaceful, sunny, warm, and away from the mayhem on the streets? Well, for some, the old ways never really
disappear,
they just settle onto the low-heat back burner where they simmer until needed again. Such is the story in The Crew, a generally delightful,
albeit rather predictable, little picture from Director Michael Dinner (TV's Justified) and Writer Barry Fanaro (Men in Black II) that tells the tale of four retired "wise guys" who
must
get back to their old habits for one last round of mayhem if they really want to leave their old lives behind once and for all.
The Crew's budget Blu-ray release does the film no visual favors. Mill Creek's high definition transfer is a bland, lifeless thing, not unwatchable by any means but certainly not the sort of brilliant, film-like image enjoyed by upper-tier and even higher mid-level Blu-ray discs. The transfer offers serviceable details at the increased Blu-ray resolution, but the picture certainly lacks an organic life to it. Grain seems wiped away, leaving behind a flat, pasty sort of image. Colors, likewise, lack brilliance and pinpoint accuracy. There's little range around the more subtle shades, leaving the film wanting for a more even palette. There's some very light scattered dirt and wear, but nothing that would warrant more than a mention. Some edge enhancement appears throughout, but not often very heavily. Banding and blocking are minimal. This is a watchable image, suitable given the rock-bottom pricing, but videophiles should probably stay away or prepare themselves ahead of time before diving in.
The Crew features a bland but generally effective, on a base level, DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. Mill Creek's sound presentation does just enough to get listeners through the film without any inconvenience. Dialogue is delivered firmly and with the sort of clarity, ease of delivery, and focus a basic listen demands. Still, the rest of the track plays disappointingly flat. Fair front-end spacing gives a slight sense of space, but sound effects struggle for even a hint of immersion and, oftentimes, raw clarity. An early rainstorm sounds more like a glob of sound more so than a natural element. An explosion, also early in the film, lacks punch, and a strip club scene later on fails to find much energy. All in all, it's a disappointing affair, but once again considering the bargain pricing it's hard to complain too much.
This Blu-ray release of The Crew contains no supplemental content.
The Crew doesn't set a new standard for "aged heroes" films, but it's an above-average little picture that's pleasing in every regard. It's not a showstopper but it is worth stopping and watching, if for no other reason than a very strong ensemble cast, strong even beyond the primary quartet of veteran actors manning the lead roles. Michael Dinner's film is a playful little slice of escapism that should satisfy a craving for simple, likable, largely thoughtless entertainment. Mill Creek's featureless Blu-ray offers midlevel video and audio. Rent it.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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