7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.6 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.3 |
A band of young boys find a treasure map and embark on a magical adventure.
Starring: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri GreenAdventure | 100% |
Family | 92% |
Comedy | 84% |
Coming of age | 31% |
Mystery | 1% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono
Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
Japanese available on Japanese menu settings
English SDH, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional)
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A joint effort between Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner, "The Goonies" premiered in the summer of 1985. Since then, it has grown into a cult picture with millions of dedicated fans insisting that it is the best kid movie ever made. "The Goonies" makes its debut on Blu-ray courtesy of Warner Brothers-UK. In English, with optional English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Korean, and Traditional Chinese subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The gang
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1, encoded with VC-1 and granted a 1080p transfer, Richard Donner's beloved The Goonies makes its debut on Blu-ray via Warner Brothers-UK.
Well, those outside of the Kingdom hoping for a solid release of The Goonies should not be disappointed by Warner's package. This is a clean, very natural looking, and free of artificial sharpening transfer. It certainly reveals a somewhat dated look but all of the basics appear to be intact - contrast is adequate, the color-scheme is natural, and the actual transfer appears free of specks, dust, and debris. This being said, those of you hoping for a sharp transfer with a strong popping look will be disappointed. The film certainly does not support such an appearance, and the Blu-ray transfer does not reveal such a modern look. In fact, during some of the poorly lit scenes (the cave footage in particular), the 1080p transfer enhances the grainy structure of The Goonies tremendously. With other words, the film reveals a type of dated appearance I would be enormously surprised to see mishandled in any future releases. On the other hand, where there is an adequate amount of inconsistent lighting, contrast appears strong, and detail impressive. Finally, I must note that when blown through a digital projector The Goonies retains a good, and overall, tight look. The picture does not break down and contrast, clarity, and color reproduction remain considerably strong. (Note: This is a region-free release, which you will be able to play in your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There are a number of audio options on this release: English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish: Dolby Digital 1.0, and English: Dolby Digital 2.0. For the purpose of this review, I opted for the English Doby TrueHD 5.1 mix.
Folks, this is where The Goonies benefits the most from this Blu-ray release: the audio department. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track Warner have provided is potent and very strong. There is a great deal of activity in the rear channels (the action in the cave offers all sorts of bells and whistles you are likely to have never heard on your SDVDs). From the water splashes to the explosions to the action at the ship, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix delivers. The dialog on the other hand is crystal clear and very easy to follow, and I did not detect and disturbing pop-ups, cracks, or hissings. The soundtrack by Dave Grusin is also well mixed with plenty of depth that anyone familiar with this film will appreciate. Frankly, Warner's audio treatment is very solid. Lastly, the disc also offers French and Spanish dubs. Optional English, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Korean, and Chinese subtitles are added up as well. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.
Note: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are perfectly playable on North American Blu-ray players and PS3s.
Commentary - in this hilarious commentary director Richard Donner, actors Jonathan Ke Quan (Data), Corey Feldman (Mouth), Sean Astin (Mikey), Kerri Green (Andy), Martha Plimpton (Stef), Jeff Cohen (Chunk), and Josh Brolin (Brand) recall their work on The Goonies, how specific scenes were shot, etc. In English, with optional English SDH, French, Dutch, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles.
Hidden Treasures - a pop-up video version (the director and cast occasionally show up in a small box in the right corner of the screen) of the audio commentary (114 min, 1080p).
The Making of The Goonies - a standard featurette, produced in 1985, in which Richard Donner and Steven Spielberg address the production process. Raw footage from the shooting of the film is also included. In English, with optional English SDH, French, Dutch, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. (7 min, 480/60i).
Deleted Scenes - a collection of deleted scenes. In English, with optional English SDH, French, Dutch, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. (7 min, 480/60i).
Music Video - Cindi Lauper's classic video "The Goonies R Good Enough". (13 min, 480/60i).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for The Goonies. (3 min, 480/60i).
It is difficult for me to criticize The Goonies. I know that it is a beloved by many film, and as far as I am concerned indicative of a time when cinema was a lot more exciting. There is also a veiled sense of innocence in it, which many films could not reproduce after the early 90s. From a purely technical point of view, The Goonies still delivers - the editing is great and so is the pacing, a factor I always thought was incredibly well handled. The story and acting, however, feel very dated. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Warner Brothers-UK, looks and sounds good. It is also Region-Free. RECOMMENDED.
Iconic Moments
1985
1985
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1985
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1985
1985
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1985
1985
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1985
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1985
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1985
1991
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2012
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2010
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